Key Proceedings
The sections below include information about open proceedings that may be of particular interest to the public. This does not include every open proceeding and other open proceedings can be found by searching E-Filings. You can find more information about how to participate in these proceedings here. This information is provided for educational purposes only.
Implementation of Senate Bill 21-272
Senate Bill 21-272 requires the Commission, among other things, to promulgate rules in which it considers how best to provide equity in all of its work. This proceeding is a “pre- rulemaking” and will not result directly in any new rules. Among other objectives, set forth in the Commission’s decision opening this proceeding (Decision No. C22-0239), the Commission intends to gather information to understand how to define equity and disproportionately impacted communities, understand how it can better engage participants in its proceedings, and assess what kinds of rules or other actions (including revising its policies and procedures) may be necessary to implement these provisions of state law.
The Commission has designated Commissioner Megan Gilman as the Hearing Commissioner to conduct this proceeding. The Hearing Commissioner will issue a recommended decision, which will then be subject to review by the full Commission. Additional information regarding the Commission’s ongoing equity efforts is available on the PUC website at: puc.colorado.gov/equity
Opportunities to Participate
Written public comments can be submitted at any time through the online comment form; by emailing comments to dora_puc_website@state.co.us; or, by mailing comments to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202. Members of the public may also call (303) 869-3490 to leave oral comments by voicemail (English and Spanish options). Commenters should indicate the relevant proceeding number in their comments.
Opportunities for the public to comment are ongoing and are announced through the Commission’s public calendar and at puc.colorado.gov/equity. To sign up for email updates, please contact PUC_SB272equity@state.co.us.
Xcel Wildfire Mitigation Plan
On June 27th, Xcel Energy filed a significant update to its Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP) for PUC approval. The updated WMP addresses Xcel Energy’s full suite of mitigation activities and investments, such as: targeted equipment inspections, repairs, and replacements; expanded vegetation management; system protection enhancements; weather and wind modeling; and community and stakeholder outreach. The updated plan covers proposed spending for the 2025-2027 period totaling approximately $1.9 billion.
As described by Xcel Energy, its updated WMP features:
- Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Program for when portions of the transmission and distribution systems are de-energized to avoid risk of wildfire ignitions. Xcel Energy proposes to assist its income-qualified, medical exemption rate, and medical certification program customers through the offering of new rebates for back-up energy support.
- Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) Program using sectionalized protective devices to operate the system more conservatively when wildfire conditions increase. The EPSS program is being expanded to include additional risk-based feeders, installation of new sectionalizing protective equipment, and deployment of new technology.
- Expanded Situational Awareness with expanded expertise and new weather stations in higher risk locations and the deployment of AI cameras.
- Expanded and Refined Wildfire Vegetation Management with the goals of reducing the frequency and potential of vegetation-caused outages and ignitions and reducing the consequence of severe weather events.
- Infrastructure Inspections using drone technology for defect and maintenance inspections, a comprehensive asset registry in high-fire threat areas, and three-dimensional maps of the equipment, the surrounding terrain, and nearby vegetation.
- Expanded Stakeholder Engagement including outreach and communication efforts to customers, OEMs, public safety partners, governmental and non-governmental institutions, and community organizations.
- Xcel Energy’s complete filing and all other related documents are publicly available through the PUC’s website (E-Filings) in Proceeding No. 24A-0296. In addition, several key portions of the plan are available here:
Updated WMP (link to attachment AZS-1)
Proposed 2025-2027 WMP Budget (link to attachment AZS-3)
Proposed Public Safety Power Shutoff Plan (link to attachment VAR-1)
The Commission will also be hosting a virtual public comment hearings regarding the 2025-2027 WMP:
- Tuesday, April 29, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm (register here)
Written comments may also be submitted anytime through the PUC’s website.
ELECTRIC RATE CASES
BLACK HILLS ELECTRIC RATE CASE
See the release about the decision related to the Black Hills Electric Rate Case
See the frequently asked questions related to this decision.
GAS RATE CASES
GAS INFRASTRUCTURE PLANS
A gas infrastructure plan is a detailed proposal by utility companies outlining the need for upgrades to their gas systems, including potential alternatives to system upgrades. This plan includes costs and timelines and must be reviewed and approved by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to ensure it meets safety, reliability, resiliency, and emissions standards and protects income-qualified utility customers and disproportionately impacted communities.
Gas infrastructure planning is a new process for the Commission, utilities, and stakeholders. The Commission recently adopted new rules setting forth requirements for gas utilities’ infrastructure planning. The initial plans submitted by regulated gas utilities are being reviewed in miscellaneous proceedings that are not fully adjudicatory. The purpose of this review is to provide opportunity for the refinement of future adjudicated filings.
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO
Proceeding No. 23M-0234G
The Commission is reviewing Public Service’s initial 2023-2028 Gas Infrastructure Plan.
The Commission has received comments from interested stakeholders and held a public comment hearing. On Feb. 23, 2024, the Commission issued a written decision (C24-0092), offering detailed guidance to the Public Service of Colorado as it further develops its 2025 Gas Infrastructure Plan. View the May 18, 2023 filing application here.
Opportunities to Participate
No further public comment hearings have been scheduled in this proceeding. Commissioner Gilman is investigating improvements to PSCo’s GIP process in Proceeding No. 24M-0261G, and additional comment opportunities will be made available in that proceeding.
Written public comments can be submitted at any time through the online comment form; by emailing comments to dora_puc_website@state.co.us; or by mailing comments to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202. Members of the public may also call (303) 869-3490 to leave oral comments by voicemail (English and Spanish options). Commenters should indicate the relevant proceeding number in their comments.
BLACK HILLS GAS INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
The Commission is reviewing Black Hill’s initial 2024-2026 Gas Infrastructure Plan. Black Hills filed its application on March 1, 2024. Black Hills’ initial GIP covers the period 2024-2029. The GIP is intended to increase the transparency of the Company’s processes and practices in deploying capital investments across its service territory. Black Hills' GIP contains the company’s larger capital investments, potential alternatives to some capital investments, and it intends for its investment plan to ensure system safety, reliability, and resiliency, and protects income-qualified customers and disproportionately impacted communities. The GIP includes four projects in the 2024-2026 action period totaling $22.4 million. These include three capacity expansion projects and one mandatory relocation project. The GIP also contains one project in a 2027-2029 informational period.
Opportunities to Participate:
- Written Public Comments: Interested stakeholders are welcome to submit public comments by September 3, 2024 and response comments are due October 1, 2024. Written public comments can be submitted at any time through the online comment form; by emailing comments to dora_puc_website@state.co.us; or by mailing comments to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202. Members of the public may also call (303) 869-3490 to leave comments by voicemail (English and Spanish options). Please indicate the relevant proceeding number in all comments.
ATMOS GAS INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
The Commission is reviewing Atmos’s initial 2024-2026 Gas Infrastructure Plan. Atmos filed its application on March 1, 2024. Atmos's initial GIP covers an action period from January 1, 2024, through December 1, 2026 and an informational plan extending through 2029. The GIP details Atmos’s larger planned capital projects in its service territory in Colorado. Atmos projects approximately $68 million in capital investment for Planned Projects through 2029. Five projects totaling an estimated $29.6 million are identified for the action period, and five projects totaling an estimated $38.6 million are identified for the informational period.
Opportunities to Participate:
- Written Public Comments: Interested stakeholders are welcome to submit public comments by August 13, 2024 and response comments are due September 10, 2024. Written public comments can be submitted at any time through the online comment form; by emailing comments to dora_puc_website@state.co.us; or by mailing comments to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202. Members of the public may also call (303) 869-3490 to leave comments by voicemail (English and Spanish options). Please indicate the relevant proceeding number in all comments.
Colorado Natural Gas Infrastructure Plan
Proceeding Number 24M-0060G
The Commission is reviewing CNG’s initial 2024-2026 Gas Infrastructure Plan. CNG filed its application on March 1, 2024. CNG's initial GIP is an informational plan for 2024-2029. The GIP details planned projects, their scope, purpose, budget, and other information related to the gas distribution systems in Colorado. The GIP includes three planned projects: (1) the Eastern Steel High-Pressure Line Replacement (Eastern Steel), (2) the GCC Concrete Plant-Pueblo (GCC project), and (3) the Port Colorado Trunk Line and Infill project (Port Colorado project).
Xcel Energy’s Just Transition Plan, Proceeding 24A-0442E
View the Electric Resource Plan Page here.
View the press release about Public Comment opportunities here.
CenturyLink Proposed Basic Emergency Service Tariff Amendment - New Services
This Commission has suspended and set for hearing a proposed tariff amendment to introduce new services and corresponding pricing to CenturyLink's Basic Emergency Service tariff. The Commission has referred this matter to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), who will adopt a procedural schedule, including any hearing dates. The new services include statewide text-to-911 service and geospatial routing of 9-1-1 calls.
Opportunities to Participate
Written public comments can be submitted at any time through the PUC’s online comment form; by emailing comments to the dora_puc_website@state.co.us; or by mailing comments to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202. Members of the public may also call (303) 869-3490 to leave oral comments (English and Spanish options). Commenters should indicate the relevant proceeding number in their comments.
Proceeding No. 24AL-0438T
CenturyLink Proposed Basic Emergency Service Tariff Amendment - Additional Redundancy
Qwest Corporation doing business as CenturyLink QC has proposed a tariff amendment to raise pricing to CenturyLink's Basic Emergency Service tariff in order to pay for additional network redundancy aimed at reducing local 9-1-1 outages. The proposed effective date of the tariff is December 31, 2024, and the proposed effective date of the rate increase is June 1, 2025.
Opportunities to Participate
Written public comments can be submitted at any time through the PUC’s online comment form; by emailing comments to the dora_puc_website@state.co.us; or by mailing comments to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202. Members of the public may also call (303) 869-3490 to leave oral comments (English and Spanish options). Commenters should indicate the relevant proceeding number in their comments.
Proceeding No. 24F-0470T
Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority vs. CenturyLink Formal Complaint
The Commission has ordered a hearing for a formal complaint submitted by the Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority (LETA) against CenturyLink. The Commission has referred this matter to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), who will adopt a procedural schedule, including any hearing dates.
Opportunities to Participate
Written public comments can be submitted at any time through the PUC’s online comment form; by emailing comments to the dora_puc_website@state.co.us; or by mailing comments to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202. Members of the public may also call (303) 869-3490 to leave oral comments (English and Spanish options). Commenters should indicate the relevant proceeding number in their comments.
24D-0534T - Petition for Declaratory Order, or in the Alternative Petition for Rulemaking
Joint Filing by Local 9-1-1 Authorities Requesting Declaratory Order or Rulemaking
Three local 9-1-1 Authorities have petitioned the Commission to issue a Declaratory Order or Open a Rulemaking to clarify how the Commission will address optional tariffed Basic Emergency Service charges in future proceedings setting the annual state 9-1-1 surcharge rate.
Opportunities to Participate
Written public comments can be submitted at any time through the PUC’s online comment form; by emailing comments to the dora_puc_website@state.co.us; or by mailing comments to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202. Members of the public may also call (303) 869-3490 to leave oral comments (English and Spanish options). Commenters should indicate the relevant proceeding number in their comments.
About the Rulemaking
The Commission recently issued proposed rules that would require utilities to consult and engage with federally recognized Tribes and the Colorado Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to identify potential impacts to the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site. The rules are drafted to recognize the role of local governments in siting decisions and to acknowledge that there are significant and complex federal, state, and local requirements for protecting cultural resources. The rules also propose processes for identifying whether other sites should be considered in Commission proceedings.
Utilities would be required to establish processes in their electric resource plans that ensure that bidders provide relevant information about cultural resource surveys and consultation with Tribal Nations. This information would help ensure the Commission has a robust understanding of potential impacts to the Sand Creek Massacre site and opportunities to mitigate them when it makes decisions about what energy resources to approve for regulated utilities.
Opportunities to Participate
This rulemaking is Proceeding No. 24R-0306E. Proposed rules have been issued through a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Decision No. C24-0494 (issued July 11, 2024). The proceeding is being overseen by an administrative law judge, who will issue a recommended decision on the rules in the coming months.
Agency staff held an informational meeting on the proceeding and rulemaking process on August 1, 2024, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. MT. The meeting recording can be found at the following link on YouTube: August 1 Information Meeting (YouTube link)
Agenda for August 1 meeting
Slides for August 1 meeting
Stakeholders also have the opportunity to provide comments both in writing and at an upcoming public comment hearing. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking requests initial written comments by August 9 and responsive comments by August 16. Comments can be provided any time the proceeding remains open through the methods on the PUC website.
A virtual public comment hearing will be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The hearing is anticipated to last until approximately 5:00 p.m., however, it may end significantly earlier depending on attendance. The hearing will be conducted via Zoom. Please register using the link provided on the public calendar: https://puc.colorado.gov/puccalendar.
To be notified in case of additional meetings or workshops on this topic, please sign up here.
If you would like to observe and not participate in upcoming events, they can be viewed live or recorded on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@COPublicUtilitiesCommission.