Plumbers in Boulder, CO

Boulder County's seat, under the Flatirons

Boulder is the county seat of Boulder County and home to the University of Colorado Boulder flagship campus. It was incorporated in 1871, and the 2020 Census counted 108,250 people. Its center is about 24 miles from downtown Denver in a straight line, reached by US 36. The Pearl Street Mall, Chautauqua and the Flatirons give the city its look, and Boulder Reservoir sits on the northeast side.

A city water system with its own sources

The City of Boulder draws from Barker Reservoir, North Boulder Creek, Carter Lake and Boulder Reservoir, with the mix shifting by season, and treats the water at the Betasso and 63rd Street plants. It disinfects with chlorine, adds fluoride and runs a corrosion control program meant to cut lead pickup from household plumbing. The water report does not list a hardness figure.

The city's service line inventory found no lead service lines, though owners of homes built before 1956 are encouraged to check their pipe material on the online service line map. Only city staff may open a meter pit, and city code puts customers in charge of upkeep between the meter pit and the street. Wastewater goes to the Boulder Water Resource Recovery Facility, which returns treated water to Boulder Creek. For sewer trouble or an after-hours emergency that needs the water shut off, the city's line is 303-441-3200.

Backflow is strictly enforced

Boulder requires property owners to install, test and maintain backflow prevention assemblies, and every device must pass a test each calendar year. Testers need ABPA or ASSE certification and file results on the city's portal. Properties that miss the deadline get a hang tag and can have their water shut off, so sprinkler systems and boilers with assemblies need attention every year. Questions go to 303-413-7401.

What needs a permit

Planning & Development Services at 1101 Arapahoe Avenue (303-441-1880) treats plumbing and mechanical work, including water heaters and furnaces, as single-trade permits. Minor work is exempt: clearing a drain stoppage, repairing a leak or replacing a toilet without moving pipes. Replacing concealed drain or supply piping counts as new work and does need a permit, which matters on repipes and remodels.

Gas, the Denver comparison and calling

Xcel Energy is Boulder's gas utility. If you smell gas, leave right away, then call 911 and Xcel at 1-800-895-2999. Compared with Denver, nearly everything is different: the water source, the disinfectant, the treatment plant and the permit office. No housing-age figure for Boulder was confirmed. When you call the number here, describe the problem and the age of the house if you know it, and you will be connected with an independent plumber who works in Boulder and agrees on price with you.