On May 25, 2018, Governor Hickenlooper signed Senate Bill 18-167 into law. This bill included the creation of the Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission (Safety Commission), effective August 8, 2018.
In order to assist in preventing damage to underground facilities, the Safety Commission is charged with the following tasks:
- Making recommendations regarding:
- Best practices and training
- Policies to enhance public safety
- Policies to improve efficiency and cost savings to the 811 program
- Reviewing complaints of alleged violations and ordering appropriate remedial action/penalties.
You may contact the Safety Commission using the phone number and email address provided below.
- Phone: 720-582-8224
- Email: cdle_safetycommission@state.co.us
Submitting a complaint to the Safety Commission begins the process toward a complaint hearing occurring.
To submit a formal complaint to the Safety Commission regarding an alleged violation of the law that occurred on or after August 8, 2018, you may complete one of the following:
- an online form (that includes both the complaint form and the damage form)
- a PDF that you can download, print or complete electronically and email to cdle_safetycommission@state.co.us
Damage Form
If you complete the PDF complaint form and your complaint includes a near-miss or underground facility damage, please also complete the form below to provide as much information as possible about the near-miss/damage.**
Underground Facility Damage Form
**If you are the owner or operator of a damaged underground facility, you are also required to report the damage to Colorado 811 within 90 days after service has been restored per Section 9-1.5-103(7)(b) of the Colorado Excavation Requirements Statute.**
Please note: Safety Commission complaint hearing decisions are limited to determinations as to whether the Excavation Requirements Act (Title 9, Article 1.5, Colorado Revised Statutes) was violated.
The Safety Commission cannot give legal advice and does not make determinations about liability for damages; the Colorado state court system may be the appropriate venue for parties seeking third party resolution of liability for damages.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
In addition to submitting a complaint, you may also pursue alternative dispute resolution through Colorado 811. View the details on the Colorado 811 website using the link below.
Meeting Location
These meetings are now fully remote.
Remote Connection Zoom Information
Video call link: Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 839 3675 5524
Passcode: 804772
Phone number: 719-359-4580
NEW Meeting Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
2023
- March 9, 2023: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- April 13, 2023: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- May 11, 2023: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- June 8, 2023: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- July 13, 2023: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- August 10, 2023: CANCELED
- September 14, 2023: Agenda
- October 12, 2023: Agenda
2022
- January 13, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- February 10, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- March 10, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- April 14, 2022: CANCELED
- May 12, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- June 9, 2022: CANCELED
- July 14, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- August 11, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- September 8, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- October 13, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- November 10, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- December 8, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
2021
- January 14, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- February 11, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- March 11, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- March 19, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- March 29, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- April 8, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- May 13, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- June 10, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- July 8, 2021 : Agenda | Meeting Notes
- August 12, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- August 25, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- September 9, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- October 14, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- November 10, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- December 9, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
2020
- January 9, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- February 13, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- March 12, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- March 17, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- March 19, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- March 25, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- April 9, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- May 14, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- June 11, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- July 9, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- August 13, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- August 25, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- September 10, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- October 8, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- November 12, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- December 10, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
2019
Date | Time |
Friday, December 14, 2018 Agenda Meeting Notes | 8:00 am - 12:00 pm |
Thursday, January 3, 2019 Agenda Meeting Notes | 12:00 - 4:00 pm |
Tuesday, January 29, 2019 Agenda Meeting Notes | 8:00 am - 12:00 pm |
Wednesday, February 13, 2019 Agenda Meeting Notes | 12:00 - 4:00 pm |
Wednesday, March 13, 2019 | CANCELED |
Thursday, April 11, 2019 Agenda Meeting Notes | 1:00 - 4:00 pm |
Thursday, May 9, 2019 Agenda Meeting Notes | 12:00 - 4:00 pm |
Thursday, June 13, 2019 Agenda Meeting Notes | 12:00 - 4:00 pm |
Thursday, July 11, 2019 Agenda Meeting Notes | 12:00 - 4:00 pm |
Thursday, August 8, 2019 Agenda Meeting Notes | 12:00 - 4:00 pm |
Thursday, September 12, 2019 Agenda Meeting Notes | 12:00 - 4:00 pm |
Thursday, October 10, 2019 Agenda Meeting Notes | 12:00 - 4:00 pm |
Thursday, November 14, 2019 Agenda Meeting Notes | 12:00 - 4:00 pm |
Thursday, December 12, 2019 | 12:00 - 4:00 pm |
The Review Committee, which consists of 3-5 Safety Commission members, will schedule meetings to hear complaints regarding alleged violations of the Excavation Requirements statute. These hearings are public meetings, so the dates, times and location are listed below.
To learn about what happens during a hearing, view the Hearing Process chart.
Hearing Location
Hearings are fully remote until further notice. The remote hearing connection information is included in the hearing agenda.
2023
Dates | Times |
February 28, 2023 |
8:00 am |
April 27, 2023 |
10:00 am |
May 25, 2023 |
1:00 pm |
June 1, 2023 |
10:00 am 1:00 pm |
June 27, 2023 |
8:00 am |
July 27, 2023 |
10:00 am 1:00 pm |
August 2, 2023 |
8:00 am 10;00 am |
August 29. 2023 |
8:00 am 10:00 am |
September 26, 2023 |
1:00 pm 3:00 pm |
October 5, 2023 |
8:00 am 10:00 am 1:00 pm 3:00 pm |
2022
Dates | Times |
February 22, 2022 |
8:00 am |
March 2, 2022 |
8:00 am |
May 3, 2022 |
8:00 am |
July 12, 2022 |
1:30 pm |
August 2, 2022 |
11:00 am |
August 23, 2022 |
1:30 pm |
September 1, 2022 |
9:30 am |
November 3, 2022 |
8:00 am |
2021
Dates | Times |
April 6, 2021 |
9:30 am |
April 29, 2021 |
9:30 am |
June 24, 2021 |
9:30 am |
August 5, 2021 |
8:00 am 9:30 am |
September 7, 2021 |
9:30 am 11:00 am |
October 7, 2021 |
9:30 am 11:00 am |
2020
Dates | Times |
February 6, 2020 |
8:00 am |
February 27, 2020 |
9:30 am 11:00 am
|
March 5, 2020 |
9:30 am 11:00 am |
April 7, 2020 |
11:00 am 1:30 pm 3:00 pm |
July 30, 2020 |
11:00 am |
August 6, 2020 |
9:30 am |
September 3, 2020 |
11:00 am 1:30 pm |
October 1, 2020 |
9:30 am 11:00 am 1:30 pm |
December 1, 2020 |
8:00 am 9:30 am 11:00 am |
2019
Dates | Times |
Monday, March 18, 2019 Agenda |
1:00 pm |
Wednesday, April 24, 2019 Agenda |
1:00 pm |
Wednesday, May 22, 2019 Agenda |
8:00 am 10:00 am |
Thursday, May 23, 2019 Agenda |
10:00 am 1:00 pm |
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 Agenda |
8:00 am 10:00 am 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 3:00 pm |
Wednesday, July 17, 2019 Agenda |
10:00 am 1:00 pm 3:00 pm |
Thursday, August 29, 2019 Agenda |
10:00 am 2:30 pm |
Tuesday, September 10, 2019 Agenda |
8:00 am |
Tuesday, October 8, 2019 Agenda |
1:00 pm |
Thursday, October 24, 2019 Agenda |
1:00 pm |
Tuesday, November 5, 2019 Agenda |
10:00 am |
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 Agenda |
1:00 pm |
Tuesday, December 3, 2019 Agenda |
8:00 am |
Tuesday, December 17, 2019 Agenda |
9:00 am 11:00 am |
The Best Practices Subcommittee will schedule meetings to develop best practices for elements of the Excavation Requirements statute. These are public meetings, so the dates, times and location are listed below.
Meeting Location
These meetings are now fully remote.
Remote Connection Information
Video call link: Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 852 2485 4728
Passcode: 480302
Phone number: 719-359-4580
Meeting Time: 10:00 - 11:50 am
2023
- May 11, 2023: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- June 8, 2023: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- July 13, 2023: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- August 10, 2023: CANCELED
- September 14, 2023: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- October 12, 2023: Agenda
2022
- February 10, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- March 10, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- April 14, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- May 12, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- June 9, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- July 14, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- August 11, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- September 8, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- October 13, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- October 31, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- Online: meet.google.com/bih-nhyp-opa
- Phone: 573-721-9235 (PIN: 483 063 912#)
- November 10, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- December 1, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- This meeting will start at 9:00 am
- December 8, 2022: Agenda | Meeting Notes
2021
- January 14, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- February 11, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- March 11, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- April 8, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- May 13, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- May 25, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- June 10, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- June 22, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- July 8, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- July 19, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- August 12, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- August 23, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- September 9, 2021: Canceled
- September 27, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- October 14, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- November 10, 2021: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- December 9, 2021: Canceled
2020
- January 9, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- February 13, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- March 12, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- May 14, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- June 11, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- July 9, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- August 13, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- September 10, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- October 8, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- November 12, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- December 10, 2020: Agenda | Meeting Notes
2019
- July 11, 2019: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- August 8, 2019: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- September 12, 2019: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- October 10, 2019: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- November 14, 2019: Agenda | Meeting Notes
- December 12, 2019: Agenda | Meeting Notes
The following have been appointed by the Governor to serve on the Safety Commission as of January 26, 2023
Member | Member Category | Term Expiration |
Vice Chair |
County | 1/1/2026 |
Investor-Owner Utilities | 1/1/2024 | |
Pipeline Company | 1/1/2024 | |
Special District | 1/1/2024 | |
Chair |
Engineer | 1/1/2025 |
Review Committee Coordinator |
Excavator | 1/1/2025 |
Farming/Ranching | 1/1/2025 | |
Telecommunications/Broadband | 1/1/2025 | |
Transportation | 1/1/2025 | |
Rural Electric Cooperative | 1/1/2024 | |
Municipality | 1/1/2026 | |
Water Utility | 1/1/2026 | |
Energy Producer | 1/1/2026 | |
Moses Alvarez | Contractor | 1/1/2026 |
Annemarie Bluff | Excavator Representative | 1/1/2026 |
The Safety Commission encourages applicants who reflect the geographic and demographic diversity of the entire State, including members from both rural and urban parts of the State, and members of diverse political, racial, disability and cultural groups and of diverse sexual orientations and genders.
Applications are now being accepting for the following Safety Commission member categories, as the terms for those currently representing these categories end on January 1, 2024:
- Investor-owned Utilities
- Pipeline Companies
- Rural Electric Cooperatives
- Special Districts
If you would like to be nominated and apply for one of these positions:
1. Refer to the Excavation Requirements Act to find the appropriate nominating entity to contact.
2. Once nominated, submit the Governor's Boards and Commissions application.
If you have any questions, you may contact us at cdle_safetycommission@state.
Nomination Categories
The Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission includes 15 people from the following categories.
Those selected to serve on the commission will do so for a term of three years.
Nomination Category | Nominated by | # of Representatives on the Safety Commission |
County | Colorado Counties, Inc. | 1 |
Municipality | Colorado Municipal League | 1 |
Special District | Special District Association of Colorado | 1 |
Energy Producer | Colorado's Energy Industry | 1 |
Contractor | Colorado Contractors Association | 1 |
Excavator | Excavator Members of the Notification Association | 2 |
Engineer | American Council of Engineering Companies of Colorado | 1 |
Investor-Owner Utility | Investor-Owner Utilities | 1 |
Rural Electric Cooperative | Colorado Rural Electric Association | 1 |
Pipeline Company | Colorado Pipeline Association | 1 |
Telecommunications and Broadband Company | Colorado Telecommunications and Broadband Industry | 1 |
Water Utility | Colorado Water Utility Council | 1 |
Transportation | Department of Transportation | 1 |
Farming/Ranching | Commissioner of Agriculture | 1 |
To submit a request for the Safety Commission to develop a best practice policy, you may complete one of the following:
- a PDF that you can download, print or complete electronically and email to cdle_safetycommission@state.co.us
- an online form
Best Practices
Disclaimer: The Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission has established these best practices as required under §9-1.5-104.2, C.R.S. These best practices serve to advise the notification association and other state agencies, the general assembly and local governments on practices to prevent damage to underground utilities, to enhance public safety, to improve efficiency and cost savings to the 811 program and to ensure the highest level of productivity and service for the benefit of both excavators and owners and operators. These best practices are recommendations by the Safety Commission and may change over time. Compliance with these recommendations is not conclusive of compliance with the statutes and regulations and is not binding on the findings or determinations of the Safety Commission or determinations in any other forum.
FAQs
In addition to the FAQs here, additional resources are listed under the Helpful Resources tab at the bottom of the page.
What is a frivolous complaint?
The Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission Regulations define a frivolous complaint as "A complaint filed with the Safety Commission that is entirely without merit and is made with the intention of causing inconvenience, harassment or expense."
The Safety Commission has approved the following training courses for use as general education and for remedial action in complaint hearings:
- ACEC Colorado Course: SUE Training for Government Agencies and Engineers
- Colorado 811 Courses
- Offered by Damage Prevention Liaisons
- 101 Class - One Call Basics
- 201 Class - Reasonable Care and CGA Best Practices
- Offered Online: Comprehensive Excavator Course
- Offered by Damage Prevention Liaisons
- Paradigm Liaison Services Courses
- Excavator Damage Prevention & Pipeline Safety Program
- Coordinated Response Exercise Pipeline Safety Program (CoRE)
Does your company have a training course (or two) that the Safety Commission should consider adding to its approved training list? If so, please complete the form linked below.
Underground Damage Prevention Training Course Submission form
Do you have an idea for a training course that would be helpful? If so, please send your idea to us at cdle_safetycommission@state.
Home Rule counties, cities and counties, municipalities and power authorities may either develop their own damage prevention safety programs that are similar to the Safety Commission or complete a waiver that delegates their damage prevention safety programs to the Safety Commission.
Complete the form linked below to let the Safety Commission know which option your home rule entity has selected.
Home Rule Entity Waiver/Notification of Damage Prevention Safety Program
Any information provided to OPS on submitted forms or other communication such as email, phone calls, etc., is available to the public upon request (CORA request, data request, etc.) or is made available to the public (data sets, public databases, social media, webpage notices, etc.)
Please be aware of this and provide company information, rather than personal information, wherever possible.