What number do I call for utility locates?
All utility locate requests should be made through Colorado 811.
Which utilities will City staff locate?
Thornton staff locates city-owned utilities such as water sanitary sewer, and fiber within the right-of-way.
When is it necessary to hire a private locator?
City staff does not locate private utilities. Private utilities are owned by the property owner and therefore will not be marked with the 811 request. It is the responsibility of the excavator to have private utilities located at expense of the property owner.
Colorado811 has posted a helpful blog explaining private vs. public utilities.
What do the marking colors mean?
Utilities are marked in colors based on their type. Utility locators use a uniform color code system to mark utilities. Utilities can always be identified by their specific color, whether they are marked with paint, flags or both. Additional information is available on the 811 Resources page.
- White – proposed excavation
- Pink – temporary survey markings
- Red – electric power lines, cables, conduit and lighting cables
- Yellow – gas, oil, steam, petroleum or gaseous materials
- Orange – communication, alarm or signal lines, cables or conduit
- Blue – potable water
- Purple – reclaimed water, irrigation and slurry lines
- Green – sewers and drain lines