How much does an inground pool cost in Colorado?

Price ranges by city

Medium pool (14×28 fiberglass or 15×30 gunite), basic equipment, 600 sq ft concrete deck. Ranges from our cost model.

Licensing is local in Colorado

Colorado does not license general or pool contractors at the state level. Denver and most Front Range cities and counties issue their own contractor licenses, and the requirements differ from one jurisdiction to the next, so ask the builder which local licenses they hold and confirm with the building department. The electrician and plumber on the job must hold Colorado state licenses, which you can look up through the Department of Regulatory Agencies.

Check a certificate of liability insurance and workers' compensation, references from recent builds, and how long the company has operated locally. poolcostguide.com is not a contractor and does not perform construction.

• Colorado DORA license lookup

Barrier, permit and inspection basics

Pool barrier rules in Colorado come from the building code each city or county adopts. Denver and its suburbs enforce the residential pool barrier provisions: typically a 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates, plus door alarms or self-closing doors where the house forms part of the barrier. Confirm the local amendments before design.

Every inground pool needs a building permit from the city or county, plus electrical and plumbing permits, and most Front Range jurisdictions want a soils report and engineered drawings with the application. Expect inspections at excavation and steel, plumbing and electrical rough-in, bonding, and a final barrier check. Fees are set locally and are usually valuation-based.

Expansive soils, season and timing

Bentonite and other expansive clays are common along the Front Range and are the main reason Denver pool shells are engineered. The soils report, structural engineering and drainage details add cost up front and are worth asking about in every bid. The construction window runs roughly April through October, with shotcrete and plaster needing frost-free nights, so most pools are contracted in fall or winter and dug in spring.

Frequently asked

What is the average cost of a pool in Denver?

Our model puts a medium gunite pool with basic equipment and a modest deck a little above the national range, reflecting Denver labor costs, before soil engineering, a heater and a cover. Use the estimator for a ZIP-level range.

Do pool builders need a license in Colorado?

Not from the state. Licensing is municipal, so check the builder's license with your city or county building department, and confirm the electrician and plumber hold Colorado state licenses.

Is a pool fence required in Colorado?

Yes, under the building code adopted by your city or county: typically a 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates, plus door alarms or self-closing doors where the house is part of the barrier.

Why do Denver pools need a soils report?

Expansive clay is common along the Front Range. A soils report lets the engineer design the shell and drainage so the pool and deck do not heave or crack as the clay swells and shrinks.

When is the best time to sign a pool contract in Colorado?

Fall or winter. Spring slots fill early, permits and engineering take time, and a winter contract is usually dug in April and swimmable by early summer.