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Generator Installation · Colorado

Generator Installation in Colorado

A generator must connect through a transfer switch or an approved interlock so it can never feed power back into utility lines. Electricians install standby generators, portable generator inlets with interlocks, and the transfer equipment for both.

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  • Independent, licensed electricians
  • Local guides for 3 Colorado cities

Generator Installation in Colorado: what changes city to city

Hail and lightning on the Front Range, heavy snow in the mountains and a fast-growing EV fleet shape most electrical calls.

Across the Mountain West, homes deal with dry air, large temperature swings, wildfire seasons and heavy snow at elevation. Permit offices, utilities and housing stock differ by city, which affects how generator installation is planned and scheduled. These local guides cover the Colorado cities where we have written specific notes.

Local guides in Colorado

Generator Installation in Denver, CO

Denver's heavy spring snowstorms and summer windstorms can bring down trees and lines, and Xcel Energy has also used public safety power shutoffs during extreme wind and fire risk along the Front Range, including in April 2024. Many homeowners want backup for the furnace, refrigerator and sump pump.

Utility: Xcel Energy

Generator Installation in Aurora, CO

Aurora's spring snowstorms, summer windstorms and occasional public safety power shutoffs along the Front Range can cause outages, and in winter a furnace without power becomes a problem. Many homeowners want backup for the furnace, sump pump and refrigerator.

Utility: Xcel Energy

Generator Installation in Boulder, CO

Xcel Energy has used public safety power shutoffs in Boulder during extreme wind and fire risk, and the December 2021 Marshall Fire showed how quickly wind-driven fire can spread. Many Boulder homeowners now want backup power, and with rooftop solar common, a battery system is often the first choice because it runs quietly and needs no fuel.

Utility: Xcel Energy

Signs it's time to call

  • Frequent outages from storms, ice or heat
  • Medical equipment, sump pumps or freezers that cannot lose power
  • A portable generator with no safe way to connect
  • Planning a whole-home standby unit

How the job usually goes

  1. 1. Size the load

    Circuits that must stay powered are listed and the generator sized.

  2. 2. Choose the connection

    Inlet and interlock, manual transfer switch or automatic transfer switch.

  3. 3. Install and inspect

    Permitted installation, gas connection by a licensed fitter where needed, and inspection.

What moves the price

Electricians set their own prices; local permit fees and utility requirements add to these factors.

  • Portable inlet versus standby system
  • Generator size
  • Transfer switch type
  • Distance from panel and gas source
  • Pad, permits and inspection

Generator Installation in Colorado: questions

Who issues permits for generator installation in Colorado?

Permits come from the city or county where the home is. For example: Denver: Electrical permits in Denver are issued by Community Planning and Development; surrounding cities have their own building departments. Aurora: Electrical permits inside city limits come from the City of Aurora's building division; parts of Aurora lie in Adams and Douglas counties. Boulder: Electrical permits come from the City of Boulder's Planning and Development Services; Boulder County handles unincorporated areas.

Which utilities are involved in Colorado?

Denver: Xcel Energy. Aurora: Xcel Energy. Boulder: Xcel Energy.

Is an interlock kit legal?

Listed interlock kits are accepted in many jurisdictions when installed with a permit. Your electrician will know the local rule.

More electrical help in Colorado

Generator Installation in other states

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