A path to improving safety, performance and reliability while reducing costs.
2021 - Summer 2023
Spring 2023
Fall 2023
Purchase complete in 2024; Conversion begins in 2025
We have purchased over 4,400 streetlights from Xcel Energy and are now converting these lights to more efficient LEDs. This project will save costs, update technology, improve reliability and safety, and reduce carbon emissions.
Colorado Lighting, Inc. (CLI) was selected as the installation contractor through a competitive bidding process. They are scheduled to begin the LED conversion in March 2025, with construction expected to take approximately 15 to 18 months.
Provides for the safety and comfort needs of all community members. We previously paid Xcel Energy for streetlight services. These costs have risen significantly. While we had no way to control costs, we were responsible for all costs Xcel incurred. We will save money now that we have acquired the lights and brought them into city control. The project has the potential to see a return on investment within seven years. We will save or reinvest an estimated 1 million per year in operational and maintenance costs.
Many of the streetlights previously owned by Xcel Energy use outdated technology, that is inefficient and provides a lower-quality light. Newer technology, called Light Emitting Diode or LEDs are efficient, dimmable, and provide better light quality along with energy and greenhouse gas reductions. Since LED lights are much more efficient than the lights in current streetlights, we estimate that by converting all city streetlights, we can reduce emissions by about 1,000 metric tons of carbon — which is roughly equivalent to taking 254 gas vehicles off the road.
High-performing and reliable streetlights can self-report outages. Current streetlights don't automatically notify the City when they are out. People must report an outage to get lights fixed or replaced. This system leads to unnecessary, prolonged outages. By purchasing the lights from Xcel, we can now convert them to new technology that automatically lets us know when lights need repairs or replacement.
Sign up for the city’s Climate Initiatives and Transportation and Mobility e-newsletters for monthly updates on projects and other relevant news.
Streetlights include lights that are above the public right of way, such as public streets.
The city does not own or maintain area lights, which are lights over private property, such as at condos or parking lots.
If there is an issue with a streetlight within city limits, you can make a service request on Inquire Boulder. Your ticket will be closed on Inquire Boulder once we document your request into the maintenance system. Depending on the location and LED conversion timeline, response times may vary from a few weeks to a few months during this transition period. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this important upgrade to our streetlighting system.
The decision was based on what we heard from the community, feedback from Community Connectors, data on costs and efficiency, and other technical considerations.
Community engagement is a key part of this project. In 2023, the community weighed in on the selection of the new LED color temperatures — how warm or cool a light appears. Overwhelmingly, participants indicated their preference for warmer lighting at 2700 Kelvin, a conclusion additionally supported by best practices and technical analyses. View a summary of the streetlight color temperatures our community cares about.
A consultant that specializes in lighting prepared a comprehensive photometric analysis of the entire streetlight system to ensure that the converted streetlights will properly illuminate roads and sidewalks. This work considered the street layout, pole locations, mounting height, street classification and pedestrian activity for identifying the proper luminaire, or fixture, and target lighting levels. The selection of the proper luminaire encompasses both a wattage/lumen output (quantity of light output) and the distribution type (area of lighting) specification. This includes selecting distribution types to maximize the light on streets and minimize light trespass. The target lighting levels are based on the RP-8 (Recommended Practices for Lighting of Roadways) which is published by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and is considered the industry’s best practice approach.
While the new lights may appear brighter and may take some time to get used to, the newly installed LEDs have comparable lumens to the previous HPS lights.
The previous lighting provided by Xcel Energy did not meet current lighting standards. The older lighting was far below recommended photometric standards and inconsistent with our citywide initiatives. The target lighting levels are now based on national best practices. Boulder has many older lights, some of which have reached the end of their lifespan and have even turned off entirely, which is another reason why these LEDs seem brighter than what everyone is used to.
A consultant that specializes in lighting prepared a comprehensive photometric analysis of the entire streetlight system. For each streetlight, the analysis identified the type of LED design required, along with the need for shields. The design considered various factors described in the FAQs and we will continue to support these photometric results. Shields will be provided for locations that the photometric analysis identified.
We recognize that the brightness of the streetlight may feel different from what you are used to. We kindly ask our community to allow some time to adjust to the new LED streetlights.
Yes. 3,000K and below is considered dark sky compliant. Additionally, streetlights are one of several exemptions from the outdoor lighting ordinance, as this regulation applies specifically to private property lighting. Streetlights are public lighting, located within the right-of-way. They are essential for maintaining safety on the roads for all forms of transportation.
LEDs offer improved visibility, better color rendering and higher uniformity compared to the previous HPS lights. The LEDs will also help address certain dark spots in the city.
There are about 5,100 city-owned streetlights.
Xcel Energy previously owned and operated about 4,500 of these streetlights while the city owned and operated 600.
Color temperature is how warm or cool a light is, such as whether it appears yellower or bluer. LEDs come in a range of color temperatures.
In 2023, the community weighed in on the selection of the new LED color temperatures. The pilot included: 2,200K, 2,700K, 3,000K, 4,000K. Overwhelmingly, participants indicated their preference for warmer lighting at 2700 Kelvin, a conclusion additionally supported by best practices and technical analyses. 3,000K and below is considered dark sky compliant. We selected the second lowest of the commonly available product color temperature options (2700k). We will replace lights with this warmer color temperature moving forward.
Examples of warm and cool streetlighting.
Most city-owned streetlights will be converted. A few city streetlights will be converted at a later time in the project due to additional complexities, including the types of streetlight fixtures. This includes Pearl Street streetlights.
We have a map showing where streetlights will be converted.
Streetlight points will appear on the map as they are converted to an LED. There may be several crews working on the light at different times, so there may be delays before a streetlight is marked completed on the map.
We will gradually convert streetlights during two phases over several years to responsibly fund the project and to work with our contractor’s planned construction schedule.
The phases prioritize key transportation and equity considerations in the city. The first phase will take place near Boulder’s priority Core Arterial Network initiative, the connected system of transportation improvements along Boulder’s main corridors that will make it safer, more comfortable and convenient for people to get where they need to go no matter how they travel.
There will be several benefits to our community:
Additionally, we recognize that the conversion process may have an impact on people who use the street. Before installing new LEDs, we will work to notify impacted community members. There may be different impacts depending on the location:
The installation, maintenance and removal of streetlights will comply with all city requirements including dust control, work zone safety, and landscaping restoration.
The streetlight conversion will be a one-for-one replacement. Evaluating the number of streetlights and streetlight locations is not part of this project phase and will take place during a future city process. Currently, this work is anticipated to begin in 2028.
Given the cost savings associated with city ownership, reduced energy costs and other efficiencies, we estimate we can save $1 million per year in operational and maintenance costs. The project would get a return on investment within 6.8 years.
Converting streetlights to city ownership and operation will support community goals reflected in the Sustainability, Equity and Resilience Framework (PDF), including toward safety, saving money and reducing emissions. Savings will be reinvested into streetlights.
