Many existing illuminated sign cabinets—pylon signs, wall signs, channel letter back lit boxes—still rely on fluorescent tube lighting. While these have served reliably for decades, the incoming regulatory landscape and the rapid advancement of LED technology make conversion not just desirable, but increasingly unavoidable. Colorado’s new law banning the sale and distribution of most fluorescent lighting starting January 1, 2025 (House Bill 23 1161) makes it critical for sign owners in the state to make decisions on the right LED retrofit service for their signage. Colorado’s Fluorescent Ban & What It Means for Signage Legislative Background Colorado’s House Bill 23 1161 (signed in 2023) phases out “general purpose fluorescent lighting” by January 1, 2025. As of that date, the manufacture, sale, or distribution of many linear fluorescent tubes (e.g. T8, T12) and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) becomes prohibited in Colorado. Implications for Sign Owners After January 1, 2025, sourcing replacement fluorescent tubes or ballasts in Colorado will become illegal (and impractical). Sign cabinets reliant on fluorescent lighting will become harder to maintain or repair using conventional parts. Businesses that fail to plan and convert may face compliance risk, disruption, or forced replacement under tight timelines. Why LED Is the Better Choice for Sign Cabinets Having Vision Visual Custom Sign Company Upgrade your signs to LED isn’t just compliance—it delivers real, measurable benefits: Advantage & Benefits in Sign Cabinets Energy Efficiency = LED modules or tubes typically use 50–70% less power than equivalent fluorescent setups (especially older high-output T12 systems). Longer Life / Reduced Maintenance = LED modules in sign cabinets are often rated 50,000 hours or more—or many years of service—reducing routine lamp replacement. Uniform Illumination / Better Optics = Modern LED retrofit systems offer optical control, lensing, and module spacing to reduce striping, hotspots, and dark zones—producing more uniform face illumination. Cold- & Startup Performance = Fluorescent lamps degrade in cold weather and often flicker or struggle at startup. LED systems deliver instantaneous illumination in a wide temperature range. Control & Dimming = LED drivers enable dimming, timers, and integration with building automation, allowing brightness reduction during low-traffic hours. No Mercury / Safer / More Sustainable = LED systems are mercury-free, reducing environmental risk and disposal concerns (important under stricter regulations). Reduced Heat in Sign Cabinet = Less waste heat can reduce stress on sign internals, power supplies, gasketing, and face materials. Because of these advantages, converting a fluorescent-lit sign to LED often pays back through energy and maintenance savings in a few years (depending on size, runtime, and energy rates). Technical & Design Challenges in Retrofitting Sign Cabinets Retrofitting is not always as simple as pulling old tubes and dropping in LED ones. Vision Visual Custom Sign Company offers expertise to address these key challenges and tradeoffs: Vision Visual Custom Sign Company Mechanical & Optical Layout Service: Module/Bar spacing and mounting: LED bars or modules have discrete light-emitting surfaces, not a continuous “tube” of light. Careful spacing, orientation, and aiming are crucial to avoid dark zones or shadows. Distance to face & depth constraints: Shallow cabinets may limit how far back you can mount modules. Your design must compensate with higher-lumen modules or different distributions. Reflectivity inside the cabinet: Existing interior surfaces (backplate, sidewalls) may need repainting or new reflective liner to maximize light transfer. Lens diffusion / face uniformity: You may need to adjust or replace diffusers or translucent faces to suit LED spacing and distribution. Thermal management: Although LEDs run cooler than fluorescents, the boards and drivers generate some heat. Adequate air circulation or thermal path is necessary, especially in sealed or outdoor cabinets. Electrical & Driver Considerations Ballast removal / bypass: Most LED retrofit systems require removal or bypass of the existing fluorescent ballast. You’ll often rewire the sign to feed LED drivers with proper voltage. Voltage ¤nt matching: LED modules have driver requirements (24 VDC, 12 VDC, or other proprietary voltages). Ensure your upstream wiring and junction boxes support that. Dimming / control compatibility: If the sign is on a dimming circuit or tied to building lighting controls, ensure the LED driver is compatible or provide a new control interface. Surge protection: The sign may need updated surge suppression due to different electrical behavior of LEDs vs fluorescent ballasts. Wiring layout and maintenance access: Plan wiring for serviceability. Use connectors, pigtails, and accessible junctions so modules can be replaced individually. Electrical Code & Permitting Ensure all retrofit wiring, junction boxes, and driver placements comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). In many jurisdictions, a retrofit may trigger a permit or inspection for the sign’s electrical system. Grounding, wire sizing, and conduit runs often need review when converting systems. Ensure UL / ETL listing or recognized equivalency in all retrofit components, especially for outdoor or wet-rated sign cabinets. Serviceability & Replacement Planning Design for modularity: allow single-module replacement without disturbing the entire system. Use connectors or quick-disconnect wiring where feasible. Schedule a LED Modernization Retrofit with Vision Visual Custom Sign Company Today Retrofitting old fluorescent-lit sign cabinets to LED is no longer just a “nice upgrade”—in many places, including Colorado, it’s a necessity. The upcoming ban on fluorescent tubes mandates that business owners with outdated fluorescent signs act proactively to avoid challenges. Vision Visual Custom Sign Company will assist you with audit, LED design and specification, LED retrofit installation, and ongoing maintenance. Your business signs will start saving energy, have reduced maintenance needs, stay compliant, and improve your brand’s visual impact.

When people think about signs, they often picture storefront logos, pole signs or roadside monuments. But for Vision Visual Custom Sign Company some of the most demanding—and rewarding—projects we take on are those that go straight to the top: high-rise and mid-rise signage solutions. These projects are more than just signs; they are beacons of brand identity that dominate city skylines, shape urban environments, and make bold statements visible for miles. From engineering and logistics to safety and permitting, high-rise signage requires an unmatched level of expertise, coordination, and precision. Here's a look inside what it takes to execute these monumental projects. High-rise signs aren’t just about visibility; they’re about brand presence. Whether it's a corporate headquarters, a luxury residential tower, or a regional hospital, a high-rise sign symbolizes success, permanence, and prominence. In densely populated urban centers, where competition for attention is fierce, the top of a building is often the most valuable advertising space available. For national brands, high-rise signage reinforces their identity across multiple markets. For local developers or property managers, it elevates their profile in a crowded real estate market. Challenges Unique to High-Rise Signage Projects High-rise signage projects are unlike any other signage jobs. Here's why: 1. Structural Engineering & Wind Load At 5, 10, 15 or even 20+ stories high, signs must withstand intense wind loads and environmental conditions. Our engineering teams work closely with structural consultants and building engineers to ensure that the signs can not only be securely and properly mounted but also last for years without compromising the building’s envelope. 2. Complex Permitting & Zoning Municipal regulations on signage vary widely by city and even by building zone. High-rise signage often requires extensive permitting, variances, and coordination with planning departments. Vision Visual Custom Sign Company offers in-depth knowledge of local codes across multiple jurisdictions and work directly with city governance to expedite and obtain approvals. 3. Installation Logistics Installing a sign at 200 feet is a logistical puzzle. Vision Visual Custom Sign Company implements the use of cranes, swing stages, rappelling and rooftop hoists for removal, installation and service projects. We coordinate closely with building owners, property managers, and general contractors to ensure that the installation process is safe, minimally disruptive, and meticulously planned to accommodate the needs of owners and tenants. 4. Safety is Non-Negotiable Safety is our top priority. High-rise projects demand strict adherence to OSHA standards, fall protection protocols, and often require night or weekend work to minimize risk and disruption. Vision Visual Custom Sign Company installation crews are highly trained in high-elevation work and supported by robust project management systems. Supporting National Sign Companies with Local Expertise What sets us apart is our ability to deliver consistent quality and service across Colorado – On Budget, On Time, On Spec. With UL fabrication facilities, knowledgeable project management and skilled and passionate engineering-oriented installation crews, we bring both the scale and the agility needed for high-rise and mid-rise signage solutions. Whether it’s coordinating a sign installation on a new structure or rebranding a building with landmark requirements, Vision Visual Custom Sign Company’s local knowledge and services combine with national sign companies and advertising agencies to rebrand clients’ properties, deliver results that meet and exceed expectations. A Few Notable Projects ZIVARO – Custom fabricated LED push-through LED cabinet installed via swing-stage and rooftop hoisting. TUFF SHED – New sign faces, and LED retrofit service using rooftop hoists to remove and install steel frame mounted channel letters. WELLS FARGO – Multiple locations throughout Colorado re-branding locations with sign systems removed and installed using swing stages and rappelling teams. Each project reflects a unique blend of engineering, creativity, and precision that only comes with experience and scale. Final Thoughts High-rise signage projects are the pinnacle—literally—of what we do. They require advanced planning, deep expertise, and absolute precision. At Vision Visual Custom Sign Company, we take pride in helping our clients rise above the skyline, one sign at a time. If your next project involves reaching new heights, we’re ready to get you there.