Power interruptions are not uncommon for Colorado businesses. Whether it’s a spring snowstorm that causes downed powerlines or wildfire smoke from active blazes in neighboring states, power interruptions have become increasingly common in Colorado. According to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, Xcel Energy customers experienced an above-average number of power outages every month throughout 2024, 2025, and the first half of 2026.
When the lights go out, businesses may lose sales, have to send employees home for the day, or have to deal with spoiled inventory. One of the best ways to prevent this from happening is by investing in an electrical backup system. Your two main options include a permanent standby system and a portable system. Both have a place, but they’re built for very different situations.
How Standby Generators Work
A standby generator is permanently installed outside your building and wired directly into your electrical system. It’s paired with an automatic transfer switch that senses when utility power drops. The generator starts on its own, usually within a matter of seconds. When the grid comes back, the switch moves your building back to utility power and the generator turns off.
There are several benefits to investing in a standby generator:
- Runs on gas or diesel. Standby units typically run on natural gas or diesel, allowing them to operate for long stretches without having to be refueled.
- Custom sizing. Standby generators can be sized to power an entire facility or just the critical systems you choose, such as refrigeration, servers, or security.
- Automatic operation. Because they run automatically, standby units protect your business even when no one is there, such as nights and weekends.
How Portable Generators Work
Portable generators are smaller units on wheels. When you need them, you roll them out, turn them on, and connect them. They’re usually fueled by gasoline or propane and require refueling during long outages. To power equipment safely, portable units should connect through a properly installed transfer switch or inlet rather than extension cords.
The main appeal to portable units is that they’re affordable and can move between locations. The tradeoff however, is that they have limited capacity and convenience. Someone has to be there to set them up, keep them fueled, and run them outdoors at a safe distance from the building, since carbon monoxide is a concern.
Which One Fits Your Business?
Portable generators make sense for small businesses, such as a small coffee shop that only needs to keep a few essentials running for a short time. They’re also a practical choice for temporary needs, like keeping tools running on a job site.
Standby generators are usually the better fit when an outage would cause real damage to your business. For example, restaurants with walk-in coolers, manufacturing facilities with production schedules, and businesses with servers or security systems can’t go long without power. Some businesses are even required by code to have emergency power that starts automatically.
Ask yourself this question if you’re still not sure: What would a full day without power look like for your business? If the answer is lost inventory, missed revenue, or safety concerns, a standby system pays for itself.
Sizing Matters, Especially in Colorado
Whichever generator you choose, proper sizing is essential. An undersized unit may trip offline when large motors or compressors start, while Colorado’s higher elevations can reduce generator output. A professional load calculation from MV Power Solutions accounts for these factors to ensure your generator can handle your business’s power needs.
Get Backup Power That Fits the Way You Work
MV Power Solutions designs, installs, and maintains generator and backup power systems for businesses across Colorado. Our team handles everything from load calculations and system sizing to permitting, automatic transfer switch installation, and ongoing preventative maintenance. We work with office buildings, restaurants, healthcare facilities, manufacturers, and general contractors on new construction and retrofit projects alike. If you need power on a job site, we offer temporary generator setups too.
Not sure which type of generator is right for your business? Contact MV Power Solutions or call (720) 287-2305 to talk through your backup power needs.