El Paso County Area, Colorado
The most common soil here is Truckton, on about 9% of the land: a coarse sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Blakeland and Bresser come next.
About 98% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 52% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 19% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 15% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in El Paso County Area, Colorado, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in El Paso County Area, Colorado. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blakeland loamy sand, 1 to 9 percent slopes | 73K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Truckton sandy loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 73K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Valent sand, 1 to 12 percent slopes, dry | 63K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Bresser sandy loam, cool, 3 to 5 percent slopes | 43K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Olney sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Ascalon sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Truckton sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 29K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Ascalon sandy loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Columbine gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 27K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ellicott loamy coarse sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 26K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bresser sandy loam, cool, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Ustic Torrifluvents, loamy | 24K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Wigton loamy sand, 1 to 8 percent slopes | 23K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Bijou sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 22K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Midway-Razor clay loams, dry, 1 to 18 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Vonid sandy loam, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 21K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Kettle gravelly loamy sand, 8 to 40 percent slopes | 20K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Area not surveyed, access denied | 20K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Pring coarse sandy loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Schamber-Razor complex, 8 to 50 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
Most soils are generally favorable for residential construction. Standard foundations are usually viable, though site-specific evaluation is always recommended.
Septic Systems
About 52% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.