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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001204127-03-000002.txt : 20030915
<SEC-HEADER>0001204127-03-000002.hdr.sgml : 20030915
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030915192640
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001204127-03-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030912
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030915

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ADA-ES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001223112
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MISCELLANEOUS CHEMICAL PRODUCTS [2890]
		IRS NUMBER:				841457335
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CO
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8100 SOUTHPARK WAY B
		CITY:			LITTLETON
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80120

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCKINNIES MARK H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001204127

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-50216
		FILM NUMBER:		03896567

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8100 SOUTH PARK WAY
		STREET 2:		B-2
		CITY:			LITTLETON
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80120
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3037341727

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8100 SOUTH PARK WAY
		STREET 2:		B-2
		CITY:			LITTLETON
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80120
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-09-12</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001223112</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ADA-ES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>n/a</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001204127</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MCKINNIES MARK H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>8100 SOUTH PARK WAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>B-2</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LITTLETON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80120</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>CFO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, no par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-09-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>31961</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>31961</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>2.5</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2000-12-07</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2005-12-07</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock, no par value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>14548</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>14548</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares acquired by dividend from parent company, Earth Sciences, Inc.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Of the amount shown 30,491 are held in the pension fund account of Mr. McKinnies</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">No amounts were paid for the securities.  See footnote #1.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>MArk H. McKinnies</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-09-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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