Fort Collins, Colorado
Commercial Lighting & LED Retrofits in Fort Collins
Fort Collins has a mix of manufacturing, warehouse, retail, and brewery space. Each one uses lighting differently, which changes both the savings and the best fixture choice.
Quick answers
Lighting Questions People Ask First
Are there lighting rebates in Fort Collins?
Eligible Fort Collins Utilities business customers may have access to lighting rebates through Efficiency Works. Amounts and rules follow the current program year.
What gets upgraded
Lighting Work in Fort Collins
Commercial Lighting
Lighting is usually the easiest place to start because the change is simple to measure and it rarely stops production.
The biggest wins are in tall spaces and in rooms that stay lit for many hours.
Efficiency Works Lighting Programs
Efficiency Works is the business energy program used by Fort Collins Utilities. Lighting is one of the measure groups it covers.
Current measures, rules, and any amount we have verified are shown on this page from the program database.
Warehouses
High ceilings and long hours make warehouse high bay lighting a strong first project.
Motion sensors in aisles often add savings on top of the fixture change.
Manufacturing
Production areas often run two or three shifts, so lighting hours are very high.
Task lighting and good fixture placement matter as much as wattage here.
Offices
Older troffers and simple wall switches waste energy when part of a floor is empty.
Occupancy sensors and daylight dimming are common upgrades.
Retail
Sales floors need good color quality, not just fewer watts.
Track and display lighting can often be changed without touching the ceiling.
Breweries
Brewhouse, cold storage, packaging, and tap room spaces all light differently.
Damp and wet locations need fixtures rated for those areas.
High Bay and Fluorescent Lighting
Metal halide high bays lose light output as they age, so a space can be dimmer than the original design.
Fluorescent tubes and ballasts need regular replacement. Removing that work is part of the savings.
Lighting Controls, Energy and Maintenance Savings
Controls lower run hours. LED lowers watts. Together they usually save more than either alone.
Maintenance savings are real but easy to forget: fewer lamp changes, fewer lift rentals, less staff time.
Utility rebates
Current Lighting Rebate Programs
Efficiency Works
Efficiency Works Business Lighting
Lighting · Commercial
Commercial lighting retrofit and controls offerings for participating municipal utility business customers.
Lighting rebates for eligible Fort Collins Utilities business customers.
- Preapproval needed
- Not verified
- Deadline
- Not verified
| Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Custom Lighting MeasureLighting | Amount not verified — contact the utility or check the official program document. |
| LED Exterior FixtureLighting | Amount not verified — contact the utility or check the official program document. |
| LED TrofferLighting | Amount not verified — contact the utility or check the official program document. |
| LED Wall PackLighting | Amount not verified — contact the utility or check the official program document. |
| LED Retrofit KitLighting | Amount not verified — contact the utility or check the official program document. |
| LED Parking Lot FixtureLighting | 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. |
| Occupancy SensorLighting | 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
Building Energy and Water Scoring
Building Energy and Water Scoring
BENCHMARKING
Fort Collins requires energy and water benchmarking/reporting for covered large commercial and multifamily buildings; the program is a transparency/reporting system.
- Who may be covered
- Size rule not confirmed
- Building types
- Not confirmed
- Reporting required
- Not confirmed
- Energy target required
- Not confirmed
Fort Collins Building Energy and Water Scoring
Benchmarking
Fort Collins asks some larger commercial and multifamily buildings to measure and report yearly energy and water use. This is a reporting program. It does not by itself require an equipment upgrade. Confirm your building status with the City of Fort Collins.
- Who may be covered
- About 5,000 sq ft and larger
- Building types
- Commercial and multifamily buildings
- Reporting required
- Yes
- Energy target required
- No
Deadlines: Reporting dates are set by the City. Check the official page for the date that applies to your building.
Penalties: Check the official City page for current enforcement details.
Where the savings are
Buildings That Usually Save the Most
Office
HighLighting and cooling run during long weekday hours.
- Common lighting
- Fluorescent troffers
- Typical hours
- Weekdays, 10 to 12 hours
- Opportunity
- Medium
Manufacturing
Very highHigh bay lighting and process loads run long shifts.
- Common lighting
- Metal halide or T5 high bay
- Typical hours
- Two or three shifts
- Opportunity
- Very high
Warehouse
Very highTall spaces, long hours, and few lighting controls.
- Common lighting
- Metal halide high bay
- Typical hours
- Long shifts
- Opportunity
- Very high
Retail
HighSales floor and sign lighting run all open hours.
- Common lighting
- Track and fluorescent lighting
- Typical hours
- Open hours
- Opportunity
- Medium
Brewery
HighProduction, cooling, and tap room lighting all add up.
- Common lighting
- High bay and decorative lighting
- Typical hours
- Long production hours
- Opportunity
- High
Apartment
HighCommon area lighting runs all day and night.
- Common lighting
- Fluorescent and screw-in bulbs
- Typical hours
- 24 hours in common areas
- Opportunity
- High
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