Call Before You Dig

Free locate resources are available so you can remain safe while digging near buried or underground utility lines.

Know What’s Below

Buried and underground utility lines can pose serious threats to your safety if you make accidental contact while digging or performing other work. Even small projects, like planting a shrub, require you to make advance arrangements to know what’s below.

The safest and only legal way to dig is to know what is below ground prior to digging, drilling, or excavating.

Use the free locating services available to you to mark buried or underground utility lines. Dig safe around electricity and buried power lines.

Colorado 811

How Far in Advance to Contact 811

Contact 811 a minimum of 5 business days prior to digging.

To call, dial 811 or 800.922.1987 to be automatically routed to your local call center.

To visit them online, go to their webpage here.

What Information is Needed?

Know your digging information ahead of time.

You’ll provide info about how to contact you, the exact area on the property where you’re planning to dig, your dig location’s county and nearest cross street, and what type of work you will be doing.

I Contacted 811, What Now?

You need to wait 5 days to allow utilities to respond to your request. We are notified by 811 about your intent to dig, then we send a locator to your dig location in approximately 2-3 working days.

We mark our underground facilities with red marking paint or red flags. A locate sketch will be left at your job site. These marks are good for 30 days. If the marks are no longer clear or if the project experiences delays, please request a re-locate on your property. It is your responsibility to keep track of these marks and to not destroy them.

Once all utilities have marked their buried lines, you are able to carefully dig around any utility marks or consider relocating projects that are close to buried utilities. We recommend hand digging or using a fiberglass shovel to dig within 18 inches on either side of the flags or painted lines.

Special Considerations

Utilities only locate buried public utility lines.

Help hiring a private locator can be found here.

Any electrical lines past your meter are owned by you, and is your responsibility. These may include power lines running to barns, garages, outdoor lighting, or from your transformer (green box or pedestal) to your home or business. We can only mark up to a meter of underground line if your meter is on a pedestal, and not on your house.

These additional buried lines should be located by a private locator who can ensure all underground lines are marked before you dig.

Call Before You Dig

Be sure to call 811 before you dig! Their locating services are entirely free and are the best resource for ensuring you dig safely around electricity and buried power lines.

Colorado 811