Denver, Colorado
Commercial Lighting & LED Retrofits in Denver
Lighting is often the first energy project a Denver building takes on. This page explains what usually gets upgraded, what changes on the bill, and how to check current rebates before you buy anything.
Quick answers
Lighting Questions People Ask First
Are there lighting rebates for Denver businesses?
Eligible business customers may have access to commercial lighting rebates from their utility. The amount depends on the measure and the current program rules.
We show the programs we track and link to the official document. We do not guess amounts.
Do I need preapproval before I install new lighting?
Often yes. Many commercial programs want an application before the work starts.
What gets upgraded
Lighting Work in Denver
Commercial Lighting in Denver
Denver has a large stock of older commercial buildings. Many still run fluorescent tubes inside and metal halide or high pressure sodium fixtures outside.
Those fixtures use more electricity than LED for the same amount of light, and they need lamp changes more often.
Why Businesses Upgrade Lighting
Three reasons come up again and again: the power bill, the cost of lamp and ballast changes, and light quality.
A fourth reason is planning. If a building may be covered by a local energy rule, lighting is a clear, low risk way to start improving.
Warehouse Lighting
Warehouses have tall ceilings and long hours, so each fixture runs up a large yearly cost.
LED high bay fixtures with motion sensors are common here, because aisles do not need full light all the time.
Office Lighting
Offices usually have recessed troffers. Upgrades range from a simple lamp swap to full fixture replacement with better controls.
Adding daylight and occupancy control often saves as much as changing the fixture.
Parking Garage Lighting
Garages run lighting around the clock, which makes them one of the strongest savings cases in Denver.
Fixtures with built in sensors can hold a low light level and step up when a car or person is present.
Exterior Lighting
Wall packs, canopies, and pole lights run every night of the year.
LED replacements usually cut wattage and improve how the site looks on camera at night.
Lighting Controls
Controls are sensors, timers, dimming, and scheduling. They lower the hours a fixture runs at full power.
Some utility programs treat controls as their own measure, so ask before you leave them out of a project.
Energy Savings
Lighting savings come from three things: lower wattage per fixture, fewer hours at full output, and less cooling load in some spaces.
Use the savings calculator to see a range for your building. It is an estimate, not a quote.
Project Cost and Payback
Cost depends on fixture count, ceiling height, wiring, and how much of the work happens after hours.
Payback is the project cost, minus rebates, divided by the yearly savings. Long run hours shorten payback the most.
Utility rebates
Current Lighting Rebate Programs
United Power
Pre-Authorized Commercial LED Lighting
Lighting · Commercial · Program year 2026
Existing fixture retrofit only. New construction and LED-to-LED replacement are not eligible. DLC or ENERGY STAR certification required. Generally 20% of fixture/lamp material cost subject to program caps.
- Preapproval needed
- No
- Deadline
- Not verified
Xcel Energy / Public Service Company of Colorado
Commercial Lighting Efficiency
Lighting · Commercial
Lighting efficiency offerings for qualifying Colorado business customers. Prescriptive, instant and custom paths may be available depending on the current program.
Lighting projects are the most common first step for Denver commercial buildings.
- Preapproval needed
- Not verified
- Deadline
- Not verified
| Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Occupancy SensorLighting | Amount not verified — contact the utility or check the official program document. |
| LED Exit SignLighting | Amount not verified — contact the utility or check the official program document. |
| Networked Lighting ControlsLighting | Amount not verified — contact the utility or check the official program document. |
| LED Low BayLighting | Amount not verified — contact the utility or check the official program document. |
| LED Refrigerated Case LightingLighting | Amount not verified — contact the utility or check the official program document. |
| LED High BayLighting | Amount not verified — contact the utility or check the official program document. |
| Daylight SensorLighting | Amount not verified — contact the utility or check the official program document. |
| Custom Lighting MeasureLighting | Amount not verified — contact the utility or check the official program document. |
Xcel Energy / Public Service Company of Colorado
Lighting Efficiency
Lighting · Commercial · Program year 2026
Existing facility lighting retrofits; custom lighting and other lighting paths also available. Verify exact current measure and preapproval rules before purchase.
- Preapproval needed
- Yes
- Deadline
- Not verified
Utility service areas do not follow city limits everywhere. Check the utility name on your current electric bill before you apply for anything.
Local rules
Energize Denver
Energize Denver
Benchmarking and performance
Energize Denver is a City and County of Denver rule for some larger buildings. Covered buildings report yearly energy use and work toward energy performance targets over time. Building size and dates decide who is covered. Confirm your building status with the City and County of Denver.
- Who may be covered
- About 25,000 sq ft and larger
- Building types
- Commercial and multifamily buildings
- Reporting required
- Yes
- Energy target required
- Yes
Deadlines: Reporting and target dates are set by the City. Check the official page for the dates that apply to your building.
Penalties: The City has published penalties for buildings that do not follow the rule. Check the official page for current amounts.
Where the savings are
Buildings That Usually Save the Most
Office
Very highLights and cooling run when floors are partly empty. Older controls waste energy.
- Common lighting
- Recessed fluorescent troffers, early LED panels
- Typical hours
- Weekdays, about 10 to 12 hours
- Opportunity
- High
Warehouse
Very highHigh ceilings, long run hours, and few controls.
- Common lighting
- Metal halide or fluorescent high bay
- Typical hours
- Long shifts, sometimes 24 hours
- Opportunity
- Very high
Apartment
HighHallways, stairwells, and garages run all day and night.
- Common lighting
- Fluorescent and screw-in bulbs
- Typical hours
- 24 hours in common areas
- Opportunity
- High
Retail
HighSales floor lighting runs all open hours. Display lighting adds heat.
- Common lighting
- Track lighting, fluorescent, halogen
- Typical hours
- Open hours, 10 to 14 hours
- Opportunity
- Medium
Hotel
HighCommon areas and outdoor lighting run all night.
- Common lighting
- Screw-in bulbs, fluorescent, some LED
- Typical hours
- 24 hours
- Opportunity
- Medium
Parking Garage
Very highLighting runs 24 hours with no daylight control.
- Common lighting
- Fluorescent, metal halide, high pressure sodium
- Typical hours
- 24 hours
- Opportunity
- Very high
Medical
HighLong hours and strict lighting quality needs.
- Common lighting
- Fluorescent troffers
- Typical hours
- 12 to 24 hours
- Opportunity
- Medium
Industrial
HighProcess areas with high bay lighting and older equipment.
- Common lighting
- Metal halide high bay
- Typical hours
- Shift based, often long
- Opportunity
- High
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