811 vs Private Utility Locating in Colorado

In Colorado, 811 is a free public utility notification system. When you call 811, utility owners are notified and required to mark their lines before excavation.

What 811 Covers

811 typically marks publicly owned utilities such as:

• Electric
• Gas
• Water
• Sewer
• Telecommunications (provider dependent)

However, 811 does not guarantee that all utilities will be located. Privately owned lines beyond the meter are often excluded.

When Private Locating Is Required

Private utility locating is typically needed when:

• Working beyond the public right-of-way
• Investigating utilities on commercial properties
• Supporting design-phase infrastructure planning
• Verifying undocumented or incomplete records

Private locating provides independent field verification and, when required, documentation suitable for engineering workflows and asset management.

The Key Difference

811 is a notification system. Private locating is a professional service.

If you’re unsure which applies to your project, contacting a qualified locating firm can prevent delays, damage, and liability.