Backflow Prevention Device Certification in Aurora, Colorado (2026)
Your water service can be shut off, and you may face daily fines for operating without a valid Backflow Prevention Device Certification from Aurora Water. This annual requirement, also called a cross-connection control device test report, proves your plumbing protects the public water supply. Key facts:
- 41 fields — ApronPrep auto-fills 34
- There is no government filing fee for the form itself; however, you must hire and pay a certified tester directly
- Timeline varies — dependent on tester availability, with certification valid for 12 months
Most applicants complete this in under 15 minutes with ApronPrep, which auto-fills 34 of 41 fields.
Analyzed from Backflow Prevention Device Certification
83% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Backflow Prevention Device Certification
Aurora Water requires commercial food service establishments to submit a Backflow Prevention Device Certification as a condition for maintaining water service. This is mandated by Aurora Municipal Code § 146, which governs the protection of the public water supply from contamination. Specifically, Chapter 146.08 details the requirements for cross-connection control programs, requiring backflow prevention assemblies on any water line where a potential health hazard exists—including commercial kitchens. The certification proves to the city's Cross Connection Control Specialist that your installed device has been tested by a certified technician and meets the current performance standard.
Without this current, approved certification on file, you are in violation of city code. Based on Aurora's enforcement protocols, common consequences include:
- Water service disconnection: The city can physically shut off your water supply until compliance is verified.
- Daily fines: Administrative penalties accrue for each day the violation persists. The exact amount is determined by the city but can escalate for repeat offenses.
- Required remediation: You may be ordered to immediately hire a certified tester and pay for any necessary device repairs or replacements.
- Operational delays: For new establishments, a final Certificate of Occupancy may be withheld, preventing you from opening your doors.
- Lease and insurance complications: Many commercial leases and business insurance policies require proof of compliance with all municipal codes. A lapse in certification could be grounds for default or a denied claim.
Legal code: Local sewer use regulations, water connection requirements, road/sidewalk ordinances, grease discharge limits
Recent update: In 2026, Aurora Water transitioned its backflow device reporting to a mandatory online portal for all commercial submissions, eliminating the acceptance of paper test reports.
Who Needs a Backflow Prevention Device Certification?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required as a commercial food service establishment with plumbing connected to the municipal water supply, per Aurora's Cross-Connection Control Program. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required due to the presence of dishwashers, ice machines, or other fixtures that create a cross-connection risk, mandated by Aurora Water regulations. |
| Food Truck | Required | Required if the unit connects to a potable water source (e.g., via a hose bib) at a commissary or service point, as per Aurora's mobile vendor codes. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required for any establishment with an espresso machine, commercial dishwasher, or water-using equipment, under Aurora's plumbing code. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (41 Fields)
34 of 41 auto-filledLegal Business Name
textEnter the exact legal name of your business entity as registered with the Colorado Secretary of State, as found on your Articles of Incorporation or Organization.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using a DBA/trade name instead of the registered legal name, or abbreviating 'LLC' or 'Inc.' which must match state records exactly.
Business Type
textEnter the entity type for your business, such as 'Limited Liability Company (LLC)', 'Corporation', 'Sole Proprietorship', or 'Partnership'.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving blank or using generic terms like 'Restaurant'; this must be your formal legal structure.
Facility Street Address
textEnter the complete physical street address of the restaurant where the backflow device is installed, including suite or unit number if applicable.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a P.O. Box, mailing address, or corporate headquarters address instead of the service location's physical address.
City
textEnter the city where the facility is located; for this application, this must be 'Aurora'.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a neighboring city like 'Denver' if the facility is in Aurora, or misspelling the city name.
State
textEnter the two-letter state abbreviation where the facility is located; for Colorado, this is 'CO'.
COMMON MISTAKE: Writing out the full state name ('Colorado') instead of the required two-letter abbreviation.
ZIP Code
textEnter the 5-digit ZIP code for the facility's street address; use the ZIP+4 if you know it for greater accuracy.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using an incorrect ZIP code for the street address, which can delay mailings and verification.
Primary Contact Name
textEnter the full name of the person responsible for the backflow device at the facility, typically the owner, manager, or facility supervisor.
COMMON MISTAKE: Listing a company name instead of an individual's name, or using a nickname that doesn't match official identification.
Primary Contact Phone
textEnter a direct, working phone number for the primary contact, formatted as (XXX) XXX-XXXX, where they can be reached during business hours.
COMMON MISTAKE: Providing a non-working number, a main business line with no direct extension, or an international number without the country code.
Primary Contact Email
textEnter a valid, monitored email address for the primary contact where official correspondence and test result notifications will be sent.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using a generic or role-based email (e.g., info@...) that is not checked regularly, leading to missed compliance deadlines.
Aurora Water Account Number
textEnter your unique Aurora Water utility account number for the service address, typically found on your monthly water bill or service initiation documents.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a meter number, customer ID from a different utility, or an account number for a different property owned by the same business.
ApronPrep auto-fills 34 of 41 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 Backflow Prevention Device Certification Mistakes
1. Submitting a test report from an uncertified tester
Aurora Public Works requires the test be performed by a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) certified backflow assembly tester. Submitting a report from a plumber or technician without this specific state certification results in automatic rejection. Check the tester's certification card for the CDPHE endorsement number. A rejected application for this reason typically adds 1–2 weeks as you must find a certified tester and schedule a new test.
2. Incomplete or inaccurate device details on the test report
The test report form must exactly match the device installed at your location. Common errors include incorrect manufacturer, model number, or size (e.g., listing a 1" device when a 2" is installed). The city cross-references this with permit records. A mismatch triggers a failed inspection, requiring a re-test and re-submission. Always verify the information on the physical device's tag against the report before submission.
3. Missing the annual submission deadline
Certifications are valid for one year from the test date. Aurora requires the certified test report to be submitted to their Water Quality Division before the previous certification expires. Late submissions can result in a notice of violation, a non-compliance fee, and potential water service disruption until the report is filed. Mark your calendar for 30 days before your annual due date to schedule the test.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Backflow Prevention Device Certification
ApronPrep auto-fills 34 of 41 fields from one compliance interview.
No credit card required
Backflow Prevention Device Certification by City in Colorado
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora | Contact Aurora Water Department for current certification and testing fees | Testing typically completed within 1-2 hours once scheduled; certification valid for 12 months; allow 2-4 weeks advance scheduling |
| Colorado Springs | Contact authority for current fees - certification fees vary based on device type and inspector | 2-6 weeks from initial contact to completed certification (dependent on inspector availability and scheduling) |
| Denver | Contact Denver Water at 303-893-2444 for current certification and testing fees; fees typically include device testing service charges | Initial certification: 2-4 weeks after test report submission; Annual renewal: ongoing with annual testing requirement |
Government Filing Fees
Contact Aurora Water Department for current certification and testing fees
Timeline: Varies
Step13611: Identify your backflow prevention device type and location on your commercial water connection
Locate the backflow prevention device installed on your main commercial water line — typically near the water meter or in the utility room. You need the device's model number, manufacturer, and a clear description of its location within the facility. Confusing a pressure vacuum breaker (PVB) with a reduced pressure zone (RPZ) assembly is the most common error that causes a rejected or invalid test report later.
Step13611: Select a certified backflow prevention testing company from Aurora's approved vendor list (see 'Selecting a backflow testing company' document)
Download the current Approved Backflow Tester List from the Aurora Water Department website and hire a certified tester registered with the city. Have your business name, address, and device details ready when contacting companies. Using an uncertified tester voids the test report and will require a complete re-test at your expense.
Step13611: Schedule a backflow prevention device inspection and test with the certified company
Book the test, confirming the tester will bring calibrated gauges and the official Aurora test report form. You must provide clear, unobstructed access to the device. Expect to pay the tester's service fee (typically $75–$200) directly at this appointment — this is a private vendor cost, separate from any city filing fees.
Where to Apply
Applications are handled by your local department of public works (dpw) in each city. Select your city below for authority details, fees, and processing timeline.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Colorado.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Application for Employer Identification Number
federal
Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corporation)
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsProcessing times vary significantly in Aurora, as confirmed by the city's Water Department. The timeline depends on the volume of applications, the need for device testing or repairs, and the scheduling of required inspections. Contact the Water Department directly to confirm current wait times and to ensure your Building Permit and other construction documents are in order, as they can impact approval.
The City of Aurora does not charge a separate government filing fee for the initial certification itself, per the city's fee schedule. However, you are responsible for all costs associated with purchasing, installing, and professionally testing the approved backflow prevention device. These costs vary by contractor and device type. Not legal advice — verify with Aurora Water.
No, certifications are specific to the physical device installed at a particular address and cannot be transferred. A new certification is required for any new location. This is standard practice, as the certification validates that a specific device protects the public water supply at that specific service connection, similar to how a Certificate of Occupancy is tied to a specific building.
In Aurora, certified backflow prevention devices must be tested annually by a state-licensed tester, as required by city ordinance. The test report must be submitted directly to Aurora Water. Failure to submit the annual test report can result in service disconnection. Contact Aurora Water for the exact submission deadline applicable to your account.
A licensed professional (not a city inspector) performs the test. The tester will verify the device is an approved model, correctly installed per code (e.g., with proper clearances and orientation), and operates correctly by measuring pressure differentials. They will then complete and submit a test report to the city. The city reviews the report for compliance; approval is not granted on-site during the test.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Colorado specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Aurora, Colorado Springs, Denver), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 41 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- Local sewer use regulations, water connection requirements, road/sidewalk ordinances, grease discharge limits
- Aurora — Department of Public Works (DPW)
- Colorado Springs — Department of Public Works (DPW)
- Denver — Department of Public Works (DPW)
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