Coloradans who sign up for a new phone number could end up with even more new digits than expected as the state rolls out a new area code to meet a growing demand.
Folks used to starting their number with 970 — which includes most of the Western Slope and northern Colorado — could get the 748 area code instead if they register for a new phone number or add a line, according to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.
The 970 region includes Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Estes Park, Aspen, Breckenridge, Silverthorne, Vail, Durango, Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction and Steamboat Springs.
New area codes are added by the North American Numbering Plan administrator when current codes are close to being “exhausted,” which means all available phone numbers have been assigned. The 970 area code’s exhaustion point will likely take place in early 2026, and the new area code is expected to last 38 years.
The last new Colorado area code was last added in 2022, when 983 was added to the 303 and 720 region.
New area code, who dis? Starting today, the new 748 area code will be in service with the current 970 area code, overlapping the entire region that stretches from the northern Eastern Plains to the Western Slope. pic.twitter.com/FinNLtCZEs
— Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) July 9, 2025
The new 748 area code became available this week, but large-scale use won’t start until late 2026, state officials said in a news release. Local calls will still be considered local calls with the new area code, and there will not be any changes to prices, coverage or other services.
Colorado’s three-digit help lines, including 911 and 988, will continue to work as normal.
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