Safe Digging and Trench Safety Training in Colorado This Year

Spring Is When Colorado Starts Digging

Once the ground thaws, it seems like every crew in Colorado reaches for a shovel at the same time. Utility work, new subdivisions and backyard fence posts all ramp up together. That’s why spring is a great time to brush up on safe digging, before the busy season really takes off.

The good news? Many of the best trainings in the state cost nothing. Here’s a rundown of what’s coming up and how to find it.

Start With Colorado 811’s Free Training

You probably know the basic rule: call 811 before you dig. What you might not know is that Colorado 811 has Education and Damage Prevention Liaisons who offer free safety training. They also show up at trade shows and community events to explain to contractors and homeowners why that call matters.

To see what’s scheduled near you, check the Colorado 811 events calendar. It lists training sessions and Excavator Breakfasts, along with related industry and community events around the state. An Excavator Breakfast is an easy way to pick up a few safety tips over coffee and meet other people who work in the dirt.

Can’t Make It in Person?

Busy schedules happen, especially once projects get rolling. Colorado 811 runs a Digital Learning Academy with on-demand courses taught by industry experts. You can work through a lesson on your lunch break or after the kids are in bed.

Regional Roundtables in 2026

If you’d like a say in where damage prevention is headed, watch for this one. In 2026, Colorado 811 is holding Regional Roundtables where industry leaders meet to talk about the future of damage prevention in Colorado.

These are a good fit for city staff, utility owners, developers and contractors. Bring your questions, and maybe a story or two about that one line that wasn’t where the map said it would be.

Mark June for the Trench Safety Stand Down

Spring leads right into one of the biggest safety weeks of the year. The National Utility Contractors Association has named June Trench Safety Month. Its annual Trench Safety Stand Down runs June 15-19 at hundreds of jobsites across the country, with support from OSHA and the Trenching and Excavation Safety Taskforce.

It’s a big deal. In 2025, more than 24,200 employees from 330 organizations at 461 jobsites took part. Companies offered free training, including live trench demonstrations and toolbox talks. If you run a crew, hosting a stand-down on your own site is a simple way to get everyone thinking about cave-ins before summer.

Why This Matters So Much Here

Trench collapses aren’t an abstract risk. As of June 2025, OSHA had reported 11 trench-related deaths for the year nationwide. Colorado has felt that loss up close.

OSHA and the North American Excavation Shoring Association co-hosted a Colorado Trench Safety Summit in Brighton in October 2022 because trench deaths in the state were rising. Seven trenching-related deaths had been reported in Colorado since early 2021.

Some of the cases are hard to read. In 2023, OSHA cited a contractor for trench cave-in hazards in Fort Collins, after the same company had ignored standards that could have prevented a 2022 collapse in Greeley that killed a teenage employee. Back in 2019, inspectors in Alamosa found three workers in an unprotected 13-foot-deep trench. One wall gave way moments after they climbed out.

Know the 5-Foot Rule

Here’s one number everyone on a jobsite should know. OSHA’s excavation standard requires protective systems and a competent person for any trench 5 feet deep or more, unless it’s dug entirely in stable rock. That’s roughly chest height on most adults, which is shallower than many people expect.

Need someone on your team to fill that competent person role? ABC Rocky Mountain offers a Trenching and Excavation Competent Person course designed for Colorado.

Looking Ahead to Late Summer and Fall

The learning doesn’t stop after spring. Governor Polis has proclaimed Aug. 11 as 811 Day in Colorado, noting that protecting underground utilities keeps both people and the economy safe.

Then there’s the big one. The Colorado 811 Damage Prevention Summit & Expo is the group’s annual event, with sessions like an advanced Safe Digging in Colorado course and an Excavator Advanced Course taught in Spanish. The 2025 edition was held Oct. 3 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Colorado Springs, with education sessions, a keynote, networking and prize giveaways. Keep an eye on the calendar for this year’s details.

A Note From Us

Here at Solid Earth, we’ve been building water, sanitary sewer and stormwater systems in Colorado since our first municipal water and sanitary contract in 2002. Excavation is a big part of that work, so we know how much good training matters. Whether you’re a seasoned operator or just thinking about joining a crew, these events are well worth your time.

Have a project in mind? Start the conversation with Solid Earth.

Images are presented for illustration purposes only.We use real photographs when we need to show what was happening at a real event.