Utility Companies Will Pay For Your Upgrade.
Colorado's utility rebate programs fund commercial LED upgrades — yet most property owners never claim what they're entitled to. We are certified in every major Colorado program.
Xcel Energy
Commercial LED Rebates — StatewideAvailable across Colorado for commercial properties. As a certified Xcel Trade Partner, we handle every step of the rebate process — eligibility verification, form submission, and utility follow-up.
- Interior & exterior LED upgrades eligible
- Warehouses, offices, retail, parking lots
- Rebates can cover 30–70% of project cost
- We submit all paperwork & follow up until check arrives
Efficiency Works
Fort Collins, Loveland & Surrounding AreasEfficiency Works serves Fort Collins Utilities and Loveland Water and Power customers. These programs often offer higher per-fixture rebates than statewide programs.
- High per-fixture rebate amounts
- Commercial & nonprofit eligible
- Can be combined with other incentives
- Annual budgets — act before funds run out
Maximum project cost that can be covered by rebates in qualifying properties
Calculate My Rebate →Who qualifies?
Most commercial properties, property management portfolios, long-term tenants paying their own energy bill, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits qualify for one or more rebate programs.
How long does it take?
Most rebate checks arrive within 4-6 weeks of installation completion. We follow up with the utility throughout the process — you don't chase a single form.
Do I pay anything upfront?
We offer $0 upfront financing options for qualifying projects. The monthly energy savings often exceed the financing payment — meaning the project is cash-flow positive from day one.
Ready to See What You Qualify For?
Book a free energy audit and we'll identify every rebate available for your specific property.
Schedule My Free Audit →
Your Complete Guide to Colorado LED Lighting Rebates
If you’re a business owner in Colorado still running fluorescent, HID, or metal halide lighting, you’re leaving money on the table — twice. Once in the energy you’re overpaying for every month, and again in the rebate dollars available to offset the cost of switching to LED.
NextPhase Lighting specializes in helping Colorado businesses navigate and maximize rebates from two major programs: Xcel Energy’s Lighting Efficiency Program and the Efficiency Works Business Program. We handle every step — from identifying which program covers your building to submitting final paperwork and following up until your rebate check arrives.
This guide breaks down how each program works, who qualifies, what’s covered, and how to get started.
Xcel Energy Lighting Efficiency Rebates
Who Qualifies
Xcel Energy’s commercial lighting rebates are available to any business, nonprofit, or property owner with an active Xcel Energy electric account in Colorado. This covers most of the Denver metro area, parts of Boulder County, and portions of the Front Range. If your building receives an electric bill from Xcel Energy (Public Service Company of Colorado), you likely qualify.
What’s Covered
Xcel Energy offers rebates for a wide range of LED lighting upgrades, including:
• LED troffers and flat panels (replacing fluorescent fixtures)
• LED high bay fixtures (replacing metal halide or HID in warehouses and facilities)
• LED wall packs and exterior area lighting
• LED retrofit kits for existing fixtures
• LED downlights (recessed lighting)
• LED parking garage and canopy fixtures
• LED pole-mounted area and roadway lights
• Lighting controls including occupancy sensors, daylight dimming, and networked controls
Products must be listed on the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) Qualified Product List or be ENERGY STAR certified to receive full rebate value. Non-DLC products that meet the DLC category definition may qualify at 75% of the standard rebate amount.
How the Rebates Work
Xcel Energy offers prescriptive rebates, meaning each type of qualifying fixture or lamp installed earns a set dollar amount. For projects that don’t fit neatly into prescriptive categories, custom efficiency rebates are also available based on documented energy savings.
Rebates are issued as checks, typically within six to eight weeks after your application is approved and the project is verified. The rebate check goes to the account holder unless you authorize it to go to your contractor.
Important: Pre-Approval Matters
For larger projects, Xcel Energy requires pre-approval before installation begins. Installing first and applying later can disqualify your project entirely. This is one of the most common and costly mistakes businesses make when trying to handle rebates on their own.
NextPhase Lighting manages the pre-approval process for every project to make sure your rebates are secured before any work begins.
How Much Can You Save
Most commercial LED lighting projects we complete see rebates covering 30% to 70% of the total project cost, depending on the scope of the upgrade, the type of fixtures being replaced, and the energy reduction achieved. Combined with the ongoing energy savings (typically 30% to 70% lower electric bills from lighting), most projects pay for themselves within 12 to 24 months.
Efficiency Works Business Lighting Rebates
Who Qualifies
Efficiency Works is a regional energy efficiency program that serves commercial electric customers of four Northern Colorado municipal utilities:
• Fort Collins Utilities
• Longmont Power & Communications
• City of Loveland Utilities (Loveland Water and Power)
• Estes Park Power and Communications
If your business receives its electric bill from one of these four utilities, you qualify for Efficiency Works rebates instead of Xcel Energy. The two programs do not overlap — your utility determines which one covers your building.
What’s Covered
Efficiency Works offers rebates for lighting retrofits, LED fixtures, and lighting controls — similar to Xcel Energy but administered through its own application process. Their rebate incentives were updated in January 2026. Eligible lighting upgrades include LED retrofits, new LED fixture installations, and advanced lighting controls such as occupancy sensors and daylight harvesting systems.
Key Program Details
• Projects with total rebates over $10,000 require pre-approval before work begins
• You’ll need to submit a project invoice listing the equipment installed, a W9 for the entity receiving payment, and signed terms and conditions
• Rebate funds are subject to availability and program requirements can change without advance notice
• Nonprofits and income-qualified multifamily properties may qualify for the Community Efficiency Grant, which provides an additional incentive equal to 100% of the standard rebate — effectively doubling your rebate — for projects completed before November 15, 2026
How NextPhase Handles Efficiency Works Projects
We manage the entire Efficiency Works application process the same way we handle Xcel Energy projects. We identify the eligible upgrades, prepare your application and project proposal, coordinate pre-approval when required, complete the installation, and submit all final paperwork. You receive your rebate check without chasing down forms or making calls.
How to Know Which Program You Qualify For
The program that covers your building depends entirely on your electric utility provider. Here’s a quick breakdown by area:
Xcel Energy (Public Service Company of Colorado) covers most of: Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada, Thornton, Westminster, Broomfield, Boulder, Lafayette, Louisville, Erie, Greeley, Windsor, Berthoud, and surrounding metro communities.
Efficiency Works covers commercial customers of: Fort Collins Utilities, Longmont Power & Communications, Loveland Water and Power, and Estes Park Power and Communications.
Not sure which utility serves your building? Check your electric bill or contact us — we’ll identify your utility and which rebate program applies in under five minutes.
Why Rebate Timing Matters in 2026
Colorado’s rebate landscape is strong right now, but it won’t stay this way forever. Here’s what business owners need to know:
Rebate budgets can run out. 2024, Xcel Energy overspent its commercial energy efficiency budget and temporarily shut down rebate payments, creating turmoil for contractors and businesses with projects in progress. Budget shortfalls can happen again, and when they do, projects in the pipeline get delayed or denied.
Efficiency works rebates expires for good 2026. Efficiency works has decided to cut it’s LED lighting rebate program after the year 2026. Commercial business owners, property management & tenants should take advantage of what rebates are available Immediately before the rebates are completely out.
Colorado has banned fluorescent lamps. The state has implemented fluorescent lamp bans, but rebate programs are still offering incentives for fluorescent-to-LED upgrades. This is a limited-time opportunity — as more buildings convert, these specific rebates are expected to decrease or disappear.
Lighting control rebates are growing. In 2026, rebate programs nationwide have increased incentives for advanced lighting controls, including networked lighting controls and luminaire-level controls. Adding controls to your LED upgrade can significantly increase your total rebate.
Average rebate values increased 17% in 2026. Across all commercial lighting categories, prescriptive rebate amounts are up, with HID replacement categories seeing the largest increases — over 30% higher for parking garages, canopies, wall packs, and outdoor pole lights.
The bottom line: if you’ve been thinking about upgrading your lighting, the financial case has never been stronger than it is right now.
What NextPhase Lighting Handles for You
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We evaluate your existing fixtures, operating hours, and energy usage on site at no cost.
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We determine whether your building falls under Xcel Energy or Efficiency Works and calculate the maximum rebate you’re eligible for.
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We provide a detailed project proposal showing your upgrade cost, rebate amount, net cost after rebates, and projected energy savings with payback timeline.
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We prepare and submit all rebate applications and secure pre-approval before any installation begins.
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Our team installs DLC-listed, high-performance LED products backed by manufacturer warranties and our own 1-year labor guarantee
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After installation, we submit all final documentation and follow up with the utility until your rebate check is issued
Frequently Asked Questions About LED Rebates
How long does the rebate process take?
From initial audit to rebate check, most projects take 4 to 8 weeks. Xcel Energy typically issues rebate checks within 6 to 8 weeks of final project submission. Efficiency Works timelines vary but are generally similar.
Do I have to pay the full project cost upfront?
Yes, rebates are issued after the project is completed and verified. However, with rebates covering 30% to 70% of the cost, the net investment is significantly lower than the initial quote. We clearly show your expected out-of-pocket cost in every proposal.
Can I apply for rebates myself?
Technically yes, but the application process involves specific product documentation, DLC verification, energy calculations, and utility coordination. Errors or missed steps can delay or void your rebate. We handle it at no extra charge as part of every project.
What if I’m not sure which utility I have?
Contact us or check your electric bill. We’ll identify your utility and the right rebate program for your property in minutes.
Do rebates apply to residential projects?
Xcel Energy offers some residential lighting incentives through participating retailers. Efficiency Works also has residential programs. However, the largest rebate opportunities are on the commercial side, where fixture counts and energy savings are higher.
What products qualify for rebates?
Products must be DLC-listed or ENERGY STAR certified for full rebate value. Non-listed products that meet the DLC category definition may qualify at a reduced rebate amount (75% through Xcel Energy). NextPhase Lighting only installs qualifying products to ensure your rebates are never at risk.
Can nonprofits get extra rebates?
Yes. Through Efficiency Works, nonprofit community service providers and income-qualified multifamily properties can apply for the Community Efficiency Grant, which provides an additional incentive equal to 100% of the standard rebate for projects completed before November 15, 2026.
What happens if rebate funding runs out?
Rebate budgets are set annually and can be exhausted before the year ends. This happened with Xcel Energy in 2024. We monitor funding levels and recommend acting sooner rather than later to avoid budget shortfall risk.
Ready to See What You Qualify For?
Every LED upgrade project starts with a free, no-obligation lighting audit. We’ll visit your facility, assess your current lighting, and provide a detailed proposal showing your total project cost, rebate amount, net cost, and projected energy savings.
There is no cost and no commitment — just clear numbers so you can make a smart decision.
Call us at (303) 931-7259 or schedule your free audit at nextphaselights.com/free-energy-audit