Commercial customers participating in the Efficiency Works program across Northern Colorado should be aware of an upcoming timeline change affecting lighting incentives. According to a recent program update, commercial lighting fixture rebates will end after 2026, with projects required to be completed or preapproved by December 31, 2026, to remain eligible for fixture incentives.
The update applies to commercial electric customers served by Fort Collins Utilities, Loveland Water & Power, Longmont Power & Communications, and Estes Park Power & Communications.
What Is Changing in the Efficiency Works Lighting Program?
The key program change is tied specifically to lighting fixture incentives. Commercial projects seeking rebates for LED fixture upgrades will need to either:
- Complete installation before 12/31/2026, or
- Obtain project preapproval by that date
Importantly, the update does not affect lighting controls incentives. Rebates tied to qualifying lighting controls are expected to continue into 2027.
The current Efficiency Works lighting program includes incentives for a range of commercial LED fixture categories, including troffers, high bays, wall packs, parking garage fixtures, and pole lighting. The program also includes incentives for multi-level controls and DLC networked lighting controls.
Why Commercial Building Teams May Need to Plan Earlier
For commercial property operators and facilities leaders, lighting upgrades are often bundled into broader maintenance, tenant improvement, or energy management initiatives. A defined rebate sunset date can create scheduling pressure for organizations managing multiple sites or large-scale retrofit portfolios.
Projects that require engineering review, procurement coordination, or capital approval cycles may need to begin planning well before the end of 2026. This is especially relevant for higher-value projects where preapproval may already be required under current program rules.
According to the program documentation, projects with total incentive amounts exceeding $10,000 require preapproval before efficiency upgrades begin.
Are Lighting Controls Still Eligible After 2026?
Yes. Based on the current update, lighting controls incentives are not part of the 2026 phaseout.
The Efficiency Works program currently offers incentives for measures such as:
- Multi-level lighting controls
- Occupancy and motion sensing
- Daylight-responsive controls
- DLC networked lighting control systems
For organizations that have already completed fixture conversions, continued controls incentives could still support additional operational efficiency improvements after 2026.
Regional Context for Northern Colorado Businesses
Efficiency Works serves commercial customers across four Northern Colorado utility territories. Because incentive structures can vary significantly by utility region, organizations with facilities both inside and outside the program footprint may need to account for differing rebate timelines and planning assumptions.
Commercial teams considering LED upgrades in these territories may want to evaluate project timing sooner rather than later, particularly for larger retrofit opportunities that depend on incentive economics to support investment decisions.
Program requirements, eligibility standards, and timelines may change as utilities finalize future program structures.
