The Pueblo County Detention Center and the city of Pueblo’s three new fire stations received more than $209,000 in combined energy efficiency rebates from Black Hills Energy.
The rebate, part of the Black Hills Commercial New Construction Program, funded the purchase of energy efficient measures for the detention center, Pueblo Fire Department Station 6, Pueblo Fire Department Station 8, and Pueblo Fire Department Station 11.
“It’s just more efficient equipment,” said Black Hills Energy Efficiency Program Coordinator Derrick Brown Chap. “The easiest way to explain it would be a normal incandescent bulb having an LED bulb – instant savings there.”
Pueblo Fire Station No. 6, 111 Victory Lane, was officially opened on Friday, December 12, 2025.
In addition to high-efficiency lighting, projects include energy improvements such as quality roof insulation, wall insulation, lighting controls and sensors, efficient HVAC systems and efficient kitchen equipment. The improvements will not only save energy, but also save taxpayers money through annual energy savings, Brown said.
The detention center received a one-time payment of $125,013 from Black Hills Energy. The energy efficiency improvements are expected to result in the project saving approximately $91,000 and more than 880,000 kilowatt-hours annually, according to Black Hills.
“The center was designed from the ground up with a net zero energy goal to reduce long-term operating costs and save Pueblo County taxpayers money over time,” Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero said in a news release. “We are grateful to Black Hills Energy for helping us achieve this goal.”
Rebates of $27,905, $28,105, and $28,364 were awarded to Station 6, Station 8, and Station 11, respectively. The improvements are expected to save each station approximately $20,000 and more than 148,000 kilowatt-hours annually.
“Our goal for this project was to create safer spaces for our firefighters, improve response times for the community and deliver modernized facilities,” Pueblo Fire Chief Barb Huber said in a news release. “We were delighted to work with Black Hills Energy to also make these stations more energy efficient.”
The Pueblo County Detention Center is expected to open west of Pueblo Boulevard this spring. It will add 150 beds to reduce overcrowding and provide improved facilities for employees. Fire Station 11 opened on the west side of Pueblo in August 2025, Station 8 opened on the north side in September 2025, and Station 6 opened on the east side in December 2025.
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Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news; subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: What to know about Black Hills rebates for Pueblo projects in 2026