'It's a big task for us': Why Colorado Springs Utilities says they will need to repair traffic lights on I-25 after finding them shut off

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Colorado Springs Utilities has identified that recent outages of traffic lights on I-25 were due to copper wire theft. To address the issue, the utility company plans to replace the stolen copper wiring with aluminum wiring, which is more cost-effective and less appealing to thieves.

According to Alex Trefy, a spokesperson for Colorado Springs Utilities, older street lights often contained copper wiring, which can fetch a price when recycled. Reports of the outages were received for the section of I-25 from exit 143 near Uintah to exit 141 at Cimarron Street late last year.

Repairs have already been carried out on some lights at Bijou Bridge and Cimarron Bridge, with additional exterior lights near I-25 also being addressed. Trefy mentioned that the utility is actively working on a solution and expects repairs to commence in the coming weeks.

The transition to aluminum wiring not only aims to deter future theft but also allows for cost savings in the utility's operations. Trefy noted that repairing the lights on I-25 will require coordination with local law enforcement to manage traffic safely during the repair process.

Officials are targeting April to begin the necessary repairs to restore functionality to the affected traffic lights.