Before the Excavator Arrives: Colorado 811 and Utility Shutoffs

Two utility steps get confused on almost every demolition. One is locating buried lines before any digging. The other is shutting off and capping the services that feed the building. They are handled by different people and both have to happen before heavy equipment starts.

Locates: Colorado 811

Colorado 811, the Utility Notification Center of Colorado, is the one-call center that notifies member utilities to mark their underground lines. Colorado law expects a request ahead of excavation, with a waiting period before work starts. Check the center's current rules for how far in advance to call and how long marks remain valid.

Locates mark member utilities' public lines. Private lines on the lot, such as a sprinkler main or a buried feed to a detached garage, are generally not marked and need to be identified by the owner or a private locator.

Shutoffs: disconnect and cap

• Gas and electric: Service is disconnected by the provider. In much of Colorado Springs that is Colorado Springs Utilities, though some edges of the metro are served by others.
• Water and sewer: Lines are capped at the main or lot line as the provider and the building department require.
• Communications: Cable and fiber runs can be overlooked and are easily cut. Include them in the checklist.

Why this drives the schedule

Provider lead times vary and are not under a contractor's control. Requesting disconnects the same day you apply for the permit saves more time than any speed-up on the demolition crew's side.