The secret has long been out about Colorado as a great destination, remaining one of the top-10 fastest growing U.S. states.
With that population growth, construction is understandably booming in Colorado, supporting nearly a quarter million jobs in the industry. Despite unpredictable construction costs and labor challenges, Colorado outpaces the nation in construction starts, with 3.5 times more building permits issued than the national average since 2022. Residential construction has grown by 9% each year since 2017, topping $300 million last year.
From the public sector, more than $6 billion in federal funding has been announced for Colorado infrastructure improvements, including more than $3.5 billion for roads, bridges, ports, airports, and other infrastructure. Our state government recognizing those critical needs is making significant investments as well, providing hundreds of millions in state transportation and infrastructure funding.
These investments include I-25 resurfacing and U.S. 24 intersection improvements in El Paso County, and nearly 20 capital improvement projects on roads and highways in Adams County, the areas we represent as state and local elected officials.
While this infrastructure investment and activity brings so many benefits, it also carries a risk — one that isn’t immediately obvious to many Coloradans. Breaking ground means the potential for breaking into the complex underground network of buried infrastructure, in most cases just a few feet below the surface.
Electric, water, internet, natural gas, and other utility lines span thousands of subterranean square miles in our state. More than 14,000 times each year in Colorado, those underground utility lines are damaged by digging, whether by professional contractors or by homeowners. That’s 38 times each day on average that Coloradans and our homes, businesses, schools, first responders and others face not only inconvenience, but potential injuries — or worse.
Particularly in an election year, there’s little upon which politicians and our political parties will agree. But on this, Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike can find consensus — it’s absolutely critical that we prevent damage to the buried infrastructure that powers our daily lives. Protecting infrastructure that keeps our communities moving and our businesses growing isn’t a partisan issue. Damaged water mains, fiber optic cables, and electric lines don’t differentiate between red counties and blue cities — everyone is affected when buried utilities are damaged by digging.
That’s why we’re glad that the Common Ground Alliance — the nation’s only nonprofit devoted to preventing damage to underground utilities — held its largest Conference & Expo recently in Colorado Springs. Its nearly 4,000 members nationwide include utility providers like Black Hills Energy, Colorado Springs Utilities, and Verizon; oil and gas pipeline companies; equipment manufacturers; and many others with a stake in protecting critical buried infrastructure from damage.
We’ve had the opportunity to hear from the Common Ground Alliance’s leadership about how this problem costs communities nationwide $30 billion each year, and how it can impact the constituents we represent here in Colorado.
To be clear, the impacts are real, and they’re local. This month, a water line ruptured while contractors worked underground in Castle Pines, causing a boil water notice for thousands of residents and businesses. Last year, fiber optic contractors were fined $500,000 for damaging utility lines 766 times just in Colorado Springs alone. In Aurora, a sewer contractor was convicted of manslaughter for failing to take adequate precautions while digging, leading to a worker’s death.
Fortunately, as real as these impacts are, so too are the solutions. With some common-sense actions by homeowners and contractors alike, much of this damage and disruption can be avoided. For example, excavators should always follow important best practices, like maintaining at least 24 inches of clearance around underground facilities when digging. Common Ground Alliance publishes an annually updated Best Practices Guide for contractors and others.
But one of the simplest actions is right in the palm of your hand: contacting 811 every time before you dig, no matter how seemingly minor. Here in the Centennial State, Colorado 811 will dispatch utility companies and others to locate and mark the buried utilities on your property, reducing the likelihood of damaging these lines.
Contacting 811 is free, easy, and might not only prevent frustration and disruptions, but save lives.
From the economy to health care to immigration, there are many political issues on which we may philosophically disagree. But on this, we can find common ground: As construction activity and investment keeps rising, protecting the lives and property of Coloradans is one of our top priorities as elected leaders. That extends to the extensive underground infrastructure upon which we rely.
In taking this nonpartisan responsibility seriously, we can ensure Colorado remains the best place to live, work and play in America.
State Rep. Rose Pugliese, a Republican, is minority leader of the Colorado House of Representatives and a Colorado Springs resident. Commissioner Steve O’Dorisio, a Democrat, is an Adams County commissioner and Welby resident.
State Rep. Rose Pugliese, a Republican, is Minority Leader of the Colorado House of Representatives and a Colorado Springs resident. Commissioner Steve O’Dorisio, a Democrat, is an Adams County Commissioner and Welby resident.