New EV fast charging stations energize Niwot's Cottonwood Square

Cottonwood Square Shopping Center, a central community hub in Niwot, has added a powerful new amenity for environmentally conscious shoppers with the installation of Level 3 fast-charging stations for electric vehicles.

The charging infrastructure, activated in August 2024, represents a significant investment in sustainable transportation for the Boulder County community. The project was funded through a $100,000 grant from Charge Ahead Colorado, matched by nearly equal investment from Cottonwood Square's ownership, MAC Management Cottonwood, LLC, with Xcel Energy providing additional equipment and services.

Cottonwood Square is home to many energy conscious customers who have expressed interest in having charging stations available for their electric vehicles. As a central community meeting place, the shopping center regularly sees numerous electric vehicles (EVs) parked throughout the day, making it an ideal location for this sustainable transportation infrastructure. This reasoning was highlighted in the project summary submitted as part of the grant application process, emphasizing how the charging stations would serve both current EV owners and the broader Niwot community.

Located on the east side of the Conoco Gas Station and convenience store across from Niwot Market at 7960 Niwot Road, the installation features two ABB Terra 124 CC stations, each equipped with two CCS1 connectors. This configuration allows up to four non-Tesla electric vehicles to charge simultaneously at rates up to 120 kilowatts.

The Level 3 fast-charging capability significantly reduces wait times compared to standard charging options. While Level 1 and 2 chargers typically require hours to fully charge a vehicle, these stations can charge compatible EVs to 80 percent capacity in approximately 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the vehicle.

The stations operate on the EVGateway network but are accessible to all EV drivers without requiring a paid subscription. Users can initiate charging and make payments through the EVGateway app or by scanning a QR code displayed on the charging station. The current rate is $0.45 per kilowatt-hour.

As part of the installation, Xcel Energy provided comprehensive electrical infrastructure upgrades, including a power upgrade, a new electrical pole, a dedicated panel and meter, and two new transformers to support the high-powered charging equipment.

The Cottonwood Square stations join 33 other EVGateway locations throughout Colorado, expanding the state's growing network of EV charging infrastructure. While there are no current plans for additional stations at Cottonwood Square, the ownership expressed confidence that "our EV charging stations will be an important addition to the community and appreciated by our EV customers."

Other EV charging stations in the Niwot area include the parking lot on Murray Street and 3rd Avenue, and Niwot High School at 8989 Niwot Road. For local electric vehicle owners, the new stations represent another convenient option for quick charging while shopping or dining in one of Niwot's most popular community gathering spots.