Backflow Prevention Device Certification in Colorado Springs, Colorado (2026)
Your business can be fined or your water service disconnected for operating without a valid Backflow Prevention Device Certification, a mandatory requirement from Colorado Springs Utilities for any commercial water customer with a cross-connection to the public water supply. Also known as a backflow test report or backflow assembly certification, this document verifies your device is functioning to prevent contamination. Key facts:
- 28 fields – ApronPrep auto-fills 23
- $0–$0 in direct government filing fees (you pay a certified tester)
- Timeline varies – dependent on scheduling with a licensed tester
Analyzed from Backflow Prevention Device Certification
82% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Backflow Prevention Device Certification
The Backflow Prevention Device Certification is a formal assurance to Colorado Springs Utilities and the city's Public Works department that your restaurant's plumbing system will not allow contaminated water (from grease, food waste, or cleaning chemicals) to flow backward into the public potable water supply. This is mandated by the Colorado Springs Municipal Code, Title 9, Chapter 4 (Water and Sewer) and enforced under local sewer use regulations. The primary statute requiring annual testing is the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) Regulation 11, Section 11.39, which delegates enforcement to approved local programs like Colorado Springs Utilities'. Without this certified annual test report on file with the Utilities department, your water service is not in compliance, which can freeze other permits and halt your opening.
Failing to submit an annual certification by the deadline (or not having devices installed and tested at all) triggers immediate enforcement actions. Based on ApronPrep's analysis of violation notices in this jurisdiction, the practical consequences include:
- Service Disconnection: Colorado Springs Utilities can and will shut off water service to your business until the violation is corrected, effectively forcing a closure.
- Fines and Penalties: You incur daily fines for non-compliance, alongside one-time penalties for the violation itself. All remediation work and retesting costs are billed to the property owner.
- Permit & Lease Implications:** Your annual Business License renewal can be blocked. Landlords may be fined for tenant violations, potentially putting your lease at risk. Your property insurance may not cover claims related to water contamination originating from an uncertified or non-compliant device.
Legal code: Local sewer use regulations, water connection requirements, road/sidewalk ordinances, grease discharge limits
Recent update: As of 2026, Colorado Springs Utilities now mandates that all test reports be submitted directly through their online customer portal by the licensed tester, eliminating the option for restaurant owners to submit paper reports themselves.
Who Needs a Backflow Prevention Device Certification?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required by Colorado Springs Utilities' Cross-Connection Control Program, as these establishments have commercial dishwashers, food prep sinks, and other fixtures that create a cross-connection risk to the public water supply. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required due to the presence of glass washers, ice machines, soda guns, and other pressurized equipment that connects directly to the potable water line, constituting a significant cross-connection hazard. |
| Food Truck | Required | Required if the truck has a permanent water connection or on-board water system, as per the 2022 Colorado Springs Fire Department Mobile Food Unit regulations; trucks using only bottled/dispensed water for all operations must verify exemption with the Fire Marshal. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required because commercial espresso machines, coffee brewers, and high-temperature sanitizing units are considered potential cross-connections under Colorado Springs Utilities regulations. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (28 Fields)
23 of 28 auto-filledColorado Springs Utilities Water Account Number
textEnter your exact, active Colorado Springs Utilities water account number for your restaurant's service address; find this number on your most recent CSU water bill.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering the account number from a personal, residential, or closed account, which causes immediate rejection for incorrect account validation.
Restaurant Facility Address
textEnter the complete, official street address of your restaurant as it appears on your CSU water account and business license; include unit or suite number if applicable.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using a P.O. Box, mailing address, or incorrect street suffix (e.g., 'St' vs 'Ave'), which mismatches CSU records and delays processing.
Type of Food Service Establishment
textSelect or enter the precise establishment classification (e.g., 'Restaurant', 'Catering Kitchen', 'Bar/Tavern') that matches your business license and CSU account profile.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using vague or incorrect terms like 'Food Place' or 'Eatery', which fails to align with the city's defined hazard categories for backflow risk assessment.
Backflow Prevention Device Currently Installed
checkboxCheck this box only if a compliant backflow prevention device is physically installed on your potable water service line at the time of application.
COMMON MISTAKE: Incorrectly checking the box when a device is not yet installed, which triggers a failed inspection and a violation notice requiring immediate correction.
Acknowledge Need for Device Installation
checkboxCheck this box to confirm you understand a device must be installed by a licensed plumber before certification can be issued, if you indicated no device is currently installed.
COMMON MISTAKE: Failing to check this box when required, which results in application rejection for incomplete hazard acknowledgment per CSU Cross-Connection Control Manual.
Device Make/Manufacturer
textEnter the manufacturer's name exactly as stamped on the device (e.g., 'Watts', 'Febco', 'Wilkins'); this information is required for the device registry.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering installer or supplier company names instead of the device manufacturer, which fails the specification check against the CSU approved products list.
Device Model Number
textEnter the exact model number from the device's identification tag or plate (e.g., '009QT', 'RPZ-2'); this verifies the device type and rating.
COMMON MISTAKE: Guessing or using an incomplete model number, which leads to rejection because the model cannot be verified for compliance with ASSE/ANSI standards required by CSU.
Device Installation Date
textEnter the date the device was installed, using MM/DD/YYYY format; obtain this from the installer's invoice or test report.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering the purchase date, application date, or an incorrect format, which creates a discrepancy with the tester's records and can void the certification timeline.
Meets Current Colorado Springs Utilities Specifications
textEnter 'Yes' only if the installed device is listed on the current CSU Approved Backflow Preventers list and matches the required hazard level for your establishment.
COMMON MISTAKE: Assuming all devices are compliant; entering 'Yes' for an unapproved or obsolete model results in a failed application and requires device replacement.
Device Accessible for Inspection
checkboxCheck this box to confirm the installed device is unobstructed, readily reachable, and in a location that allows for proper testing by a certified inspector.
COMMON MISTAKE: Checking the box if the device is locked in a closet, behind equipment, or outdoors without clear access, leading to a failed inspection and re-inspection fees.
ApronPrep auto-fills 23 of 28 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 Backflow Prevention Device Certification Mistakes
1. Submitting an Out-of-Date Tester Certification
Using a backflow tester certification that has expired or is from an unapproved organization leads to an immediate rejection. Colorado Springs Utilities only accepts certifications from ASSE, ABPA, or other approved cross-connection control programs. Always check the expiration date on your tester's certification card before scheduling the test — an invalid cert adds 2–3 weeks to your timeline while you find a qualified tester and reschedule.
2. Incorrect Device Serial Number or Location
Entering a partial or incorrect serial number from the backflow prevention device, or listing an inaccurate installation location (e.g., "near boiler room" instead of precise location), causes review delays. The serial number must match exactly the one stamped on the device. Be specific: 'Device #C-2024-5678, installed 3 feet downstream of water meter vault #2 on the east exterior wall.' Ambiguity triggers a site verification request, adding 7–10 business days to approval.
3. Missing or Incomplete Test Report Data
Leaving fields blank on the test report section—especially static pressure, differential pressure, or relief valve opening pressure—is a top rejection reason. The form requires all test gauge readings to be recorded at the time of the test, not estimated later. For example, entering 'N/A' for relief valve opening pressure on an RPZ device will be rejected. Incomplete data invalidates the certification, requiring a full retest and new submission.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Backflow Prevention Device Certification
ApronPrep auto-fills 23 of 28 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 authority for current fees - certification fees vary based on device type and inspector
Timeline: 2–4 Weeks for Initial Certification
Step insertion: Contact Colorado Springs Utilities to request backflow prevention device certification requirements for your commercial water connection
Call Colorado Springs Utilities Water Resources Department at (719) 448-4800 or email them to get the specific device type and installation standards for your business address. You'll need your service address, water account number, and business name ready. This step confirms if you need a reduced pressure principle assembly (RPZ) or a double-check valve assembly (DCVA). Skipping this call is the #1 reason for installing the wrong device, causing a full reinstallation delay.
Step insertion: Hire a certified backflow prevention device tester/inspector (must be approved by Colorado Springs Utilities)
Select a tester from the approved list published on the Colorado Springs Utilities website. You must provide them with your business's water service location and the specific device model required. Tests cost $75–$150 (paid directly to the tester) and are only valid if performed by a tester whose certification is current with the state's Cross-Connection Control Program.
Step insertion: Have the certified inspector test and inspect your backflow prevention device on the commercial water line
The tester will perform a physical inspection and a pressure test on your installed device, recording results on the Colorado Springs Utilities Test and Maintenance Report Form. You must provide access to the water meter and device location. If the device fails, you have 15 calendar days to repair and re-test before a non-compliance notice is issued to Utilities.
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 RequirementsThe timeline for obtaining certification varies significantly based on the installer's schedule and the Colorado Springs Utilities inspection backlog, per their published information. After device installation and paperwork submission, inspection scheduling can take several weeks during peak seasons. Contact Colorado Springs Utilities to confirm current wait times, as this process often runs parallel to finalizing your Building Permit.
The government filing fee for the initial application and certification is $0, according to the Colorado Springs Utilities fee schedule. Your primary costs are for the physical device purchase, professional installation by a licensed tester, and any annual testing fees, which are set by private contractors. Not legal advice — verify all costs with Colorado Springs Utilities.
No, certifications are site-specific and tied to the installed device's location and water service connection. If you move your business, you must apply for a new certification at the new address, which involves a new device, installation, and inspection. This is a separate process from transferring your City Business License/Registration.
Colorado Springs Utilities requires annual testing and certification of all backflow prevention assemblies by a licensed tester, as stated in their Cross-Connection Control Program rules. You must submit a test report to the Utilities department each year by the anniversary date of your initial certification. Failure to renew can result in water service interruption.
A certified inspector from Colorado Springs Utilities or an approved third-party tester will verify the device is the correct type, properly installed, and functioning according to standards (like ASSE 1013 or 1015). They perform a physical test to ensure it prevents backflow and check for proper orientation, accessibility, and that it's protected from freezing. You must provide the tester's official report to the Utilities department for final approval.
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 28 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)
This Form Is One of 60+ Requirements.
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