Colorado Springs Utility Excavation Permits - Contractors

Utilities and Infrastructure Colorado 3 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026 Flag of Colorado

Colorado Springs, Colorado contractors must follow city rules for any excavation that affects public streets, sidewalks, alleys or other rights-of-way. This guide explains typical steps to obtain a utility excavation or right-of-way permit, the departments involved, what inspections to expect, and how enforcement and penalties work in Colorado Springs.

Permits & Steps to Apply

Contractors should first determine whether work is within the public right-of-way or on private property. For most work affecting city streets or sidewalks you need a right-of-way or excavation permit from City Public Works and may need coordination with Colorado Springs Utilities and third-party utility owners. Typical steps are below:

  • Confirm scope and property/ROW boundaries with the city or project engineer.
  • Request utility locates via the one-call system before digging.
  • Apply for the excavation/right-of-way permit through the City Public Works permit portal and submit required plans and traffic control plans.[1]
  • Pay permit fees and any refundable deposits required by the city or utility owners (see application details).
  • Schedule inspections and comply with required safety and traffic control standards while work is active.
  • Restore surfaces to city standards and request final inspection or release of deposit.
Always call for utility locates and confirm permit scope before mobilizing onsite.

Who issues and enforces permits

The City of Colorado Springs Public Works department typically issues right-of-way and excavation permits; Colorado Springs Utilities may require separate coordination or permits for work affecting utility facilities. Contact information for Public Works permitting and Colorado Springs Utilities appears below in Resources. For official permit procedures see the city permit page and municipal code linked in Resources.[1]

Penalties & Enforcement

City enforcement covers unauthorized excavation, failing to obtain required permits, improper restoration, and unsafe work in the right-of-way. Specific monetary fines and escalation schedules are not fully reproduced on a single city permit page; where amounts or schedules are not available on the cited page this is noted below and the enforcing department is identified.

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited permit page; see the municipal code or contact Public Works for exact fine schedules.
  • Escalation: first offence, repeat, and continuing violation levels are not specified on the cited permit page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, repair or restoration orders, withholding of final approvals, and referral to municipal court are possible enforcement actions as administered by Public Works and code enforcement.
  • Enforcer and complaints: City of Colorado Springs Public Works is the primary enforcer for right-of-way permits; complaints and inspection requests go through Public Works permitting contacts listed below.
If you are cited, follow the written order and contact the issuing office immediately to clarify appeal steps.

Applications & Forms

The City Public Works permit portal hosts the excavation/right-of-way permit application and instructions. The specific form name, number and fee table are provided on the city permit page or through the permitting portal; if a named form or fee table is not visible on the public page then it is provided in the permit portal or via the permitting office.[1]

How-To

  1. Confirm whether the work is in city right-of-way and identify all affected utilities.
  2. Obtain utility locates using the regional one-call before any excavation.
  3. Complete and submit the city excavation/right-of-way permit application, include traffic control and restoration plans.
  4. Pay fees and post any required performance or restoration deposits.
  5. Arrange required inspections during work and call for final inspection to obtain permit closure.
Permit approval can require documentation from multiple agencies—plan ahead to avoid delays.

FAQ

Do I need a permit to dig on private property?
Yes if the work affects public utilities, easements, or will connect to city services; otherwise local building permits or utility company approvals may still be needed.
How long does permit approval take?
Processing times vary by scope and completeness of submission; the city permit portal provides current timelines or contact Public Works for estimates.
What happens if I dig without a permit?
The city may issue stop-work orders, require restoration, assess fines or pursue enforcement through municipal processes.

Key Takeaways

  • Always verify right-of-way boundaries and call for locates before excavating.
  • Apply early and include traffic control and restoration plans to avoid delays.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Colorado Springs Public Works - Right-of-Way and excavation permits

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