Golden Area, Colorado, Parts of Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, and Park Counties
The most common soil here is Ratake, on about 5% of the land: a channery loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Nunn and Herbman come next.
About 92% of the land drains well, and 2% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 90% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 76% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 66% 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 Golden Area, Colorado, Parts of Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, and Park Counties, 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 D (very slow infiltration, high 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 Golden Area, Colorado, Parts of Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, and Park Counties. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rogert, very stony-Herbman-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 70 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Grimstone-Hiwan-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ratake-Cathedral-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 60 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Herbman-Sprucedale-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Legault-Tolvar-Rock outcrop complex, 50 to 70 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ratake-Lininger stony sandy loams, 30 to 60 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Legault-Hiwan stony loamy sands, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nunn-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Raleigh very gravelly sandy loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 7K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Resort-Sphinx very gravelly sandy loams, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 7K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nunn-Urban land complex, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop, igneous and metamorphic | 6K | D | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Urban land-Ciancio-Englewood complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Standley-Nunn gravelly clay loams, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Troutdale-Sprucedale gravelly sandy loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Cathedral-Ratake complex, 50 to 100 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kittredge-Earcree complex, 9 to 20 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Denver-Urban land complex, 2 to 5 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lininger-Ratake complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | C | 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
About 76% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 90% 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.