Standby Generator Installation in Fort Collins, CO
Compare free quotes for whole-home and partial standby generators and transfer switches from independent electrical contractors who serve Fort Collins, Windsor, Wellington and Timnath. Electrician Fort Collins is a quote service, not an electrician.
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Backup power, sized for your home and your utility
A standby generator sits outside the house on a pad, runs on natural gas or propane, and connects to the home through a transfer switch. When the grid goes down, it can keep a furnace, sump pump, refrigerator, well pump or medical equipment running. Getting one right means choosing the size, deciding which circuits it covers, and connecting it safely to the panel under a permit.
Electrician Fort Collins connects Fort Collins-area homeowners with independent local electrical contractors for free, no-obligation quotes. The contractor you choose quotes, permits, contracts and does the work directly with you.
Whether one is worth it depends on which utility serves your address.
Your utility matters: underground lines vs. wind shutoffs
Fort Collins Utilities, the city-owned electric utility, says most of its electric system is underground. Loveland Water and Power is city-owned too. Windsor and some outlying addresses are served by Xcel Energy or Poudre Valley REA instead, depending on the address, and those systems include overhead lines.
The difference showed up during the January 16, 2026 wind event. Xcel Energy planned public safety power shutoffs for about 9,000 customers in Larimer and Weld counties, while Fort Collins Utilities planned none because its lines are buried. If your bill comes from Xcel or Poudre Valley REA, as it may in Windsor, Wellington or Timnath, wind shutoffs are a real reason to consider backup power. If you are on Fort Collins Utilities, a generator is usually about protecting against rarer outages, sensitive equipment or a home office. Check your bill if you are not sure which utility serves you.
Whole-home or essential circuits?
Contractors usually quote one of two approaches:
- Essential-circuit backup: a smaller generator and transfer switch that cover the furnace, refrigerator, sump pump, some lights and outlets.
- Whole-home backup: a larger generator with a service-rated transfer switch that can run most of the house, sometimes with load management for large appliances.
Winter is the main concern for most northern Colorado homeowners. Fort Collins averages a January low of 18.3 °F and about 150 nights a year at or below 32 °F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). A gas furnace still needs electricity for its blower and controls, so it is usually first on the essential list. Heat pumps and electric water heaters draw much more power and push the generator size up. Ask each contractor to show the load calculation behind their recommended size.
The transfer switch
The transfer switch is what makes a generator safe to connect. It separates the house from the grid while the generator runs, so generator power cannot feed back into utility lines where line workers may be working. An automatic transfer switch makes the change-over by itself; a manual switch or interlock costs less but needs someone at home to operate it. Either way, the connection to the panel is electrical work for a licensed electrician under a permit. If the panel is old or full, the contractor may recommend a panel upgrade at the same time.
Fuel and carbon monoxide
A standby generator burns natural gas or propane, so placement matters: away from windows, doors and vents, on a stable pad, with the clearances the manufacturer lists. The gas or propane connection may involve separate trade work; ask the contractor how it is handled. Colorado law (C.R.S. 38-45-102) requires CO alarms within 15 feet of sleeping rooms when an existing home with fuel-fired appliances, a fireplace or an attached garage is sold, and permitted remodels can trigger the requirement. Ask whether your project does, and confirm the alarms in the home are working.
Typical standby generator prices
Typical national ranges from published cost guides (2025–2026) — estimates, not quotes; no Fort Collins-specific source was published.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Standby generator installed | $1,512–$8,803 (average about $5,156) |
| Panel upgrade (100 A → 200 A), if needed | $750–$2,000 (utility service-upgrade costs extra) |
| Subpanel | from about $924–$1,119 |
| Electrician hourly rate | $50–$130 per hour |
Compare the full list on the electrician cost page.
Permits by town
Inside Fort Collins, City of Fort Collins Building Services issues electrical permits and inspects the work, with stages scheduled in Accela Citizen Access (970-416-2740). Wellington and Timnath issue town permits with SAFEbuilt inspections (970-674-1036). In Windsor and Loveland, check with the town or city. Unincorporated Larimer County addresses go to the Larimer County Building Division, which has handled electrical permits since July 1, 2020. This is general information, not legal advice.
Before you hire: a five-point checklist
In Colorado, electrical work for hire is done by licensed electricians working for a registered electrical contractor (C.R.S. 12-115). Verify that yourself before you sign:
- Confirm the contractor's Colorado electrical contractor registration and its master electrician's license with the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DORA) license lookup.
- Inside Fort Collins, confirm the contractor is registered with the City.
- Ask who pulls the permit, and make sure it is pulled before work starts.
- Ask for proof of insurance.
- Get a written quote that says whether the utility's service-upgrade costs are included.
Areas covered
Related: electrical repair, lightning and surge protection in Colorado and Fort Collins electrical permits.
Get free quotes
Tell us your utility, the size of your home, your fuel type (natural gas or propane) and what you want to keep running in an outage.
Electrician Fort Collins connects Fort Collins-area homeowners with independent local electrical contractors for free, no-obligation quotes. The contractor you choose quotes, permits, contracts and does the work directly with you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a standby generator cost to install?
Published national cost guides put an installed standby generator at about $1,512–$8,803, with an average near $5,156. Generator size, the transfer switch, the fuel connection, the pad and the distance from the panel all move the price. These are estimates, not quotes; ask for written quotes that list each part of the job.
Why does a generator need a transfer switch?
A transfer switch separates the home from the utility grid while the generator runs. Without one, generator power can feed back into utility lines, which endangers line workers and can damage equipment. An automatic transfer switch starts the change-over on its own when the grid goes down. A licensed electrician sizes and connects it as part of a permitted installation.
Do Fort Collins homes lose power often?
Fort Collins Utilities says most of its electric system is underground. During the January 16, 2026 wind event, Xcel Energy planned shutoffs for about 9,000 Larimer and Weld customers, while Fort Collins Utilities planned none because its lines are buried. Homes on Xcel or Poudre Valley REA service, including parts of Windsor, may see more wind-related shutoffs.
Does a standby generator need a permit?
Yes, a permanently connected generator and transfer switch involve electrical work that needs a permit and inspection. Inside Fort Collins, City Building Services issues the electrical permit. A gas or propane connection may involve separate trade work, so ask the contractor which permits the whole job needs and who pulls each one. This is general information, not legal advice.
Does a generator affect carbon monoxide alarm rules?
Colorado law requires CO alarms within 15 feet of sleeping rooms when an existing home with fuel-fired appliances, a fireplace or an attached garage is sold, and permitted remodels can trigger the requirement. Ask the contractor and the permit office whether your generator project triggers it, and check that alarms are in place and working.
Get a clear electrical quote before you commit.
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