8/11 is 811 Day!
Not contacting 811 before digging is the #1 reason buried utility lines are struck and damaged – and each damage can disrupt critical utility services, or cause injuries or fatalities. 811 is free, fast and the foundation of every safe digging project!
What projects qualify?
💡 Did you know that any project that involves digging 6” or deeper requires a call?
✅ Digging trenches, foundations, or drainage systems
✅ Installing fence posts, mailbox posts, deck footings, retaining walls, or irrigation systems
✅ Planting trees or shrubs, or installing decorative landscape features
✅ Grading land, re‑surfacing lawns, or any mechanized earth-moving activity
✅ Removing building slabs, structures, or hardscaping that require soil disturbance
✅ Drilling, boring, test pitting, or pile-driving
Always remember to contact 811 BEFORE you dig.
Contacting 811 is the most important step in planting your garden, installing a sprinkler system, or any other project that requires digging. Buried utilities are everywhere, so digging at any depth (even as shallow as 6 inches) requires a locate. Digging without one is dangerous and can damage electric, gas, water, sewer, and internet lines.
Ready to start safe digging?
- Visit www.co811.org and request a locate through iDig811
- or call 811 at least three business days before your planned digging project and 811 will notify the utility companies in your area.
Once your utilities are located, avoid digging within 18 inches of the marks to avoid costly and dangerous accidents. Thank you for keeping our communities safe and always contacting 811 before you dig!
Pro Tip!
Pre-mark your dig area with white flags or paint to ensure the locators don’t miss your dig project area. The utility companies will then send a locator out to mark their underground utilities up to their meter with paint and/or flags.
Heads up! There may be private utilities within your dig area.
Often, meters can be found at your property line which mean private utilities may run under your yard. Private utilities (such as your electric meter) are owned by the property owner (not the utility) and therefore will not be marked with your 811 request. Private utilities must be located and marked at expense of the property owner. To learn more and for a list of private locate companies in your area please visit the Colorado811 website 👉 https://www.colorado811.org/private-locate-companies/