Holiday Lighting the Right Way at Altitude: Safe, Smart & Energy-Saving Tips

If you’ve spent a winter or two in Colorado, you know the Front Range plays by its own rules when it comes to weather. One day you’re stringing lights in a T-shirt under bluebird skies, the next you’re dodging ice patches on your roof at dawn. That combination of intense UV, bone-dry air, and surprise snowstorms means your holiday lighting setup needs to be tougher than what works in, say, the Midwest.

Here’s how to do it right—so your lights actually stay lit, your electrical system stays safe, and you’re not rewiring everything in January.

Start with LED Strands (and Check the Ratings)

Incandescent bulbs might feel nostalgic, but they’re energy hogs and they run hot enough to melt snow right off the wire. LEDs use about 75% less electricity, stay cool to the touch, and last through multiple seasons without burning out halfway through December.

But not all LEDs are created equal. Look for strands rated for outdoor use—they’ll have thicker insulation that can handle UV exposure and temperature swings. And if you’re running multiple strands end-to-end, check the manufacturer’s limit. Most LED strings can safely connect 25 to 50 strands, but pushing past that can overload the circuit or damage the plugs.

If you want to get fancy with it, Jellyfish lighting offers custom color-changing setups that you can control year-round. Program them for the holidays, then switch to Broncos colors for the playoffs. We’ve installed these systems for homeowners throughout Westminster who want a permanent lighting solution that adapts to every season.

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Make Sure Your Outlets Can Handle the Job

Plugging a bunch of light strands into a standard indoor outlet? That’s a hard pass. Exterior outlets need to be GFCI-protected—they’ll trip if moisture gets into the circuit, which happens more than you’d think when melting snow drips into an outlet box.

And those plastic bubble covers that flip up? They’re not enough. You need weatherproof in-use covers that protect the outlet even when something’s plugged in. Snow doesn’t wait for you to unplug your lights.

If your outdoor outlets are older, not GFCI-protected, or you’re daisy-chaining extension cords because you don’t have enough, it’s worth getting that sorted before you start decorating. A quick electrical inspection can tell you what’s safe and what needs an upgrade—something we handle regularly for homes throughout Brighton and the surrounding areas.

Load Balancing Matters More Here

Colorado homes—especially older ones—weren’t always wired with massive holiday displays in mind. If you’re running lights on your roof, around your garage, up a couple trees, and lining the walkway, you’re probably pulling more amps than you think.

Most 15-amp circuits can handle around 1,800 watts before they trip. LED strands help, but if you’re also running a space heater, the coffee maker, and that inflatable snowman on the same circuit, something’s going to give.

Spreading your lights across multiple circuits keeps things balanced. If you’re not sure which outlets are on which circuit (most people aren’t), or if you’re tripping breakers every time you plug something in, that’s a sign your electrical panel might need a look. Older panels can struggle with modern electrical loads, especially during the winter when heating and lighting demands spike. We’ve upgraded plenty of panels in Brighton homes where the original wiring just wasn’t built for today’s electrical needs.

Timers and Smart Plugs Are Your Friends

Nobody wants to trudge outside at 10 p.m. in the cold to unplug the lights. Timers are cheap, easy, and they’ll save you money by keeping your lights off during the middle of the night when no one’s looking anyway.

If you want more control, smart home devices let you program your lights from your phone, set schedules, or even tie them into weather sensors so they don’t run during a blizzard. Some models also track energy usage, which is helpful if you’re trying to keep your winter utility bills from spiraling. We’ve installed these for plenty of Westminster homeowners who want full control without the hassle.

Ladder and Roof Safety When It’s Icy

This is where altitude gets tricky. A sunny 50-degree afternoon can still leave you with ice in the shaded spots, and roofs stay slippery longer than you expect. Anyone who’s climbed a ladder in Brighton during December knows how quickly conditions can change.

If you’re climbing up, make sure your ladder’s on solid, level ground—not snow or mud. Three points of contact at all times. And if your roof has any ice or frost, just wait. Seriously. Holiday lights aren’t worth a trip to the ER.

For anything above the first story, or if your roof pitch is steep, hire someone. Professional installers have the right equipment and the insurance. You have a mortgage and a family.

Store Your Lights the Right Way

Colorado’s dry air and UV exposure make electrical insulation brittle over time. If you just cram your lights into a cardboard box and toss them in the garage rafters, you’re going to find cracked wires and broken sockets next year.

Wind each strand carefully (or use a cord reel), keep them in a plastic bin with a lid, and store them somewhere temperature-controlled if possible. Attics and unheated garages see wild temperature swings that accelerate wear on the wiring.

Before you pack everything away, inspect each strand for damage—frayed wires, cracked sockets, burned-out sections. If it’s sketchy, toss it. It’s not worth the fire risk.

When to Call an Electrician

If you’re adding new outdoor outlets, upgrading your panel to handle more load, or running into repeated breaker trips, don’t DIY it. Electrical work in cold weather is harder than it looks, and mistakes can cause fires or dangerous shocks.

We handle everything from surge protection to full electrical panel upgrades, and we’re familiar with the quirks of homes along the Front Range. Whether you’re dealing with an older home in Westminster or a newer build in Brighton, we’ll make sure your setup is safe, code-compliant, and ready for whatever winter throws at you.

Keep It Safe, Keep It Bright

Holiday lighting in Colorado takes a little extra planning, but it’s worth it when your house looks great and everything actually works. Use the right equipment, don’t overload your circuits, and take your time with the install.

And if you need help getting your electrical system ready for the season—or if you just want someone else to deal with the ladders—get in touch. We’ll make sure your lights stay on all season long.

Call Now (720) 774-0192