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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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 9nenIN3Lkc7BY6L8xH9R9Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000276720-11-000005.txt : 20110113
<SEC-HEADER>0000276720-11-000005.hdr.sgml : 20110113
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20110113115543
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000276720-11-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20110111
FILED AS OF DATE:		20110113
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20110113

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HOWELL PETER C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001210427

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-08814
		FILM NUMBER:		11526923

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O LIBBEY INC
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 10060
		CITY:			TOLEDO
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43699-0060

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PURE CYCLE CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000276720
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WATER SUPPLY [4941]
		IRS NUMBER:				840705083
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CO
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0831

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 E 8TH AVE
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80203
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3032923456

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 E 8TH AVE
		CITY:			DENVER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80203
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-01-11</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000276720</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PURE CYCLE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>pcyo</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001210427</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HOWELL PETER C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O LIBBEY INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P O BOX 10060</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TOLEDO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>43699-0060</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>non-statutory stock option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>3.67</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-01-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2012-01-11</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2021-01-11</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <remarks>Pursuant to a Power of Attorney filed as Exhibit 24 to Form 4/A filed with the Commission on May 16, 2005.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Peter Howell, by Mark W. Harding as Attorney-in-Kind (see Remarks)</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-01-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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