Set-up Services

Getting Gas Service

Columbia area natural gas service is provided by AmerenUE. Apply via telephone: 1-800-552-7583.

Setting up your electricity

Where you live in Columbia will depend on which provider will serve you.

If your area is served by the city of Columbia, apply at the City-County Building, 725 E. Broadway or online at https://www.gocolumbiamo.com/webapps/svcapp/svc_ request.html. For more information call 874-7380.
If your area is served by Boone Electric Cooperative, apply in person at 1413 Rangeline. For more information contact 449-4181.

Getting water service

The City of Columbia and the public water districts are the water providers for Columbia. The provider that will serve you is dependent on the location of your residence. If your area is served by a public water district, your landlord can tell you which district to contact.

Trash collection

Curbside trash pick-up is provided for residents once a week by the city. To find out which day trash is collected in your neighborhood, call 874-6291. You are automatically billed for trash collection when you open your water and electric account with the city.
If you live outside the city limits, you must contact private companies for trash collection.

Recycling

The City of Columbia provides curbside collection for recyclables along with the trash service. Many apartment complexes also provide a recycling bin on a rotational basis. Call Columbia Public Works Department at 874-6291 or your apartment complex manager for more information.

Add Telephone

Landline telephone service in the Columbia area is provided by CenturyTel, located at 625 East Cherry.
To arrange for installation, call the CenturyTel Business Office, 1-800-201-4099
For telephone repair, call 1-800-824-2877.
Columbia phone books are available at the CenturyTel office or the Chamber of Commerce located at 300 South Providence Road.

There are several cell phone service providers in the area. Look at the yellow pages of the phone book to find the right one for your needs.

Cable

There are two cable service providers in Columbia; Mediacom and Charter Communications. To find out which one services your area, call
Mediacom at 443-1535 or Charter Communications at 888-871-4485.

Register to vote

Missouri has no residency requirements for voter registration, but voters must:

• Be registered by the third Wednesday before an election
  
• Be a citizen of the US
  
• Live in Boone County
  
• Be at least 18 years old by the day of the next election
  

You must re-register if you have changed your name or moved. To register, obtain absentee ballots or determine your ward or precinct, contact the Office of Elections and Voter Registration, Boone County Government Center, 801 East Walnut, Room 236, 886-4375. Forms can also be accessed online at http://www.showmeboone.com/.

Drivers license and vehicle regstration

Within 30 days of establishing residency, drivers need to obtain a Missouri operator’s license. The Missouri State Department of Revenue maintains the License Bureau office at 3610 Buttonwood Drive, 882-9593. To register your vehicle at the License Bureau, you must present proof of insurance, a current safety inspection and a tax waiver from the County Assessor’s Office.

Contact information you may need

Area code 573 for Columbia

Columbia Information

• Boone County Tenants Association: 882-7670
  
• Columbia Chamber of Commerce: 874-1132
  
• Columbia City Hall and Information Desk: 874-7111
  
• Columbia Parks and Recreation: 874-7460
  
• Columbia Public Library: 443-3161
  
• Columbia Health Department Hotline: 874-7339
  
• Voter Registration: 886-4375
  
• Post Office 876-7829
  
• Protective Inspection: 874-7474
  
• Weather Service: 442-5171
  
• Attorney General Consumer Protection Hotline: 1-800-392-8222
  
• Directory Assistance: 1-411
  
• University of Missouri Columbia Directory Assistance: 882-2121

Emergency Numbers

• 911
  
• Boone County Sheriff: 875-1111
  
• Columbia Police Department: 442-6131 (Call first, Non-emergency) or 874-7652
  
• Community Action Team: 874-7714, 874-7731, 874-7713
  
• Crime Free Programs Coordinator: 874-7426
  
• Crime Stoppers: 875-8477
  
• Fire Department: 874-7391
  
• Missouri State Highway Patrol (Non-emergency): 573-751-1000
  
• Missouri State Highway Patrol (Emergency): 1-800-525-5555

Hospitals

• Boone Hospital Center: 815-8000
  
• Columbia Regional Hospital: 875-9000
  
• University Hospitals and Clinics: 882-4141

Utilities

• Boone Electric Cooperative: 449-4181
  
• Water and Light Department: 874-7325
  
• Accounts/Billing: 874-7380
  
• After hours and emergency: 875-2555
  
• Public Works Refuse Collection: 874-6291
  
• Recycling Information: 874-6291
  
• Ameren UE: 1-800-552-7583
  
• 24-hour service and emergency: 875-2555 or 874-2144

Internet resources

• Department of Housing and Urban Development: http://www.hud.gov
• Columbia Police Department: http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Police/
• Wellness Resource Center: http://wellness.missouri.edu
• Student Health Center: http://www.studenthealth.missouri.edu
• Columbia Chamber of Commerce: http://chamber.columbia.mo.us
• Stuff to Do: http://stufftodo.missouri.edu/
• University of Missouri Police Department: http://www.mupolice.com/
  

Landlord/tenant Information

• Scott Law Firm: http://www.scottlawfirm.com/landlord.htm
• Missouri Attorney General’s Office: http://ago.missouri.gov/publications/landlordtenant.htm
• Columbia City Government: http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/
• Online Application For City Utilities: https://www.gocolumbiamo.com/webapps/svcapp/svc_request.html
• Columbia Volunteer Information: http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Volunteer/
• MSA Student Legal Services: http://students.missouri.edu/~sls/

The following resources were used in this guide

Missouri’s Landlord Tenant Law
Home Security
Protecting Your World
Syracuse University Off-Campus Guide
Ohio State University Off-Campus Guide
University of Miami Off-Campus Handbook
City of Columbia

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