A concrete patio in Colorado Springs should sit on a compacted aggregate base, slope away from the house, and have control joints plus an isolation joint at the foundation. On expansive clay, keeping sprinkler water and roof runoff out from under the slab is just as important. Check HOA rules and Pikes Peak Regional Building Department requirements for covered patios.
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With mountain views, a lot of sunny days and cool evenings, a backyard patio gets real use in Colorado Springs. A poured concrete patio can be a simple slab off the back door or a larger space with steps, a fire pit area and a decorative finish. What makes it last here is the same either way: control of the water under it, a well-prepared base, and joints that let it move without breaking up.
Planning the patio
- Size for how you'll use it. Lay out the table, grill or seating you plan to use and leave room to walk around it.
- Sun and wind. High-altitude sun is strong. A west-facing slab can be hot in the afternoon, and many yards here catch steady wind. Shade structures, lighter colors and placement all affect comfort.
- Slope and access. Many lots on the west side and in the foothills slope noticeably, which can mean steps, a retaining edge or a pump to get concrete into the backyard.
- Future plans. If you might add a pergola, covered roof, hot tub or outdoor kitchen, say so now. Posts and heavier loads may need footings, and roofed structures generally need a building permit through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department in the communities it serves.
Water and swelling soil
Patios sit right next to the house, which is where expansive clay causes the most trouble. Colorado State University Extension advises grading so water drains away from the house, keeping sprinklers and thirsty plantings back from the foundation, and leaving downspout extensions in place. A patio should slope slightly away from the house, and the water it sheds needs somewhere to go other than the soil under the slab or against the foundation. Sprinkler heads that spray the slab edge are a common, fixable cause of heaving.
Base, thickness and joints
Patios are commonly about four inches thick over a compacted aggregate base. Soil near the foundation is often backfill from when the house was built and may settle or swell differently from the rest of the yard. Control joints divide the slab into roughly square panels so shrinkage cracks follow the joints. Where the patio meets the house, an isolation joint keeps the slab from binding against the foundation as either one moves.
Finish options
- Broom finish: simple, economical and gives good traction when snow melts on it.
- Exposed aggregate: the surface paste is washed off to reveal the stone, giving texture and grip.
- Stamped or colored concrete: patterned to look like flagstone, slate or brick. See our stamped and decorative concrete page.
- Smooth trowel: clean looking, but slick when wet or icy, so it's less common outdoors.
Permits, HOAs and metro districts
Whether a ground-level patio needs a permit varies, and covered patios almost always do. Many newer neighborhoods around Colorado Springs, especially in the north and east, have HOA or covenant rules on hardscape, colors and drainage. Get approval in writing before the contractor schedules the pour.
Concrete or pavers?
Poured concrete is often less expensive up front and easier to shovel. Pavers can be lifted and reset if clay pushes them around, which some homeowners like here. Both depend on a properly prepared base, so compare that part of each quote.
Questions to ask
- How will the patio drain, and where will the water go?
- What base material and depth are included, and how will you handle backfill near the house?
- Is the mix air-entrained for freeze-thaw?
- How will you get concrete to the backyard and protect the yard?
Ready to plan it? Request a patio contractor and share a photo of the space.
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Frequently asked questions
How thick should a patio be in Colorado Springs?
Patios are commonly about four inches thick over a compacted aggregate base. Areas that will hold a hot tub, outdoor kitchen or roof posts may need extra thickness or footings, so tell the contractor about future plans.
Do I need a permit for a concrete patio?
A ground-level slab often doesn't need a building permit, but a covered patio or attached roof generally does through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. HOAs and metro districts may also require approval. Confirm before you schedule the pour.
Why does my patio tilt toward the house?
Common causes are backfill near the foundation settling, or clay under part of the slab swelling from sprinkler water or runoff. A contractor can tell whether lifting, mudjacking or replacement with better drainage makes sense.
Sources and further reading
- American Concrete Institute (ACI)
- Portland Cement Association (PCA)
- Colorado Geological Survey: expansive soil
- Colorado Geological Survey seminar paper on Colorado Springs and Pueblo area soils
- CSU Extension PlantTalk: Expansive Soils
- Pikes Peak Regional Building Department
- PPRBD contractor license and registration types
- PPRBD basic design information (snow loads)
- City of Colorado Springs: Engineering, Inspections, Permitting and Fees
- El Paso County Public Works: Work in the Right-of-Way Permit FAQ
- City of Manitou Springs: CGS debris flow map
- Colorado Springs Utilities: 811 before you dig
- Colorado 811: homeowners