For as long as most can remember, the part of Colorado where Frederick High is located has received one of two area codes for phone numbers: 303 or 720. However, due to an increase in demand for new phone numbers from around the state, a new area code is being put into place starting this summer, which is 983.

“With new telephone numbers in the greater Denver area in high demand, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission approved the implementation of the new 983 area code to overlay the existing 303/720 region, which serves the metropolitan area of Denver and surrounding communities such as Aurora, Boulder, Brighton, Castle Rock, Columbine, Englewood, Erie, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Littleton, Longmont, Thornton, Westminster and Wheat Ridge,” reads a Press Release by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.

While the addition of the new area code will add additional phone numbers for new users, everything else will remain the same as before, with the following being examples from the Press Release by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies:

• “Telephone numbers, including the current area code, will not change.
• The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the overlay.
• What is a local call now will remain a local call.
• Customers in the overlay region will continue to dial 10 digits for local calls within and between the overlay area codes, and 1+10 digits for long-distance calls.
• Customers can still dial just three digits to reach 911, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, or 811 if those are currently available in their community.”

The new area code will begin to be implemented on June 17, 2022 for anyone who purchases a new phone line or changes their services from the one that thye currently have.

“Starting on June 17, 2022, customers in the 303/720 area code overlay region may be assigned a number in the new 983 area code when they request a new service or an additional line,” reads a Press Release by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. “The 983 area code will co-exist everywhere in this region with the 303 and 720 area codes,” it adds.

The Scout encourages you to visit www.dora.colorado.gov if you have any additional questions on this upcoming change for the most up-to-date resources and information.