The age-old rivalry between the Denver metro area’s 303 and 720 area codes might be coming to an end as a new player is set to enter the game: 983.

Beginning on April 12, residents in the current 303 and 720 area codes will receive 983 phone numbers when setting up new services, additional lines or moving current services, the Public Utilities Commission announced Thursday.

This change comes as the 303 and 720 area codes that serve the Denver metro area are projected to run out of phone numbers by the end of 2022, the commission said.

The addition of 983 is the first time Colorado has gotten a new area code in more than two decades, during which time the state’s population has exploded by over 1.5 million people.

The state used to fall under the 303 area code when the numbering plan was first established in 1947.

However, the area was split in 1988 and 1995, introducing the 719 and 970 area codes, as Colorado’s population and number of phone lines increased.

In 1998, the 720 area code was implemented in the Denver metro area as an overlay to the 303 numbering plan area. The 303/720 distinction has served as a way for Denverites to sniff out old and new residents ever since.

The 983 area code is expected to last approximately 25 years, the commission said.

The 983 area code will not be assigned for use until the old area codes have been exhausted, the commission said. The implementation will occur over a nine-month period, including network preparations and customer education campaigns.

When the implementation happens, all current customers will keep their existing phone numbers and area codes, and the prices of calls and coverage will remain the same.

What is now a local call will remain one and 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 and operator assisted calls.

The age-old rivalry between the Denver metro area’s 303 and 720 area codes might be coming to an end as a new player is set to enter the game: 983.

Beginning on April 12, residents in the current 303 and 720 area codes will receive 983 phone numbers when setting up new services, additional lines or moving current services, the Public Utilities Commission announced Thursday.

This change comes as the 303 and 720 area codes that serve the Denver metro area are projected to run out of phone numbers by the end of 2022, the commission said.

The addition of 983 is the first time Colorado has gotten a new area code in more than two decades, during which time the state’s population has exploded by over 1.5 million people.

The state used to fall under the 303 area code when the numbering plan was first established in 1947.

However, the area was split in 1988 and 1995, introducing the 719 and 970 area codes, as Colorado’s population and number of phone lines increased.

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In 1998, the 720 area code was implemented in the Denver metro area as an overlay to the 303 numbering plan area. The 303/720 distinction has served as a way for Denverites to sniff out old and new residents ever since.

The 983 area code is expected to last approximately 25 years, the commission said.

The 983 area code will not be assigned for use until the old area codes have been exhausted, the commission said. The implementation will occur over a nine-month period, including network preparations and customer education campaigns.

When the implementation happens, all current customers will keep their existing phone numbers and area codes, and the prices of calls and coverage will remain the same.

What is now a local call will remain one and 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 and operator assisted calls.