Why It Matters
Colorado is positioning itself as a testing ground for geothermal heating and cooling technology at scale. A successful deep-drilling project under a high school football field could unlock a renewable energy source for schools and other buildings across the state, reducing reliance on conventional heating systems and lowering operational costs.
What Happened
The Aspen School District completed a geothermal drill test that reached 1,000 feet beneath a high school football field, making it one of the deepest geothermal energy wells attempted for commercial use in Colorado. The project, conducted by construction consultants McKinstry and drillers PanTerra Energy, demonstrates the feasibility of ground-source geothermal heat pumps that circulate water through deep underground channels to access stable temperatures for heating and cooling buildings.
The drilling encountered its toughest conditions in the upper layers, where varied surface geology—described as “cobble”—slowed progress. Once the drill reached deeper bedrock, speed increased significantly. The school district plans to use the geothermal system to heat and cool school and administration buildings across its campus, with funding from federal grants, state grants, state tax credits, and a local bond issue.
By the Numbers
1,000 feet — depth of the Aspen drill test
500 feet — typical depth limit of most Colorado commercial-scale geothermal projects
55 degrees — temperature of water circulating from underground in winter; also the base temperature used for summer cooling
Zero degrees — winter surface temperature in Aspen
Zoom Out
Geothermal energy remains a research priority for Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Energy Office. The Aspen project follows only one other Colorado effort—in the Hayden area—that has targeted the 1,000-foot depth for geothermal extraction. The deeper boreholes access more stable and warmer base temperatures than shallower wells, a key advantage for long-term energy efficiency in climates with harsh winters and significant cooling demands.
What’s Next
The Aspen School District’s success with the geothermal system will likely inform how other Colorado schools and public facilities evaluate similar deep-drilling projects. As the state continues to develop geothermal infrastructure, additional pilot projects could follow, potentially expanding the technology’s use across the education and public-buildings sector.