Tested every year by a certified tester, with the report sent to the City of Golden. And drained properly before Golden's early freeze.
Golden backflow rules at a glance
| Water provider | City of Golden, Cross Connection Control |
|---|---|
| Who can test | A certified backflow tester |
| How often | Every year |
| How reports are filed | By email to backflow@cityofgolden.net; testers can use their own forms |
| If it isn't tested | The city says failing to do required testing can result in termination of service |
| Program contact | Cross-Connection Coordinator, 303-384-8170 |
Summarized from City of Golden's published program information (source), checked October 2026. The notice from your water provider always has the final word on your due date.
Winterize the backflow early
Golden sits at the base of the foothills and often gets its first hard freeze before the rest of the metro. A PVB or RP left full of water is the part most likely to crack. A sprinkler blowout takes care of it.
What we do on a Golden backflow test
- Confirm the assembly type, size, and serial number against your provider's records
- Test every check valve and relief valve with a differential pressure gauge calibrated October 2026 and traceable to NIST
- Tag the assembly with the service date, our business information, and the tester's certification number
- File the completed report the way City of Golden requires
- Send you a copy of the report, with photos
If the assembly fails
Most failures come down to a dirty or worn check valve, a tired relief valve, or a split rubber part. Those get cleaned or rebuilt and retested, usually in the same visit, after you approve the price. If the body itself is cracked, usually from a missed winterization, the assembly has to be replaced. Replacing an assembly is installation work, which in Colorado needs a licensed plumber; we'll tell you exactly what's needed and do the retest once it's in.
Before we come out
- Have the notice from your water provider handy, or send a photo of it when you book
- Tell us where the assembly is, and leave any gate unlocked or the mechanical room open
- For sprinkler assemblies, the water needs to be on. If the system is still winterized, we can do the spring startup and the test in one visit.
Not sure what kind of assembly you have? PVB vs. DCVA vs. RPZ →
Backflow testing nearby
Denver · Aurora · Thornton · Westminster · Arvada · Northglenn · Broomfield · Lakewood · Englewood · Commerce City · Wheat Ridge · Parker · Boulder · Louisville · Lafayette · Greenwood Village · Centennial · Commercial & HOA testing · For plumbing & irrigation companies · Every provider's rules
More in Golden: water heater repair and replacement in Golden · all plumbing services in Golden