Exhibit 8.1

August 17, 2011

DCP Midstream Partners, LP

370 17th Street

Suite 2775

Denver, CO 80202

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to DCP Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), with respect to certain legal matters in connection with the preparation of and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a prospectus supplement on Form 424B (the “Prospectus Supplement”) filed with the Commission on August 17, 2011. In connection therewith, we have participated in the preparation of the discussion (the “Discussion”) set forth under the caption “Material Tax Consequences” in the Prospectus Supplement.

In rendering the Opinions (as defined below), we have examined, and relied upon, the following records, certificates, representations, and other documents:

Holland & Hart LLP Attorneys at Law

Phone (303) 295-8000 Fax (303) 295-8261 www.hollandhart.com

555 17th Street Suite 3200 Denver, Colorado 80202-3979 Mailing Address P.O. Box 8749 Denver, Colorado 80201-8749

Aspen Billings Boise Boulder Carson City Cheyenne Colorado Springs Denver Denver Tech Center Jackson Hole Las Vegas Reno Salt Lake City Santa Fe Washington, D.C.

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For purposes of rendering the Opinions, as to all factual representations and assumptions, we have relied solely on the above-referenced documents and have not made any independent investigation or audit of the facts set forth therein. We consequently have relied upon the representations in the Management Representation Letter that the factual information presented in such documents or otherwise furnished to us are accurate and complete and have assumed that the information presented in such documents or otherwise furnished to us are accurate and complete in all material respects. We are not aware of any material facts or circumstances to the contrary to, or inconsistent with, the representations upon which we have relied as described herein or other assumptions set forth herein. The opinions expressed in this letter are strictly limited to the Opinions and no other opinions may be implied. No inference should be drawn on any matter for which we have not specifically given an opinion. These Opinions are provided as legal opinions only, effective as of the date of this letter, and not as a guaranty or warranty of the matters discussed or referenced herein or as representations of fact.

In connection with the Opinions, we have assumed, with your consent:

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In connection with the preparation of the Discussion, we hereby express the following opinions (the “Opinions”):

The Opinions are based on relevant provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Treasury regulations thereunder (including proposed and temporary Treasury regulations), and interpretations of the foregoing as expressed in court decisions, legislative history, and administrative determinations by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) (including its practices and policies in issuing private letter rulings which are not binding on the IRS, except with respect to the taxpayer that receives such a ruling), all as in effect on the date hereof (collectively, the “Federal Tax Law”). The Federal Tax Law is subject to changes (which may apply retroactively) that might result in material modifications of the Opinions.

The Opinions do not foreclose the possibility of a contrary determination by the IRS or a court of competent jurisdiction, or of a contrary position by the IRS or the Treasury Department in regulations or rulings issued in the future. In this regard, although we believe that the Opinions will be sustained if challenged, an opinion of counsel with respect to an issue is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and is not a guarantee that the IRS will not assert a contrary position with respect to such issue or that a court will not sustain such a position asserted by the IRS.

We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the Opinions or of any new developments in the application or interpretation of the Federal Tax Law subsequent to the date of this letter. The Partnership’s qualification and taxation as a publicly traded partnership that is not taxable as a corporation depends on the Partnership’s ability to meet, on a continuing basis, the various requirements under the Federal Tax Law with regard to, among other things, the sources of its income. We will not review the Partnership’s compliance with these requirements on a continuing basis. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the operations of the Partnership or the sources of its income, for any given taxable year, will satisfy the requirements

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under the Federal Tax Law for qualification and taxation as a publicly traded partnership that is not taxable as a corporation.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion of counsel as an exhibit to the Prospectus Supplement and to the reference to our firm in the Prospectus Supplement. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are (i) experts within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act, or (ii) within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission issued thereunder.

References in this letter to “we” or “us” and in the Prospectus to “tax counsel” shall mean only the attorneys of Holland & Hart LLP who have materially participated in the preparation of the Discussion and this letter. If any statement in the Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement, or this letter states, or implies, that we have, or have not, taken any particular action, such statement shall be interpreted as referring only to the actions of such attorneys.

Sincerely yours,

/s/ Holland & Hart LLP