Most new phone numbers in the metro-Denver area will have a 983 area code starting in June.
The change was approved by Colorado's Public Utilities Commission last year to help absorb a growing number of phone lines in the region. Existing 303 and 720 code holders (there are roughly 7.9 million) will keep their digits as the change rolls in.
"The 983 area code will co-exist everywhere in this region with the 303 and 720 area codes," the Department of Regulatory Agencies said in a statement on Tuesday previewing the change. It officially takes effect on June 17.
"Customers receiving a 983 area code will be required to dial the area code and phone number for all local calls, just as customers with numbers from the 303 and 720 area codes do today," the agency said.
The new code will serve the same geographic region as 303 and 720, which includes Aurora, Boulder, Brighton, Castle Rock, Columbine, Denver, Englewood, Erie, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Littleton, Longmont, Thornton, Westminster and Wheat Ridge.
Customers do not need to contact their phone service provider to keep their number intact, DORA said. The price of a call, coverage area, or other rates and services will not change due to the 983 overlay.
Three digit emergency numbers for 911, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 or 811 will remain the same as well.
Major carriers, including Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T, have published information pages for customers.
