Elbert County, Colorado, Western Part
The most common soil here is Bresser, on about 26% of the land: a sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Cushman and Truckton come next.
About 96% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 45% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 17% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 6% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 28% 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 Elbert County, Colorado, Western Part, 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Elbert County, Colorado, Western Part. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bresser sandy loam, cool, 5 to 9 percent slopes | 114K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bresser-Truckton sandy loams, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 69K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Cushman-Ascalon complex, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 40K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cushman-Kutch complex, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nunn clay loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kutch clay loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes | 24K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bresser sandy loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Not limited |
| Wiley-Baca loams, 4 to 8 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bresser-Stapleton sandy loams, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Weld loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 18K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Haplustolls, loamy, nearly level* | 18K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peyton-Elbeth sandy loams, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Bresser-Cushman complex, 4 to 20 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kutch-Louviers complex, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Renohill-Louviers complex, 8 to 25 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Haplustolls, moderately coarse, nearly level* | 12K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Truckton sandy loam, 3 to 9 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Baca-Wiley loams, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Brussett loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ascalon sandy loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat 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 45% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
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.