person writing on a blueprint

Infrastructure Engineering Services Right of Way (ROW) Permits

  • Permit requests sent via email will not be processed.  

  • Applications for original permits, extensions, and renewals must be submitted using the online permit applications. 

      •  Original Permit:
      • There is not yet an existing permit for the scope of work at the job site. 
       Permit Extension:
      • Permit has been expired for thirty (30) days or fewer, and scope of work is not being modified,  and traffic control plans are not being modified. Traffic control fees apply. 
       Permit Renewal:
      • Permit has been expired for thirty-one (31) days or more, or the scope of work and/or contractor performing the work has changed. Construction and traffic control fees apply. 

  • Standard review time is at least five (5) business days, plus an additional two (2) days for processing. 

  • If you request a start date fewer than seven (7) calendar days away, select the earliest calendar option on the form and include your desired dates in the “Special Conditions” field. 

  • We cannot guarantee that an earlier permit date will be fulfilled, but efforts will be made to honor the dates requested. 

  • Payments submitted after 1:00 p.m. will not be processed until the following business day.  

    • A receipt from our “noreply” email address indicates that payment has been captured. It does not indicate that the permit has been fully processed.  
  • All work shall comply with the provided permit conditions.

Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Permits

For Thornton CIP projects. Applicants must complete the Infrastructure CIP Construction Permit application. Requirements for this application include, but are not limited to:

  • Contractor must have a Thornton Contractor’s license.
  • If a bore crosses a City of Thornton Utility, a plan and profile (SUE Level A), is required. 
    • Approximate location of these utilities can be found on the online Utility Map. 
    • When planning a project involving boring please submit traffic and construction applications for a design potholing event. 
    • Once a plan and profile has been developed, submit traffic and construction applications for the construction/boring phase.
  • Supply the Thornton Project Manager’s name and CIP project number.
  • An approved Traffic Control Permit when one is required. This is obtained through the Infrastructure CIP Traffic Permit application.
  • Pre-construction meeting with Thornton staff no less than 48 hours before starting work.

Franchise Permits

For work including, but not limited to, potholing, boring, trenching, utility pole work, any work in and outside Thornton and/or its right-of-way. Applicable only to franchisees (Comcast, United Power, Xcel Energy) and their subcontractors. Applicants must complete the Infrastructure Franchise Construction Permit application. Requirements for this application include, but are not limited to:

  • Contractor must have a Thornton Contractor’s license.
  • If a bore crosses a City of Thornton Utility, a plan and profile (SUE Level A), is required. 
    • Approximate location of these utilities can be found on the online Utility Map. 
    • When planning a project involving boring please submit traffic and construction applications for a design potholing event. 
    • Once a plan and profile has been developed, submit traffic and construction applications for the construction/boring phase.
  • An approved Traffic Control Permit if one is required. This is obtained through the Infrastructure Franchise Traffic Permit application.
  • $250 permit fee.
  • Pre-construction meeting with Thornton staff no less than 48 hours before starting work.

General Permits

For projects not associated with CIP, Franchise, Water/Sewer service repair, or Chase Drain installation/Curb Cuts. Applicants must complete the Infrastructure Other Construction Permit application. Requirements for this application include, but are not limited to:

  • Contractor must have a Thornton Contractor’s license.
  • If a bore crosses a City of Thornton Utility, a plan and profile (SUE Level A), is required. 
    • Approximate location of these utilities can be found on the online Utility Map. 
    • When planning a project involving boring please submit traffic and construction applications for a design potholing event. 
    • Once a plan and profile has been developed, submit traffic and construction applications for the construction/boring phase.
  • An approved Traffic Control Permit if one is required. This is obtained through the Infrastructure Other Traffic Permit application.
  • Permit cost is dependent on the total construction cost of the project. 
  • Bond/Escrow will be held for two years from the Final Inspection. The bond amount is to be determined by the City Engineer.
  • Pre-construction meeting with Thornton staff no less than 48 hours before starting work.

General construction permits may have the following additional requirements:

  • ROW Use Agreement - An agreement between the contractor and the city of Thornton to have permission to work within the city’s right-of-way (ROW). The ROW Use Agreement covers contractors placing fiber within the city’s ROW but applies to contractors building a structure and/or facility. The ROW Use Agreement is written by the Infrastructure Traffic Manager, the first contact in the agreement process. This agreement requires approval from the city of Thornton’s City Council.
  • Revocable Permit - A permit allowing a contractor to place a structure, such as monitoring wells, within the city’s right-of-way (ROW) and is given a designated time frame to remove the structure from the city’s ROW. The designated timeframe can be from one day to three years and up to 100 years, depending on the circumstance. The permit will be revoked with a 90-day notice at the end of the permit timeframe. This permit will go before City Council for approval. Insurance on a Revocable Permit will be for one-year increments for the permit term.
  • Floodplain Development Permit – A Floodplain Development Permit (FDP) is required before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard area. A construction permit will not be issued until the floodplain manager has approved the Floodplain Development Permit.

Sewer Service Repair, Water Service Repair, Chase Drain Installation, and Curb Cut Permits

Sewer/water service repair jobs must have a permit from either the Infrastructure Department or the Building Department, not both. If you are unsure if your work will extend into the right-of-way (ROW) call 720-977-6210 for assistance.

Infrastructure Department issues permits to licensed contractors for:

  • Repairs to Thornton utilities that extend from the yard to the ROW and are within City limits.
  • Repairs to at the connection point/tap to Thornton utilities that are outside City limits*
  • Chase drains within City limits, excluding Heritage Todd Creek

Infrastructure Sewer/Water Service Repair Application

  • Use the job description field to indicate whether you are doing sewer service or water service work
  • Enter the desired work date(s) in the "Special Conditions" field
  • Attach a Traffic Control Plan for the portion of the sidewalk and street that will be obstructed during work.
    *If work is outside City limits you must obtain ROW permit from the appropriate jurisdiction.
  • Enter the contract cost extended to the customer on the "Sanitary Sewer Service" line.
  • Click "Submit Application" to be taken to the Application Summary page. If you are not taken to the summary page, then your application has not been submitted!

Infrastructure Chase Drain Application (application heading is Sewer/Water service repair – this is correct)

  • Use the job description field to indicate that you are installing a chase drain
  • Enter the desired work date(s) in the "Special Conditions" field.
  • Attach a Traffic Control Plan for the portion of the sidewalk that will be obstructed during work.
  • Enter the contract cost extended to the customer on the "Concrete" line.
  • Click "Submit Application" to be taken to the Application Summary page. If you are not taken to the summary page, then your application has not been submitted!

Additional Information

Paving Moratorium - No provider shall cause an open trench excavation or potholing of utilities in the pavement of any ROW for at least one year from the completion or resurfacing unless authorized by the city’s Streets Manager. If an asphalt cut is unavoidable and approved by the Streets Manager, the replacement shall cover a greater area than the original cut, which the streets manager will determine.

Minimal Interference

  • Ten feet minimum horizontal clearance when running along city utilities
  • 18-inch minimum vertical clearance when crossing city utilities
  • If the minimum horizontal and vertical clearances are not adhered to, then the permittee assumes all risk of damage and loss arising out of failure to comply with required clearances. 

Operating Without a Permit - Any person found to be conducting any construction activity, work, or excavation activity without having first obtained a construction permit shall stop all activity until appropriate permit(s) are obtained.

 
Permits that do not require a construction permit - Permits for on-street containers, oversized vehicles, and special events (race/walk, block party, parade, etc.) are processed by Traffic Engineering for no charge.












Permit Applications
Permit Standards
Maps