Weld County proclaims Groundwater Awareness Week; county lab highlights free well testing and new equipment

The Weld County Board of Commissioners on March 9 proclaimed March 8–14, 2026 as Groundwater Awareness Week and heard an overview of the county laboratory’s well‑testing services.

Katrina Olsen, lab manager for Weld County, told the board that the county’s laboratory staff of eight last year sampled drinking water for 19 entities and “ran over 11,000 tests on various types of water,” work she said helps residents make decisions about their well water. Olsen said the lab recently certified a new ICP‑MS instrument that “enables us to simultaneously analyze up to 25 metals in one water sample” and is partnering with Colorado State University on a survey of local well users to better target outreach.

The proclamation noted that private wells are not regulated at the federal or local level in Colorado and urged well owners to test and maintain their systems. The board encouraged residents to use county resources for testing, treatment and information about well maintenance.

Commissioners also took turns thanking lab staff for their work. Commissioner Pepper said her family depends on well water and appreciated the county service; Commissioner Maxi highlighted that free testing can allay residents’ concerns about nearby development; Commissioner Ross and Commissioner Buck also thanked the lab team for providing assurance to both well owners and water‑district customers.

The board directed no formal action beyond the proclamation. All five commissioners signed the proclamation and the board encouraged residents to annually test their well water and learn how to maintain and treat wells.