Gas tank water heater replacement cost in Denver, CO
Installed, 50 gallon, standard vent
A typical gas water heater (50 gallon, standard vent) costs about $2,000 installed in the Denver area, about the same as the national figure, because plumbers here earn a median $31 an hour against $31 nationally.
Prices by size in Denver
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 gallon, standard vent | $1,750 | $1,900 | $2,350 | $1,900 |
| 50 gallon, standard vent | $1,800 | $2,000 | $2,500 | $2,000 |
| 75 gallon, standard vent | $2,550 | $2,800 | $3,250 | $2,800 |
| 40 gallon, power vent | $2,500 | $2,750 | $3,150 | $2,750 |
| 50 gallon, power vent | $2,700 | $2,850 | $3,350 | $2,850 |
Local labor: what plumbers earn here
| Hourly wage | Denver metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $29 | $24 |
| Median | $31 | $31 |
| 75th percentile | $39 | $41 |
The Denver market
Denver's Community Planning and Development offers quick permits for single-family homes and duplexes covering water heaters, residential A/C, forced-air heating systems and boilers. Heat pumps are not named. Since March 1, 2023, select gas-fired equipment is no longer eligible for a quick permit, and the city lists added requirements when replacing a gas-fired water heater or an air conditioning unit, so read the Quick Permits page before you hire. Quick permits are inspected only in the field, where the inspector verifies the replacement meets current energy code efficiency. A licensed contractor may pull the permit, or an owner-occupant who passes a trade exam and lives in the home for at least a year after the work. Fees were not found. EIA found gas heats water in 73% of Colorado homes. Aurora, Centennial and the suburbs follow their own codes.
Gas tanks are the norm across Denver, so a like-for-like quote usually means another gas unit. At this altitude, gas appliances need setup that follows the manufacturer's instructions for elevation. Ask the installer to confirm the new tank is configured for Denver. Ask whether the vent connector and gas shutoff will be replaced, and whether an expansion tank is included. Get the efficiency rating and tank size written on the quote.
Permits in Denver
| Permit for this job | Yes (quick permit, plumbing and mechanical, for single-family/duplex) (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
| Who can pull it | Licensed contractor, or owner-occupant of a single-family home who passes a trade exam (state license substitutes only for plumbing/electrical) |
| Inspection | Yes (field inspection; efficiency verified) |
Rebates in Colorado
HEAR: paused. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: Colorado Energy Office, checked October 13, 2026.
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Denver
- Gas tankless water heater
- Gas furnace
- Central air conditioner
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Gas tank water heater cost in other metros
Sources
- Denver Community Planning and Development: Quick permits
- Denver: Homeowner permits
- Colorado Energy Office: Home energy rebates
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO (47-2152 plumbers)
- DOE Consumer Water Heaters Final Rule TSD (Apr 2024), Table 8.2.7 (2022$); labor share from App. 8D (3.75 h + trip, $420 of $791)