Boulder to fix lighting problem in dark streets

The city of Boulder is working to fix a lighting problem.

Starting Monday, crews will work to install 126 lights around corridors on the University Hill neighborhood.

“As a young female it’s really exciting to get these lights,” said Emily Stockton, a student at CU Boulder.

Stockton likes to hang out at the restaurants and shops on the Hill, but walking home at night can be a problem.

The only lights along College Avenue are at intersections.

“Last time I was over there,” she said, “it was so dark walking down College that I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face.”

After September, there will be six to eight lights along each side of blocks like College Avenue, stretching from the Hill to just south of Pearl Street.

The $2 million project will be paid for with a sales tax that was approved in 2014 to improve community spaces and provide public safety.

Lisa Smith, a spokesperson for the City of Boulder, tells Denver7 the lights are dark-sky compliant and won’t contribute to light pollution.

The lights can also be programmed to be dim.

During construction, certain street parking will be banned and drivers are warned to look for no parking signs during the construction period to avoid fines or being towed.

For students like Stockton, the temporary changes are worth it.

“It’s going to make it so I can come over the hill a lot more often and not feel nervous about walking here by myself,” she said.