Plumbers in Erie, CO

A town on the Boulder-Weld county line

Erie sits about 21 miles north of downtown Denver in a straight line, and Boulder is the nearest larger city. It is one of the few metro towns split between two counties: in the 2020 Census roughly 58% of its 30,038 residents lived on the Weld County side and 42% in Boulder County. Settled as a coal camp in 1867 and incorporated in 1874, Erie still has its historic Old Town on Briggs Street, while newer neighborhoods stretch toward Interstate 25 on the east side and along State Highways 7 and 52. The town also owns Erie Municipal Airport.

Water from Carter Lake, treated in town

Erie is not a Denver Water community. The Town owns its water system, and most of the supply is Colorado-Big Thompson Project water piped from Carter Lake. Smaller amounts arrive through the Northern Colorado Pipeline, Erie Lake, Thomas Reservoir, Gross Reservoir and the South Boulder County Ditch, all surface sources. Treatment happens at the Lynn R. Morgan Water Treatment Facility in Erie, and the water is disinfected with chlorine. Interconnections with Lafayette and Lefthand are reserved for emergencies. The Town's yearly water quality report lists test results, and the water division keeps a service line inventory that classifies pipe materials, so you can ask for a copy if you are unsure what your line is made of.

Sewer is a Town service too. One Erie utility bill covers water, wastewater and storm drainage, so account questions go to Utility Billing at 303-926-2700 and treatment questions to Water Treatment at 303-926-2860.

Permits from the Erie Building Division

Plumbing permits are issued by the Town of Erie Building Division at 645 Holbrook Street (303-926-2780). The Town wants a permit for plumbing modifications and for installing or replacing a water heater, while swapping a fixture in the same spot does not need one. Water line repair and sewer line repair are both listed permit types. For cross-connection control, the Town runs the program on its water system and requires backflow test reports before commercial and multifamily buildings receive a certificate of occupancy. Residential testing rules were not spelled out on the Town pages we reviewed, so if you have an irrigation backflow assembly, ask the Town what applies to your house.

Gas service: Black Hills Energy

Much of the metro buys gas from Xcel Energy, but Erie is Black Hills Energy territory. If you smell gas, get everyone out of the house first. Once you are outside, call 911 and then Black Hills Energy using the emergency number printed on your gas bill. A plumber can repair or extend gas piping after the utility has made things safe.

What is different from Denver, and what to expect

Next to a Denver home, an Erie household has a different water utility, a different gas company and a Town permit desk instead of Denver Community Planning and Development. Front Range weather is the same, though: hard freezes, dry air and fast temperature swings are rough on hose bibs, sprinkler lines and pipes in exterior walls. When you call, describe what is happening, say whether the main water valve is closed, and mention whether the house is in Old Town or a newer section. You will be connected with an independent plumber who works in Erie, and price and timing are settled between you and that plumber.