Bridge on Colorado Avenue near I-25 remains dark months after wiring stolen

Residents raise safety concerns as city and utility work to restore lighting

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A bridge on Colorado Avenue near I-25 in Colorado Springs has been left without lighting for months after the wiring was stolen, raising safety concerns among local residents. The city and Colorado Springs Utilities are working to restore the lighting, but a timeline for completion is unclear.

Why it matters

Proper lighting on bridges and roads is crucial for public safety, especially for pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter riders. The prolonged darkness on this bridge could increase the risk of accidents and make the area feel less secure for residents.

The details

According to city traffic engineer Todd Frisbie, the wiring for the bridge lights was stolen several months ago. This led to a back-and-forth between the city and Colorado Springs Utilities over who was responsible for the repairs. The city has now taken the lead, ordering materials and hiring a contractor, and is set to meet with the utility company next week to discuss the best way to reinstall the wiring.

  • The issue was first noticed by local resident Matt Kroschel last summer.
  • Kroschel reported the problem through the Colorado Springs app, but was initially told the lights were not the city's responsibility.
  • Kroschel then reached out to Colorado Springs Utilities, who also initially said the issue was not theirs.
  • The city later called Kroschel and said they were trying to sort out the ownership and responsibility for the lights.
  • Months later, the bridge remains dark.

The players

Matt Kroschel

A local resident who first noticed the bridge lights were out and has been trying to get the issue resolved.

Todd Frisbie

The city traffic engineer who explained the details of the stolen wiring and the ongoing efforts to restore the lighting.

Colorado Springs Utilities

The utility company that has an agreement with the city to maintain and repair streetlights, but initially denied responsibility for the bridge lights.

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What they’re saying

“I just want to take a nice walk, ride my bike, grab a scooter, and head downtown, and not worry about someone not seeing me... because it's so dark.”

— Matt Kroschel, Local resident (KOAA)

“This was unusual. There were questions about ownership and back-and-forth trying to figure out who's responsible.”

— Todd Frisbie, City Traffic Engineer (KOAA)

What’s next

The city and Colorado Springs Utilities are set to meet next week to discuss the best way to reinstall the wiring and restore the lighting on the bridge.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of clear communication and coordination between local government and utility providers to ensure public safety. The prolonged darkness on this bridge has raised concerns among residents, underscoring the need for a timely resolution to restore proper lighting and prevent similar issues in the future.