(DENVER) — The Division of Oil and Public Safety (OPS) at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) announced today its first-ever call for grant applications to distribute funds from the Damage Prevention Fund.
The Damage Prevention Fund consists of fines collected from parties who violated the Excavation Requirements Law. These funds are repurposed for educational programming to prevent underground facility damage and to keep workers and the public safe. The Division’s Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission oversees the Damage Prevention Fund and will evaluate the grant applications to select the awardees.
“This year the Safety Commission is looking to distribute up to $20,000 to people and organizations who develop and implement educational training or materials that promote safe digging practices,” said OPS Division Director Mahesh Albuquerque. “This is the first year we’re doing this, and we’re looking forward to reviewing the creative ways our community partners will help us keep Coloradans safe by reminding them to call 8-1-1 before starting any excavation or digging project.”
To apply for a Damage Prevention Fund grant, go to colorado.gov/safetycommission to access the grant application. Completed grant applications, along with the required supporting documentation, must be submitted by October 11, 2024 to be considered.
Senate Bill 18-167 added the Safety Commission to the Excavation Requirements Law to enforce the law by reviewing complaints of alleged violations and developing best practices. The Safety Commission has been working diligently to accomplish these goals since they began their work in January 2019.
CDLE’s Division of Oil and Public Safety 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.
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