Governor Jared Polis Declares April 2026 'Dig Safely Month'

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Submitted by [user:fieldfirstname] March 31, 2026 - Governor Jared Polis has declared April 2026 as "Dig Safely Month" in Colorado. This annual observance highlights the critical importance of safe digging practices and marks the 40th anniversary of Colorado 811, the state's One-Call Notification System. The annual tradition celebrated at the start of Spring serves as a crucial reminder for all excavators, contractors and property owners that state law requires them to contact 811 before starting any digging project.

“Before everyone starts their warm weather projects around the house, it’s important to remember to protect yourself, your home, your neighbors and critical underground infrastructure by first contacting 811,” said Mahesh Albuquerque, director of the Division of Oil and Public Safety at CDLE. “We’ve seen the impact safe digging initiatives can have on communities thanks to our oversight of the Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission, and this annual tradition reinforces our commitment to reducing preventable damage.”

The Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s Division of Oil and Public Safety develops best practices and reviews alleged violations of the One-Call Law. The Damage Prevention Fund grew to over $336,626 in 2025, supporting community support and safety initiatives. The fund’s second round of grant applications is currently open, offering $20,000 to efforts that encourage and educate the public on safe digging practices. Applications must be submitted via Bidnet by April 24, 2026 to be considered.

Colorado 811, established in 1986, is the fast, easy, and comprehensive way to ensure that underground utilities are properly marked before any excavation begins. The key message remains: “Know what’s below, contact 811 before you dig.”

“Damages to underground utility lines cost the U.S. approximately $30 billion per year. The leading cause of damages and accidents is not calling the 811 service to have underground utility lines marked before excavation. Even shallow, small projects—such as planting shrubs, installing mailboxes, or building fences—can strike utility lines located just inches below the surface. Underground lines can shift or become shallow over time, making contacting 811 necessary for all excavation even if you think the location of lines are known from previous projects,” said Claudia Randall, Executive Director of Colorado 811. “Striking a utility line can cause dangerous, or fatal situations, including electrical shock or gas explosions. Always contact 811 at least three days before you plan to start digging to prevent injury or damage to underground lines. It’s free! It’s fast! And it’s the law!”

Despite decades of outreach, accidental utility strikes continue to pose serious risks to public safety and infrastructure. According to the most recently updated state data:

• 43% of 9-1-1 center service disruptions in 2025 were caused by accidental cuts of telecommunications lines, which could be avoided by contacting 811.
• Approximately 60% of damage to gas pipelines in Colorado is due to excavation activities, highlighting the extreme risk of digging without a locate request.
• In 2024, there were 198 underground utility facility damages in Colorado. No notification to 811 accounted for 21% of reported damages in 2024, a consistent trend since 2018. “Digging before knowing the location of underground pipes and cables can cause serious injuries and disrupt critical infrastructure that we rely on for telecommunications and energy. Contacting 811 before you dig can save time, prevent environmental or property damage and costly repairs,” said PUC Director Rebecca White. “Dig Safely Month is a great reminder to keep yourself and the public safe before breaking ground on any project.”

What Can You Do?

Call 811 or visit Colorado811.org a minimum of three business days before starting any excavation project. Colorado 811 will notify the public utilities in your dig area, who will send a locator to mark the location of the public underground utility lines - Colorado 811 does not locate private utility lines such as sprinkler system lines or electric fences. The 811 service is completely free. 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

Mandatory Best Practices for Digging:

All parties involved in excavation must adhere to mandatory practices to avoid violations, which include:

• Respect the Tolerance Zone: No mechanical excavation is permitted within the defined tolerance zone (typically 18 inches horizontally from each side of the facility mark).
• Mandatory Potholing: Hand digging or vacuum excavation (potholing) must be used to physically expose the facility before proceeding with mechanical means in the area of the utility. 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 and reimbursement of cleanup costs to qualifying storage tank owners and operators. 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. Learn more at ops.colorado.gov.

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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