(DENVER) — The Division of Oil and Public Safety (OPS) at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) join Colorado 811 to celebrate the month of April as Dig Safely Month. In a proclamation signed by Governor Jared Polis, Dig Safely Month aims to promote safe digging practices as we head into Spring and remind Coloradans to call Colorado 811 before they start their projects, however minor they may seem.
“Dig Safely Month is celebrated every year, and it’s an important reminder to protect yourself, your home, your neighbors and critical underground infrastructure before you take out your shovels,” said Mahesh Albuquerque, director of the Division of Oil and Public Safety at CDLE. “Through our oversight of the Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission, we’re proud to work closely with Colorado 811 and the impact their services have on our communities.”
According to the Colorado 811 2023 Colorado Underground Utility Damage Report, Colorado saw an increase of 144,000 more locate request tickets in 2023 than in 2022. That same timeframe saw an 18% decrease in total underground facility damages in Colorado from 2022 to 2023.
“Damages to underground utility lines cost the U.S. approximately $30 billion per year. The number one reason why these damages occur is because 811 was not contacted to have public utility lines marked before digging activity occurred,” said Claudia Randall, Executive Director of Colorado 811. “Colorado’s Dig Season” is weather-dependent, and most residential excavation activities occur between March and October of each year. Now is the time to remind everyone of the danger associated with hitting a buried public utility line—in some instances, lines are located only a couple of feet below the surface. Even if you are just planting a bush or a tree, contact 811 to prevent injury or damage to underground lines. It’s free! It’s fast! And it’s a law!”
State law requires excavators, contractors and property owners to call 811 before starting to dig for any reason. Coloradans can also visit co811.org to request marking the locations of public underground utilities that may be buried at their dig site.
Colorado 811 is a free service that ensures public utilities will be marked, usually within a 48-hour window. Markings will be placed via paint or flags. The following colors indicate what type of public utility is below:
- Red = Electric
- Yellow = Gas
- Blue = Potable Water
- Orange = Communication lines such as cable TV or Internet
- Purple = Reclaimed Water, Irrigation and Slurry Lines
- Green = Sewers and Drain lines
- White = Proposed excavation
- Pink = Temporary Survey Markings
About the Division of Oil and Public Safety
The Division of Oil and Public Safety (OPS) is responsible for a variety of regulatory functions related to environmental and consumer protection and public safety. Program oversight includes amusement rides and devices, explosives use and storage, boilers, conveyances, fuel products, underground and above-ground petroleum storage tanks, cleanup of petroleum spills, reimbursement of cleanup costs to qualifying storage tank owners and operators, and administration of the oversight committee for underground facilities. The division’s oversight also includes the Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission and Fund, which includes enforcement oversight for Colorado 811. The division is funded by cash funds and federal funding.
About the Colorado Public Utilities Commission
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) serves the public interest by effectively regulating utilities and facilities so that the people of Colorado receive safe, reliable, and reasonably priced services consistent with the economic, environmental, and social values of our state. Learn more at puc.colorado.gov.
About Colorado 811
Established in 1986, Colorado 811 is the state’s exclusive Utility Notification Center, providing free and fast access to identifying the location of public underground utility lines. Colorado 811’s communication services help prevent damage, keep people safe, and ensure essential networks run uninterrupted. For more information, visit www.colorado811.org.
Colorado 811 DOES NOT perform utility marking and locating services. Rather, the organization serves as the authorized One-Call Communication Association easily linking public Utility Owners and anyone planning to dig in the state by quickly and accurately relaying requests for the timely location services of underground public utilities. Centralizing communication through Colorado 811 helps protect the state’s critical underground infrastructure and keeps people safe. Educating the public on safe excavation practices through dedicated training, grassroots events, and other services is a central component of Colorado 811’s mission.
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