Off-grid site report
Huerfano County, CO
37.7539, -104.8269 · 6,008 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Huerfano County, CO, not legal advice and not a guarantee. Rules change, and the deciding facts on any specific parcel (setbacks, perc results, overlay districts, deed restrictions, road frontage) live at the county or town office, not in any database. Before you buy land or build, confirm the current rules directly with the local zoning and health offices - the sources on this page tell you exactly who to call.
The local rulesHuerfano County, CO
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyHuerfano County has countywide zoning administered by the county's Land Use and Building department, with agricultural, homestead/rural-residential, commercial, and industrial districts. Off-grid guides describe it as relatively relaxed for rural parcels, but that's not an official county policy statement. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedThe county requires permanent residences to have water, septic, plumbing, radon mitigation and electricity installed, and to be on a foundation, which excludes RVs and wheeled tiny homes as permanent housing. Vacant land cannot get an address until a home is completed. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyThe Land Use and Building department issues permits and inspects construction; alternative building methods need an engineer's stamp and Building Authority approval, and owner-builder permits are available to experienced builders. Larger foundations need a geotechnical evaluation per county resolution. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedSeptic (OWTS) permitting is handled by the Las Animas-Huerfano Counties District Health Department, not the county land use office, under state Regulation 43 including a Transfer of Title program, with licensed installers required. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo official Huerfano County or LAHCDHD page confirming a local greywater program was found, even though the state's Regulation 86 allows counties to opt in. Ask LAHCDHD directly for current status.
Rainwater harvesting
RestrictedNo county-specific rainwater ordinance was found, so Colorado's limited statewide rainwater collection allowance, set by the state, appears to apply by default.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedWells are permitted and regulated by the Colorado Division of Water Resources (State Engineer), and wells on lots under 35 acres are typically limited to indoor household use only, with no confirmed Huerfano-specific exemption. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyThere's no requirement to connect to a public utility grid, but county building rules require water, septic, plumbing and electrical systems to be installed in a permanent home, whether off-grid or grid-supplied. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 6.1 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 5.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,720 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 18 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 101 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,596 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- May 7 to Oct 2
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center - 10.6 mi
- Fire station
Fire Station 1 - 9.1 mi
- Hardware store
Walsenburg Lumber - 9.5 mi
- Grocery
First Choice Market - 8.5 mi
From OpenStreetMap. Road miles will be longer, often much longer in hill country.
Plan this spot
These open with this location's real numbers already filled in (ZIP 81089).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Huerfano County, CO?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →Share or save this report:New report
Sources: US Census Bureau geocoder; NLR PVWatts v8 (solar); NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 climate normals (nearest station) or Open-Meteo (ZIP-centroid) for weather; Open-Elevation; OpenStreetMap contributors. Public data retrieved Aug 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.