Planning a move to Denver? Starting a new business there? Then you need to know about the 303 area code. This three-digit code connects you with millions of people in Colorado’s capital city.
The 303 area code has quite a story. It started way back in 1947 as Colorado’s very first phone code. Today, over 3.5 million people use it to make calls in Denver, Boulder, and nearby towns. But here’s something cool: locals love this code so much, they throw parties every March 3rd (3/03) to celebrate it!
We’ll walk you through everything about the 303 area code. You’ll discover which cities use it and how it works with two other codes, 720 and 983. By the end, you’ll understand Denver’s phone system like a local.
Ready to learn about Colorado’s most famous area code? Let’s get started.
Key Takeaways
- The 303 area code started in 1947 as Colorado’s first phone code and now serves over 3.5 million people in Denver, Boulder, and nearby cities, with locals celebrating it yearly on March 3 (3/03).
- Due to high demand, Denver added two more area codes—720 in 1998 and 983 in 2022—creating an overlay system that serves 26 cities in the Denver-Boulder metro area, with all three codes working in the same region.
- The 303 area code region includes major business hubs like Denver (with 1,341 hair salons and 226 barber shops), Aurora (226 hair salons, 20 barber shops), and Thornton (16 hair salons, 20 barber shops, and 42 spas), all requiring ten-digit dialing in the Mountain Time Zone.
History and Significance of the 303 Area Code
The 303 area code tells the story of Denver’s growth. It began serving Colorado in 1947 and became such a big part of local culture that people still fight to keep their 303 numbers today.
Origin and establishment in 1947
Colorado got its very own area code in 1947. The phone companies chose 303 as part of a huge plan for all of North America. This special number covered every single town in Colorado, from tiny mountain villages to big cities.
Why did they pick 303? The number was super easy to dial on those old rotary phones. You know, the ones with the spinning dial? People loved having their own Colorado code. It made them feel special and connected.
For 41 years, 303 was the only area code in the whole state. That changed in 1988 when Colorado Springs got its own code. But Denver kept 303, and locals held onto it with pride. Some folks have had the same 303 number for decades. Ellen Kessler, Barbara Coppins, and Geri Shafer still use their original numbers from way back then.
Today, having a 303 number means something. It shows you’re a true Denver local. People even celebrate their love for this code on March 3rd every year. They call it 303 Day!
Transition to overlay with 720 and 983 area codes
By 1998, Denver had a problem. Too many people needed phone numbers! The city was growing fast. Cell phones were becoming popular. Every home and business wanted multiple lines. The 303 area code was running out of numbers to give.
The solution? Add another area code to work alongside 303. The 720 area code arrived in 1998. Now neighbors on the same street might have different area codes. One house could have 303, while the house next door got 720. Both codes worked in the exact same areas.
This system is called an overlay. It’s like having two zip codes for the same neighborhood. The phone companies could now give out twice as many numbers.
But Denver kept growing. By 2022, even two codes weren’t enough. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission approved a third code: 983. Now Denver has three area codes all working together. These codes serve 26 cities across the Denver and Boulder metro areas.
Local businesses love having choices. They can pick from any of the three codes when they get new phone lines. Some still prefer 303 because customers recognize it. Others are happy with any code that works.
Geographic Coverage of the 303 Area Code
The 303 area code covers a huge chunk of central Colorado. It stretches across the Front Range, from mountain towns to busy suburbs. Let’s explore which communities use this famous code.
Major cities and communities served
Denver sits at the center of the 303 area code region. But many other cities and towns share this special phone code too. Each place adds its own flavor to the 303 family.
- Denver leads the pack as Colorado’s capital. The city has 1,341 hair salons and 226 barber shops using 303 numbers.
- Aurora spreads across the eastern side with 226 hair salons and 20 barber shops serving residents.
- Lakewood fills the western suburbs. Families and businesses there have used 303 for generations.
- Thornton keeps growing north of Denver. Locals enjoy 16 hair salons, 20 barber shops, and 42 spas.
- Westminster sits between Denver and Boulder. New shops and restaurants open there every month.
- Boulder brings college energy to the 303 region. Students and professors share this area code.
- Centennial offers shopping and dining in the southern metro area.
- Arvada mixes old-town charm with modern growth. Historic shops sit next to new developments.
- Littleton provides a small-town feel just minutes from downtown Denver.
- Smaller towns fill the gaps between big cities. Each community relies on 303 to stay connected.
- Business is booming across the region. Denver alone has 69 wellness centers and 1,341 fitness gyms.
- Mountain communities near Denver use 303 too. This helps visitors and locals stay in touch easily.
The 303 area keeps expanding as suburbs grow. New neighborhoods pop up every year. More people means more phones. And more phones means the 303 family keeps getting bigger.
Key Features of the 303 Area Code
Using the 303 area code comes with some special rules. These features help millions of people make calls smoothly every day. Let’s look at what makes this code tick.
Time zone and dialing requirements
Denver runs on Mountain Time. The city switches between Mountain Standard Time and Mountain Daylight Time with the seasons. In winter, Denver is seven hours behind London. In summer, it’s six hours behind.
Making calls in the 303 area requires ten digits every time. You can’t just dial seven numbers anymore. Even calling your next-door neighbor needs the full area code plus seven digits. This rule started when 720 and 983 joined the region.
Why ten digits? Simple. Three area codes share the same space now. The phone system needs all ten numbers to know which line to connect. Without the area code, your call won’t go through.
Businesses had to update their signs and ads when this changed. They couldn’t just list seven digits anymore. Everyone had to learn the new way. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission made these rules to prevent problems.
The good news? Once you get used to it, ten-digit dialing becomes automatic. Most phones save numbers with the area code anyway. And cell phones always use ten digits, so many people were ready for the change.
Takeaways
The 303 area code shapes how Denver stays connected. From its start in 1947 to today’s three-code system, it shows how much Colorado has grown. Over 3.5 million people now share this historic code with newer ones like 720 and 983.
Living or working in Denver means understanding these area codes. They all cover the same places, from downtown Denver to Boulder’s mountains. You might get any of the three codes for your new phone line.
The 303 area code remains special to locals. It represents Denver’s history and growth. People celebrate it, businesses want it, and residents keep their 303 numbers for decades. This simple three-digit code connects the Mile High City and keeps Colorado talking.
FAQs on 303 Area Code
1. What areas does the 303 area code cover in Colorado?
The 303 area code serves the Denver metropolitan area and parts of the Rocky Mountain region. This includes Denver, Fort Collins, Vail, and Aspen. It was the first area code in the entire state of Colorado.
2. When did changes happen to the 303 area code?
In 1995, the 303 area code split. Southern Colorado got area code 719, including Colorado Springs. The Denver area kept 303 for local business numbers and phone services.
3. Can I get a 303 area code for my business phone number?
Yes! You can get a 303 phone number through a VoIP phone vendor. This gives you a local business presence in Denver. The number comes with features like call forwarding and voicemail.
4. How does the North American Numbering Plan affect the 303 area code?
The telephone numbering plan manages all area codes, including 303. It helps sort local area codes and makes sure there are enough numbers for the populous Denver region.
5. What business features come with a 303 phone number?
A 303 business number includes caller ID, an automated attendant, and customer support options. You can also get a virtual receptionist to handle your calls.
6. Do I need to be in Denver to use a 303 area code?
No! Thanks to modern phone systems, you can use a 303 number from anywhere. Many local businesses use these numbers to keep a Denver presence in their directory listings.
