Inground pool cost in Colorado
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (450 sq ft)
- $36,400 – $114,000
- Per sq ft
- $81 – $252
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $74,500
- Metros covered
- 7
Across Colorado, an inground pool costs about $36,400 to $114,000 for 450 sq ft. Statewide, that midpoint is 1% above the US figure of $74,500. Construction laborers earn a median $23.03 an hour in Colorado (US: $22.66).
Inside Colorado, the metros we cover range from $72,100 (Grand Junction) to $77,800 (Denver) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
Estimate your inground pool cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Colorado (statewide), standard level
$59,700 to $90,600
About $132 to $201 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 53% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,800 | $42,400 |
| Labor | $31,700 | $48,000 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $250 |
| Total | $59,700 | $90,600 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Colorado
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,900 | $35,100 | $53,300 | 47% |
| Labor | $19,500 | $39,800 | $60,200 | 53% |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $210 | $310 | 0% |
| Total | $36,400 | $75,100 | $114,000 | 100% |
Inground pool cost by metro in Colorado
2 of the 7 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $75,100, and the top-to-bottom gap is 8%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (450 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | $37,700 – $118,000 | $77,800 | +4% |
| Boulder, CO | $36,800 – $115,000 | $76,000 | +1% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $36,200 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −1% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $35,600 – $111,000 | $73,400 | −2% |
| Pueblo, CO | $35,500 – $111,000 | $73,200 | −3% |
| Greeley, CO | $35,300 – $110,000 | $72,700 | −3% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $35,000 – $109,000 | $72,100 | −4% |
How Colorado compares with nearby states
Colorado ranks 24 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for inground pool, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $102,500 and the cheapest Arkansas at $64,300, both for 450 sq ft at the midpoint. Colorado sits at $75,100. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 120 miles away | $35,300 – $110,000 | $72,700 | −3% |
| New Mexico | 340 miles away | $32,200 – $100,500 | $66,400 | −12% |
| Utah | 410 miles away | $35,300 – $110,500 | $72,800 | −3% |
| South Dakota | 440 miles away | $34,600 – $108,000 | $71,300 | −5% |
| Kansas | 450 miles away | $33,800 – $105,500 | $69,700 | −7% |
What construction laborers and the other trades earn in Colorado
Colorado's labor line is priced from 4 trades, each compared with its US median wage. After weighting by each trade's share of the work, the state comes out at 1.03 times the national level.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $23.03 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $20.53 and $27.25 an hour. BLS counts 18,680 of them working in the state, 65.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $30.11 an hour, 5% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $27.74 and $35.42 an hour. About 11,700 work in the state. That is 40.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 20%) the local median is $31.37 an hour, which is 5% above the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $24.63 and $36.12 an hour. BLS counts 870 of them working in the state, 3.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is about average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $30.40 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $25.18 and $37.86 an hour. About 10,080 work in the state. That is 35.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for construction laborers ($27.25 an hour) would add about $2,900 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($20.53) would take off about $1,700. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 2,873,900 jobs across Colorado (May 2025), which is 1.8% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $20.53 | $23.03 | $27.25 | $22.66 | 1.02 | state |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $27.74 | $30.11 | $35.42 | $28.78 | 1.05 | state |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $24.63 | $31.37 | $36.12 | $29.87 | 1.05 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $25.18 | $30.40 | $37.86 | $30.67 | 0.99 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.03 | |||||
Other Colorado jobs that often go with inground pool
Each project weights the trades differently, so Colorado's wage level does not push every price by the same amount. Compared with the US midpoint, paver patio is +3% and aluminum fence level.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,800 – $11,300 | level |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,100 – $5,650 | +3% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,100 | +2% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,600 – $15,300 | +1% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $620 – $2,150 | +3% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,200 – $13,600 | +1% |
Why two Colorado quotes can differ
Pool type
Vinyl pools are $25,000-$65,000, fiberglass $45,000-$100,000, and concrete or gunite $50,000-$120,000 (HomeGuide).
Maintenance
Pool maintenance is $80-$150 a month; concrete pools also need an acid wash every 3-5 years at $300-$1,000.
Permit
A building permit for a pool is $100-$300 and contractors often include it. Many cities add plumbing and electrical permits.
When Colorado weather lets you install
Weather decides when pouring concrete can happen, and Colorado is not uniform. The table uses NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals from the weather station nearest each metro we cover, and counts the months that are neither cold nor hot enough to complicate the job.
Colorado Springs has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in Colorado at 5 months (May through September); Pueblo has the shortest at 3 (May through June and September). Rainfall runs from 9 inches a year in Grand Junction to 21 inches in Boulder.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 18 | 90 | 15 | 4: May through June and August through September |
| Colorado Springs | 19 | 87 | 16 | 5: May through September |
| Boulder | 22 | 88 | 21 | 5: May through September |
| Fort Collins | 18 | 87 | 16 | 5: May through September |
| Greeley | 18 | 92 | 15 | 4: May through June and August through September |
| Grand Junction | 17 | 95 | 9 | 3: May through June and September |
| Pueblo | 15 | 93 | 12 | 3: May through June and September |
Basic, standard or premium: Colorado prices
Bands overlap on purpose, since a good standard job can cost as much as a light premium one. Below are the three bands for the default size, then a grid from small pool (400 sq ft) to large (800 sq ft).
Basic
$36,400 to $67,400
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$59,700 to $90,600
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$82,900 to $114,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $32,400 – $59,900 | $53,100 – $80,600 | $73,700 – $101,000 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $41,500 – $76,700 | $67,900 – $103,000 | $94,300 – $129,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $64,700 – $119,500 | $106,000 – $161,000 | $147,000 – $202,000 |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $59,700 to $90,600 for Colorado is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
The report lays out the inground pool numbers for Colorado line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Inground pool in Colorado: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Colorado?
$36,400 to $114,000 for 450 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Colorado can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Colorado is cheapest for inground pool?
Grand Junction at about $72,100 (midpoint, 450 sq ft). The priciest is Denver at $77,800.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Colorado than the US average?
It is 1% more expensive: $75,100 against $74,500 for 450 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Colorado?
About 53% ($39,800). Materials are 47%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.03x the national wage level.
+What do construction laborers earn in Colorado?
The BLS statewide median is $23.03 an hour, against $22.66 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.53 to $27.25.
+Where does Colorado rank for inground pool costs?
24th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $75,100 for 450 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Colorado?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $36,400 to $67,400 and premium work $82,900 to $114,000. Basic means: vinyl-liner pool, small size. Premium means: concrete or gunite, large with custom features.
+Does the season matter for inground pool in Colorado?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the Colorado metros we cover, Colorado Springs has the most comfortable months (5 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
Inground pool by city in Colorado
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does An Inground Pool Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = 48% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range 'Outdoor Living' category split. It is a category average, not a pool-specific one, so read the pool materials line loosely.