Streetlights

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 in the maintenance system. Depending on the location and severity of the issue, response times may vary from a few weeks to a few months. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this important upgrade to our streetlighting system.

Most city-owned streetlights have been 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 have been converted:

• Streetlight Conversion Map

Responsible stewardship of community funds

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 under city control.

Environment

Many of the streetlights previously owned by Xcel Energy used outdated technology that was inefficient and provided a lower-quality light. Newer technology, called Light Emitting Diode or LEDs , is efficient, dimmable, and provides 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.

Reliability improvements

High-performing and reliable streetlights can self-report outages. The streetlights previously owned by Xcel Energy didn’t automatically notify the City when they were out. People had to report an outage to get lights fixed or replaced. This system led to unnecessary, prolonged outages. We have now converted the lights to new technology that automatically lets us know when the lights need repairs or replacement. 

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.

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.

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

Community engagement was a key part of the 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. Read a summary of what people in Boulder think about streetlights.

Technical Analysis

A consultant who 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.

There will be several benefits to our community:

• Smart technology to support automated real-time outage reporting. This will improve response times and support preventative maintenance.
• New dark-sky-friendly light fixtures that will keep light focused where it is needed, reducing spillover light that affects night-sky viewing and wildlife, such as migratory birds.
• Cost savings over time.

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 the best national practices. Boulder had many older lights, some of which had reached the end of their lifespan and had even turned off entirely, which is another reason why these LEDs seem brighter than what everyone is used to.

We specifically selected new dark-sky-friendly light fixtures that will focus light where it is needed and reduce light spillover affecting the night sky and wildlife, such as migratory birds.

All streetlight luminaires are “fully cut off” – meaning that the fixture is designed to minimize light pollution by directing all light downward. This prevents light from escaping sideways or upward into the night sky, which causes glare and skyglow.

For International Dark Sky (IDA) certification, the No Side Panel option and 3000k or warmer LEDs must be selected. The City selected luminaires without side panels and a color temperature of 2700k.

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.

A consultant who 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.

Side panels are not a viable option for several reasons.

• Side panels on streetlights prevent dark sky compliance by allowing light to scatter horizontally and upward, which creates light pollution.
• Side panels collect dirt and debris, interfering with proper illumination for the safety of travelers. This is especially true when factoring in maintenance resource constraints as impacts multiply across the citywide streetlighting system.

The streetlight conversion is a one-for-one replacement. Evaluating the number and locations of streetlights is not part of this project phase and will take place during a future city process.

• We provide corridor-style lighting on major streets, which is when there is regular spacing between streetlights.
• On collector streets, which are streets that move traffic from smaller streets to arterial roads, streetlighting is provided at intersections and busy crossings for people walking and biking.
• Streetlighting is typically not provided on local streets except at busy crossings.