Street and Alley Lighting

How do I request mid-block street and alley lighting?


You may call Traffic Engineering Services at the number below to request a form for processing your request. This form is also available online. Complete the form, indicating the type and location of light you are requesting. When the petition form has been completed, please send it to:

Traffic Engineering Services

Attention: Street Lighting Engineer

201 West Colfax Avenue, Department 508

Denver, Colorado 80202

Phone: 720-865-3150

FAX to 720-865-3282

Explanation – Installation of Street and Alley Lights

Xcel Energy installs and maintains all lighting for public streets and alleys for the City of Denver. The City of Denver has authorized Xcel Energy to install at least one street light for every public street intersection throughout the City. In newer subdivisions, the City has authorized Xcel to install mid-block street lights as well. Certain older sections of the City, where streets were built before mid-block street lighting was required, can petition for an additional street light to be installed at City cost. In areas where there are public alleys, residents of a block can petition for a light to be added to an existing wood pole in their alley also at City cost.

The City of Denver will generally agree to pay for the installation of one mid-block street or alley light if it is to be located at approximately the center of a typical length block. The City’s budget for street and alley lighting is insufficient to allow for the installation of multiple lights in a typical block even if that is what the residents desire. If the block is longer than normal or if large trees limit the effectiveness of existing street lights, then additional lights may be considered.

A petition is required in order to indicate that a strong consensus of the property owners in a given block supports the idea of installing an additional light. The City requests that the petitioner try to obtain signatures from 100% of the property owners in the block but if that is not possible, the City will still consider the request if at least 75% of the property owners sign the petition in favor of the additional light. The name, address, and phone numbers of the petitioners are needed so that Xcel Energy can contact those property owners who may have to provide an overhead easement in order to supply electric power to the new light. New poles required for the installation of street lights are typically placed at the property line between adjacent houses where it extends out to the street. An effort will also be made to avoid placing street light poles too close to existing driveways or large trees. The City of Denver and Xcel Energy will generally not place a new street light where the adjacent property owner does not approve of the installation.

A light installed over private property on a Excel Energy pole is referred to as an “area light”. These lights are paid for by the individual property owner and not the City. However, there may be some circumstances where an existing area light in an alley could be taken over by the City. If a petition is circulated as if a new light were being requested and if the location of the area light meets the City’s criteria for placement near the center of the block, the City could take over responsibility for the light as long as the light is repositioned to shine over the alley.