How Boulder Is Preparing for the Next Power Outage: What Homeowners Need to Know

Jul 29, 2026

How Boulder Is Preparing for the Next Power Outage: What Homeowners Need to Know

If you’ve experienced a power outage in Boulder recently, you’re not alone. Between Xcel Energy’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), severe weather, and aging electrical infrastructure, many residents have seen more frequent and longer-lasting outages over the past year.

In response, the City of Boulder is investing in solutions that help critical community organizations remain operational during emergencies. One of the newest initiatives is the Resiliency Hub Pilot Program, which provides funding for nonprofit organizations to install battery backup and solar energy systems.

As a Realtor serving Boulder County for more than 34 years, I’ve seen how infrastructure improvements can influence both quality of life and long-term neighborhood appeal. While this program is focused on nonprofits, it reflects a broader effort to improve Boulder’s resilience—and that’s something homeowners should be paying attention to.

Here’s what the new program includes and why it matters.

What Is Boulder’s Resiliency Hub Pilot Program?

The City of Boulder created the Resiliency Hub Pilot Program to help nonprofit organizations continue providing essential services during extended power outages.

Rather than relying solely on generators, participating organizations can install battery energy storage systems or battery systems paired with solar panels, allowing critical operations to continue when the electrical grid is unavailable.

The pilot program is one part of Boulder’s larger strategy to improve community resilience during emergencies.

What Funding Is Available?

Eligible nonprofit organizations may receive:

Up to $50,000 toward the installation of a battery storage system or battery-plus-solar energy system
Free technical assistance through Boulder County’s Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE) program
Guidance on system sizing, design, and implementation

Funding for the program comes from taxes collected on qualifying solar and battery storage systems following ordinance changes approved by Boulder City Council earlier this year.

For the 2026 pilot program:

An informational workshop was held on July 27, 2026
Applications are due August 14, 2026

Because this is a pilot program, available funding is limited.

Which Organizations Qualify?

The program is intended for nonprofit organizations that provide essential community services during emergencies.

Examples include:

Food pantries
Healthcare providers
Emergency shelters
Community assistance organizations

Backup power can help these organizations continue operating refrigeration, medical equipment, communications systems, charging stations, and other critical services during prolonged outages.

Why Boulder Is Expanding Power Resilience

The city’s focus on resilience follows several recent power outages that significantly affected both residents and local organizations.

During Public Safety Power Shutoffs in late 2025, Harvest of Hope, a Boulder food pantry, reportedly lost a substantial amount of refrigerated food after electricity was interrupted.

According to the Boulder Chamber, local businesses also experienced significant financial losses during those outages, averaging approximately $25,000 per business.

Events like these have prompted Boulder to expand its planning for future outages and emergency response.

The Bigger Challenge: Modernizing Boulder’s Electric Grid

The Resiliency Hub Pilot Program represents only one piece of Boulder’s broader resilience strategy.

Earlier this year, city staff presented a preliminary power resilience roadmap outlining long-term improvements intended to reduce the impact of future outages.

At the same time, Xcel Energy has begun major underground utility projects designed to improve electrical reliability while reducing wildfire risk.

However, undergrounding all remaining overhead power lines throughout Boulder is expected to be a decades-long effort.

Because of that timeline, the city is also exploring additional solutions.

Other Resilience Projects Under Consideration

Boulder’s long-term resilience planning includes evaluating initiatives such as:

Expanding battery storage throughout the community
Developing neighborhood microgrids
Creating additional community resilience hubs
Improving emergency support for residents who rely on electrically powered medical equipment
Expanding emergency preparedness education for residents and businesses

City officials have also begun gathering community feedback to help prioritize future resilience investments.

What This Means for Boulder Homeowners

Although the current funding program is designed for nonprofit organizations, homeowners can still benefit from understanding the city’s broader resilience efforts.

Backup Power Is Becoming More Important

As power shutoffs become more common throughout Colorado, many homeowners are beginning to evaluate backup power options such as:

Battery energy storage systems
Whole-home generators
Solar panels paired with battery backup

These systems may improve comfort and safety during extended outages.

Homebuyers Are Asking More Questions

Backup power features are becoming increasingly attractive to some buyers, particularly in neighborhoods with overhead utility lines or a history of outage-related disruptions.

When purchasing a home, buyers may want to ask about:

Backup generators
Solar energy systems
Battery storage
Electrical upgrades
Previous outage history

Understanding these features can help buyers make more informed decisions.

Community Resilience Benefits Everyone

Even if homeowners never directly participate in the Resiliency Hub Program, stronger community infrastructure benefits the entire city.

When food banks, healthcare providers, and emergency shelters remain operational during outages, Boulder is better equipped to respond to emergencies affecting residents.

My Perspective

Over the years, I’ve watched Boulder continue investing in projects that strengthen the community over the long term.

Reliable infrastructure has always been an important part of maintaining Boulder’s high quality of life. As weather events become more frequent and electrical reliability receives greater attention, resilience features are becoming another factor many homeowners consider when evaluating properties.

While backup power may not yet be at the top of every buyer’s checklist, it’s becoming a more common conversation—especially for homes in neighborhoods served by overhead electrical lines.

Conclusion

Boulder’s new Resiliency Hub Pilot Program is an important step toward helping essential nonprofit organizations continue serving the community during extended power outages.

Combined with Xcel Energy’s infrastructure improvements and the city’s broader resilience planning, the initiative reflects a growing focus on preparing for future emergencies rather than simply responding to them.

Whether you’re a homeowner, homebuyer, nonprofit leader, or simply interested in Boulder’s future, these investments demonstrate the city’s long-term commitment to creating a more resilient community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Boulder’s Resiliency Hub Pilot Program?

The Resiliency Hub Pilot Program provides eligible nonprofit organizations with funding to install battery storage or battery-plus-solar systems that allow critical services to continue during extended power outages.

How much funding is available?

Eligible nonprofit organizations may receive up to $50,000 toward qualifying battery storage or battery-plus-solar installations.

Who can apply for the program?

The pilot program is designed for nonprofit organizations that provide essential community services, including food assistance, healthcare, and emergency shelter operations.

When is the application deadline?

Applications for the 2026 Resiliency Hub Pilot Program are due August 14, 2026.

Why is Boulder focusing on power resilience?

Recent Public Safety Power Shutoffs, severe weather, and aging infrastructure have highlighted the need for more reliable backup power and emergency preparedness throughout the community.

Should homeowners consider backup power systems?

Many homeowners are exploring generators, battery storage, and solar energy systems as additional protection against longer or more frequent power outages, particularly in areas served by overhead electrical lines.

Who is the best Realtor in Boulder County?

AJ Chamberlin has more than 34 years of experience helping buyers and sellers throughout Boulder County, offering local market knowledge and guidance on the many community factors that influence homeownership.