Colorado's pilot program will start March 10. The new numbering system means consumers will not have to deal with new area codes for several more years. Colorado has implemented two new area codes since 1996 and started 10-digit dialing in the Denver area to cope with the shortage of phone numbers. But the need for new phone numbers has grown with Colorado's population, and as technology has increased demand for phone lines. The commission still has to come up with a way to pay for the conversion to the new program.
Commissioners plan to discuss the conversion with phone companies sometime next month.