PUEBLO, Colo. – June 20, 2023 – At a press conference earlier today, Black Hills Energy, the City of Pueblo, the Pueblo Police Department and Pueblo Crime Stoppers launched Lights on for Safety, a new program aimed at improving public safety, reducing crime and providing energy management education to Pueblo’s small businesses.

Through the Lights on for Safety program, eligible organizations can apply for assistance and receive:

• Safety and energy efficiency equipment and installation by Black Hills Energy, including interior and exterior lighting and cameras.
• A free interior and exterior safety audit conducted by the Pueblo Police Department, which will leave behind a Crime Prevention through Environmental Design checklist, with recommendations for suggested improvements such as fixing front windows that do not lock. 
• A free energy audit and lighting assessment from Black Hills Energy, which will provide solutions to increase customer safety and manage energy usage. 

With a $200,000 contribution from Black Hills Energy and matching funds from the City of Pueblo from federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars, the Lights on for Safety program will provide $400,000 in grants to support smaller businesses who may not have the funding to make needed safety and energy efficiency upgrades.

“The Lights on for Safety Grant is a true partnership with the City of Pueblo, Black Hills Energy and Crime Stoppers,” said Mayor of Pueblo Nick Gradisar. “The use of American Rescue Plan Act dollars meets the needs of small business owners and provide strengthened public safety. Pueblo Police Department will be able to offer environmental review for a recommendation of how businesses can improve external safety and provides more resources to the Pueblo community.”

Black Hills Energy and the City of Pueblo anticipate helping around 40 small businesses with safety and energy efficiency equipment and installation through the Lights on for Safety program. Once the funds have run out, eligible organizations can still apply for and receive free energy and safety audits from Black Hills Energy and the Pueblo Police Department. In addition, Black Hills Energy can help small businesses take advantage of the company’s other energy efficiency programs and rebates, including the Small Business Direct Install program. 

“We see ourselves not just as a utility providing safe, reliable energy to our customers, but as a dedicated partner to the communities we serve,” said Floyd Wolf, Black Hills Energy general manager of operations for Colorado electric. “That’s why we’re proud to partner with other like-minded organizations, both public and private, to help address a pressing problem in our communities and give smaller organizations the knowledge, resources and skills to take control of their energy use.”

"The Lights on for Safety program is an exciting opportunity for our community because it provides the ability for businesses to receive new lighting, cameras and an environmental crime prevention plan specific to their business which will help keep their business and employees safe,” said board president of Crime Stoppers Crystal Estrada. “Crime prevention is a community issue and I’d like to thank Black Hills Energy and the City of Pueblo for working together with Crime Stoppers as we administer this grant for local businesses."

To check eligibility requirements and apply for Lights on for Safety starting June 26, visit https://www.pueblo.us/lightsonforsafety.