April is National Safe Digging Month
April 1st marked the start of National Safe Dig Month in Colorado and across the country. Below you will find Colorado 811’s various campaigns to promote Safe Digging Month. You will also find resources to help your organization support and promote safe digging practices during the month of April.
To view the 2017 Governor’s Proclamation, click here.
To view and download CO811’s 2017 Safe Digging Month press release, click here.
To view and download CO811’s Safe Digging Month social media messages, click here.
Can You Dig It? Game! – Join CO811 for an interactive month-long web promotion. “Dig” for prizes each day of April with a virtual shovel into 1 of 20 virtual “dirt piles” in hopes of finding a prize underneath. Get ready to win $8,500 of great prizes during the month. Users may return to www.Safedigging.me each day for another chance to win until April 30th.
Colorado Fire Station Banner Campaign – In 2016 Colorado 811 partnered with over 200 fire stations across the state to hang banners outside of their fire houses in hopes to reach more local communities to spread the safe digging message. For the 2017 banner campaign, CO811 has asked the fire stations to hang the banners again, but get creative in sharing the messages on social media through the Safe Dig Month Banner Photo Contest. Follow Colorado 811 on Facebook and Twitter to see the contest photos.
Denver Digs Trees Partner and Sponsor – The Park People believe in planting trees safely. So their Denver Digs Trees program has a natural alignment with Colorado 811’s goals for smart and safe digging! Colorado 811 is a sponsor and partner of the Denver Digs Trees program. Damage Prevention Liaisons Alicia Hays and Neeley Duran as well as Marketing and Communications Specialist, Whitney Cregger will be volunteering on the weekend of April 15th. Learn more about the Park People and Denver Digs Trees.
Colorado 811 Celebrates 10 Years of 811 at the CGA Expo
The damage prevention industry celebrates a significant milestone in 2017 as the three-digit 811 number reaches its 10th birthday. The Common Ground Alliance 811 Excavation Safety Conference & Expo in Orlando, FL was easily one of the best expos to date as the 10th anniversary celebration of 811 was at the forefront of an eventful week of industry gatherings and educational opportunities. Colorado 811 was well represented at this year’s conference including the facilitation of workshops covering the 811 process, stakeholder cooperation and business continuity. We’d like to acknowledge our partners at Xcel Energy, Stake Center Locating and USIC for the support and participation they provided during our sessions.
The 2017 CGA Expo also offered a new opportunity to spotlight Damage Prevention Agents from around the country and celebrate the work these vital employees do for our industry and for the safety of our communities.
These honored guests included:
Danielle Lepisto, North Carolina 811
Tammy Corrie, Pennsylvania 811
Mathew Kopf, New Jersey
Lisa Davis, Virginia
Colorado 811’s Phoenix Ragland was chosen for her exemplary work and dedication to our industry and the vibrant engagement her callers experience when they reach her.
Special thank you to the One Call Systems International Agent Recognition Committee for their hard work in providing a platform for these outstanding individuals to receive their much deserved public accolades.
Jose Espino, SPHR
Director of Operations – Colorado 811
811 and Lowe’s Work to ShareCall 811 Before You Dig Message
Colorado 811 and 811 centers across the country are working with home improvement retailer Lowe’s to share an important message – call before you dig. By placing an 811 safe digging partner sticker and “Call 811 before you dig” message on the planting instructions of tree wraps, customers are reminded of the importance of locating underground utilities before beginning a project.
In 2017 alone, over 1.5 million tree wraps in Lowe’s garden centers will share 811 information. Should you visit Lowe’s to purchase a tree, share a photo by using the hashtag #811Lowes.
The above photo was taken at Lowe’s in Lakewood off West Colfax Ave.
Tillie helps promote 811 in 5280 Home Magazine
Colorado 811 used brand ambassador pup, Tillie to promote 811 to homeowners planning to dig this spring and summer in the latest issue of 5280 Home Magazine. You can find 5280 Home at over 200 King Soopers, Safeway, and Walgreens locations across Colorado.
The Damage Prevention Department Welcomes New Liaisons
Northeast Damage Prevention Liaison: Alicia Hays
Alicia grew up in Glenwood Springs, CO. After finishing her graduate degree in Communication, she explored careers in public relations, sales, education, business management and consulting. Throughout those various positions she has covered territories of over 50% of Colorado. She is passionate about helping others and is ecstatic to be joining the Colorado 811 Damage Prevention team to bring additional support to the Northeast Region.
Having the opportunity to explore Europe and reside in South Korea for a year, she has uncovered her desire to escape reality and enjoy other cultures. If not traveling, Alicia enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, rock climbing, jazz in the park with friends and gazing at the stars.
Alicia can be contacted at (303) 205-6337 or ahays@co811.org.
Denver Metro Damage Prevention Liaison: Neeley Duran
Neeley joined the Damage Prevention team in early ‘17 after fifteen years of media advertising, TV coordination and sports production with Comcast. Born and raised in Wisconsin, this little Badger always knew that she would make Colorado her home. After graduating from UW-Madison with degrees in Communication Arts and Spanish, she relocated to Denver as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer in 2000.
Her perfect weekend would include a road trip that enables her to enjoy the outdoors with her husband and two young daughters. Neeley is enthusiastic about sightseeing, traveling, hiking/walking, concerts and trying new provisions.
Neeley can be contacted at (303) 513-7616 nduran@co811.org.