Colorado Urges 'Call Before You Dig' as Damages Cost Billions

GOLDEN, Colo. – April 01, 2026 – As the last of the winter snow melts away and Coloradans prepare their gardens and construction sites for the spring season, state officials are issuing a critical reminder: know what's below. Governor Jared Polis has officially proclaimed April 2026 as "Dig Safely Month," reinforcing a statewide effort to prevent the costly and dangerous consequences of striking underground utility lines.

The proclamation coincides with the 40th anniversary of Colorado 811, the state's nonprofit utility notification center. For four decades, the organization has served as the crucial communication link between excavators and utility owners. As digging season ramps up, its message is more urgent than ever: contacting 811 before any project, from planting a tree to major construction, is not just a suggestion—it's a free, simple action required by law that saves lives, money, and essential services.

The High Cost of Unsafe Digging

Striking an underground utility line is far more than a minor inconvenience. The consequences can be catastrophic, creating significant risks for public safety, the environment, and the economy. Nationally, damages to buried infrastructure are estimated to cost the U.S. approximately $30 billion each year. According to state officials, the primary driver of these preventable incidents is the failure of excavators and homeowners to contact 811 before breaking ground.

In Colorado, the statistics paint a stark picture of the risks. Approximately 60% of all damage to the state's natural gas pipelines is a direct result of excavation activities. A severed gas line can lead to explosions, serious injury, and evacuations. The danger extends to other critical services as well. In 2025 alone, accidental cuts to telecommunications lines were responsible for nearly 43% of all service disruptions to 9-1-1 emergency call centers, potentially delaying life-saving responses.

"Damages to public underground utility lines cost the U.S. approximately $30 billion per year and the number one reason why these damages occur is because 811 was not contacted to have underground utility lines marked before digging activity occurred," explains Claudia Randall, Executive Director of Colorado 811. "Injuries and vast damage can be prevented if everyone in Colorado simply contacts 811 to submit their underground utility line locate request to have their excavation area marked before digging. It's free! It's fast! And it's the law!"

To underscore the seriousness of the issue, Colorado law includes significant penalties for non-compliance. The Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission, a body within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, can levy fines starting at $5,000 and reaching up to $75,000 for repeat violations of the One-Call Law.

Four Decades of Prevention and a New Tech Leap Forward

Since its inception in 1986, Colorado 811 has been at the forefront of the state's damage prevention efforts. What began as a basic one-call notification system has evolved into a sophisticated operation that handles a massive volume of requests. Last year alone, the center processed an impressive 1,179,438 underground utility line locate requests, a testament to both the scale of excavation across the state and a growing awareness of safe digging practices. Data from 2023 showed a promising trend, with a significant increase in locate requests corresponding to an 18% decrease in total damages, suggesting that the public education campaigns are having a positive effect.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the organization is not resting on its laurels. In January 2026, Colorado 811 launched its new 'Exactix Ticketing System,' a major technological upgrade designed to make the process of requesting a locate faster and more intuitive than ever. The new platform offers enhanced online self-service tools, a streamlined user experience, and live chat support.

This modernization aims to lower the barrier to compliance for everyone, from a homeowner planning to install a new fence to a contractor managing multiple large-scale projects. By making the system more user-friendly and efficient, the organization hopes to further boost compliance rates and drive down the number of dangerous and costly utility strikes. The new system is a key part of the organization's strategy to empower all Coloradans with the tools and knowledge needed to protect the state's vast network of underground infrastructure.

A Shared Responsibility: How Coloradans Can Dig Safely

Protecting the state's lifelines is a collective effort, and Colorado 811 has outlined a clear, four-step process for anyone planning to dig. This procedure is designed to be simple, free, and effective in preventing accidents.

First, an individual must contact 811. This can be done by visiting the website at colorado811.org to submit an online ticket or by calling 811 (or 800-922-1987) at least three full business days before digging. This initial request alerts member utility companies that an excavation is planned for a specific area. It is crucial to remember that this service only covers public utilities; homeowners are responsible for locating any private lines on their property, such as those running to a detached garage or outdoor lighting.

Second, excavators must wait and track the request. During the waiting period, utility companies will visit the site to mark the approximate location of their buried lines with color-coded paint and/or flags. Each color represents a different type of utility, such as red for electric, yellow for gas, and blue for water. Homeowners can track the status of their request online.

Third, once the area is marked, it is vital to respect the marks. These visual indicators are the guide to what lies beneath. Digging should be planned around the marked areas, and the paint and flags must be maintained and kept visible for the duration of the project.

Finally, the most important step is to dig carefully. State law mandates using hand tools when digging within 18 inches of either side of the marked lines. Mechanized equipment should never be used on top of or in close proximity to the markings without first visually confirming the exact location of the utility line. This simple precaution is the last line of defense against a potentially life-altering accident.

State-Wide Support for a Critical Mission

The annual proclamation by Governor Polis is more than a ceremonial gesture; it represents a unified, top-down commitment to public safety and infrastructure protection. Multiple state agencies are aligned in promoting the "call before you dig" message. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission's Pipeline Safety Program actively promotes 8-1-1 as a core component of its mission to ensure gas pipeline safety.

Furthermore, the Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission not only enforces the law but also works to develop and promote best practices for the excavation industry. This regulatory oversight, combined with the educational outreach from Colorado 811 and the public endorsement from the Governor's office, creates a comprehensive framework aimed at making every dig a safe one.

Colorado's centralized, nonprofit one-call system is considered a national best practice, aligning the state with a federally designated program designed to protect critical infrastructure across the country. As the state continues to grow, the need for diligent adherence to these safe digging practices becomes even more critical. Every Coloradan who breaks ground has a role to play in this shared mission, ensuring that progress and development do not come at the cost of safety and stability. By taking a few simple, free steps, communities can protect themselves and the vital networks that power modern life.