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Affordability and Energy Bills

With the recent completion of the legislative session, Commission staff are evaluating the impacts of new legislation and are temporarily postponing progress reporting.

The mission of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission is to serve the public interest by effectively regulating utilities and facilities so that the people of Colorado receive safe, reliable, and reasonably-priced services consistent with the economic, environmental, and social values of our state. Affordability is a critical part of the Commission’s oversight as it regulates Colorado gas and electric utilities. The Commission’s Affordability Initiative demonstrates its commitment across the Commissioners and agency Staff to continue working in the interests of Colorado customers to promote safe, reliable, and affordable utility services, and to respond to issues identified in a letter from Governor Polis.

What Happened?

Colorado experienced a perfect storm of high gas commodity prices, a deeply cold winter, and the recovery of previously deferred gas costs from events like Winter Storm Uri, leaving many customers concerned about their ability to pay their energy bills. While the commodity price of natural gas had been relatively low and stable for over a decade prior to about 2022, global events such as the war in Ukraine and the increase in US liquified natural gas exports has resulted in market volatility punctuated by periods of very high gas prices. Learn more about what has been happening here:

  • January 25, 2023 Staff Presentation at Commissioners’ Weekly Meeting (slides, video)

  • February 22, 2023 Commissioners’ Information Meeting on the Status of Income-Qualified Energy Assistance Programs (agenda and slides, recording)

  • March 7, 2023 Staff Presentation to General Assembly’s Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates (slides, audio)

  • Understanding How the Gas Cost Adjustment Works

  • Frequently Asked Questions on Affordability (under construction)

  • Deputy Director Gene Camp answering questions on radio

Chief Economist Erin O'Neill breaks down energy bill line items.

The Commission approved a process by which it will work to preserve and enhance energy affordability in Colorado through the next winter heating season. You can read the full work plan here. You can follow progress by reading staff’s monthly progress reports and by listening to monthly presentations at Commissioners’ Weekly Meetings.

Documents:

Discussions:

  • February 2, 2023 Commissioners’ Weekly Meeting discussing connections to Senate Bill 21-272 (recording)

  • April 5, 2023 Commissioners’ Weekly Meeting discussing work plan (recording)

You can learn about significant proceedings that are open at the Commission through the key proceedings webpage and through the monthly progress reports on the work plan.

Relevant activities will be added here as they are announced.

Resources are available for residents and businesses who are having difficulty paying their bills, and the Commission has rules in place that create protections for electric and gas customers who are at risk of disconnection.

How to seek energy bill assistance:

What to do if you receive a disconnection notice:


For support in your preferred language, please use the Language Access Form.

Comments or Questions

Learn more about how to comment in an open proceeding here.