Plumbers in Golden, CO

The Jefferson County seat, 12 miles west of downtown

Golden was incorporated as Golden City in 1871 and serves as the Jefferson County seat. The 2020 Census counted 20,399 residents, and the center of town is about 12 miles from downtown Denver in a straight line. The city sits along Clear Creek between North and South Table Mountain and Lookout Mountain, and it is home to the Colorado School of Mines, the Coors brewery and Heritage Square. US 6, SH 93 and I-70 connect it to the rest of the metro. Mailing addresses are wider than the city: ZIP 80401 includes a large unincorporated area, and homes outside city limits may have a different water provider, so check your bill.

Water that changes with Clear Creek

Inside city limits, the City of Golden supplies water from Clear Creek, treated at the Golden Water Treatment Plant. The City says hardness typically runs from about 40 to 170 ppm and moves with creek levels through the year, so scale on water heaters, aerators and shower heads can come and go with the seasons. Water is chlorinated at about 1 mg/L, and Golden does not add fluoride. The City reports that its lead sampling found no lead above the EPA action level, while noting that plumbing inside a home can still contain lead. Very few homes inside the city use wells.

The City also handles sewer. The Utilities Department is at 303-384-8170, and its 24-hour water and sewer emergency line is 303-384-8158. Backflow assemblies must be tested by a certified cross-connection control technician, who submits results through the City's online form; the City page does not state a test interval, so ask the Utilities Department if you are unsure.

Older housing in the Golden area

Across ZIP 80401, which reaches well past city limits, about 56% of housing units were built in 1979 or earlier. Homes of that age are where you can run into galvanized supply lines, cast iron drains and clay sewer laterals, along with valves and fixtures that have been patched more than once. Newer houses still need the usual water heater, toilet and faucet work.

Permits by email

Plumbing and water heater permits come from the City of Golden Building Division, part of Public Works. They are over-the-counter permits: you apply by email, pay by phone with a card and get the permit back by email, usually within one to two business days. Permit status is at 303-384-8151 and inspection requests at 303-384-8198.

Gas safety

If you smell gas, leave the house first. From outside, call 911 and your gas utility; the utility name and emergency number are on your gas bill.

Golden versus Denver, and calling for help

Golden water is not Denver Water, it carries no added fluoride, and its hardness follows Clear Creek. Permits go through Golden's Building Division, not Denver's. When you call the number on this page, describe the problem, tell us whether the main valve is off, and mention if the house is inside city limits. You will be connected with an independent plumber who works in Golden, and you agree on price and timing with that plumber.