Colorado
Colorado Public Utilities Commission
Commissioners
3Active Proceedings
2Docket No. 25AL-0494E
Public Service Co. of Colorado seeks approximately $290 million in electric rate increases, filed November 2025. If approved, typical residential bills would rise about $9.94/month starting August 2026.
Docket No. 25AL-0538G
Public Service Co. of Colorado seeks $190 million in additional annual gas revenue — an 11.4% increase — to fund system modernization and safety. Filed December 2025; residential bills would rise ~$7.59/month.
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State Intelligence
Updated May 26, 2026Utility Landscape
Public Service Company of Colorado (Xcel Energy)
IOUNorthern, central, and eastern Colorado including Denver metro, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs
Xcel is the dominant IOU in Colorado and faces ongoing scrutiny over its Clean Energy Plan and coal transition timelines. The company filed a significant electric rate case in 2024 and has been subject to heightened CPUC oversight following wildfire liability concerns tied to the Marshall Fire.
Black Hills Energy (Colorado Electric and Gas)
IOUSoutheastern Colorado including Pueblo, Canon City, and surrounding rural areas for both electric and natural gas service
Black Hills filed a combined electric and gas rate case in 2024 seeking substantial revenue increases tied to infrastructure investment and rising capital costs. The CPUC has scrutinized the company's resource planning and renewable integration pace relative to Colorado's clean energy mandates.
Atmos Energy (Colorado-Kansas Division)
IOUNatural gas distribution across portions of eastern Colorado and southern Colorado communities
Atmos has pursued pipeline safety and system modernization riders in recent years. Regulatory focus has shifted toward scrutiny of long-term gas infrastructure investment given Colorado's statutory goals to reduce building and transportation emissions.
Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA)
coopPortions of the Denver metro exurbs including Douglas, Elbert, Jefferson, and Park counties
IREA is one of the largest distribution cooperatives in the U.S. by revenue and is not directly subject to CPUC rate jurisdiction but operates under REA statutes. Its historically slow renewable transition has drawn legislative and advocacy pressure as Colorado's clean energy standards apply increasing compliance tension.
Colorado Springs Utilities
muniCity of Colorado Springs and surrounding El Paso County communities; provides electric, gas, water, and wastewater
As a home-rule municipal utility, Colorado Springs Utilities operates largely outside CPUC jurisdiction but is subject to state renewable energy and emissions statutes. The utility is mid-execution on a coal retirement and renewable buildout plan that includes new gas peaking resources, which has drawn environmental challenge.
Holy Cross Energy
coopMountain resort communities in western Colorado including Aspen, Vail, Glenwood Springs, and Eagle County
Holy Cross Energy has been a regional leader among cooperatives on renewable procurement and electrification programs. The co-op has partnered with Xcel and other entities on transmission access issues and is navigating load growth from electrification in high-altitude resort communities.
Key Issues
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Xcel Energy Clean Energy Plan (CEP) implementation and coal unit retirement sequencing: The CPUC approved Xcel's CEP requiring retirement of Comanche Units 1 and 2 and significant renewable procurement, but ongoing compliance filings and potential schedule modifications related to grid reliability and transmission constraints continue to generate active docket activity into 2026.
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Electric rate case revenue requirement disputes and capital cost recovery: Both Xcel and Black Hills have pending or recently resolved rate cases with contested return on equity figures, wildfire cost recovery mechanisms, and infrastructure surcharge structures, reflecting a national trend of utilities seeking higher allowed ROEs in a high-interest-rate environment.
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Gas utility long-term resource planning and stranded asset risk: Colorado SB 23-272 and associated CPUC rulemaking require gas utilities to conduct thermal energy network studies and assess decarbonization pathways, creating friction between utilities defending gas infrastructure investment and commissioners applying a least-regrets standard for capital expenditures.
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Wildfire mitigation cost recovery and utility liability framework: Following Xcel's equipment being identified as a probable ignition source in the Marshall Fire (December 2021), the CPUC and Colorado General Assembly have been active on wildfire mitigation plan requirements, cost recovery mechanisms, and potential liability caps, with rulemaking and legislative activity continuing into 2026.
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Transmission planning and interconnection queue reform under FERC Order 1920 and Colorado-specific IRP integration: Colorado utilities and the CPUC are working to align state integrated resource planning processes with FERC's long-range transmission planning requirements, with disputes over cost allocation between in-state load and regional beneficiaries emerging as a significant issue in 2025–2026 dockets.
Upcoming
Estimated deadline for Xcel Energy to file its next annual Clean Energy Plan compliance progress report with the CPUC, including renewable procurement milestones and Comanche retirement updates. Exact date subject to CPUC procedural order confirmation.
Estimated CPUC decision deadline on Black Hills Energy Colorado electric rate case Phase II cost allocation and rate design issues, following anticipated evidentiary hearings in spring 2026. Parties including the Colorado Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate expected to contest distribution infrastructure riders.
Estimated deadline for Colorado gas utilities (Xcel Gas, Black Hills Gas, Atmos) to submit Thermal Energy Network Feasibility Studies and long-range decarbonization pathway analyses pursuant to CPUC Proceeding No. 23A-0690E rulemaking requirements. Filing date estimated based on prior procedural schedule.
Estimated commencement of evidentiary hearings in Xcel Energy's anticipated 2026 electric rate case, expected to address wildfire mitigation cost recovery, grid modernization capital investments, and rate design for transportation electrification programs. Filing and schedule dates are projected based on historical biennial rate case cadence.
Commissioner Watch
View all ↗Gov. Jared Polis reappointed Eric Blank for a second four-year term as PUC Chairman, effective January 12, 2025; the Colorado Senate confirmed the appointment on April 9, 2025.
Staff
93| Name | Title | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Harris G. Adams | Chief Administrative Law Judge | (303) 894-2000 |
| Bob Bergman | Engineer/Commission Advisor | (303) 894-2000 |
| Drew Bolin | Section Chief, Strategic Communications | (303) 894-2000 |
| Ron Davis | Chief Commission Advisor | (303) 894-2000 |
| Doug Dean | Director | (303) 894-2000 |
| Pam Fischhaber | Chief of Rail and Transit Safety | (303) 894-2000 |
| Ellie Friedman | Rate/Financial Analyst | (303) 894-2000 |
| Charles Hernandez | Chief Economist | (303) 894-2000 |
| Ronald D. Jack | Chief, Transportation & Administration | (303) 894-2000 |
| Erin L McLauthlin | Sr. Assistant Attorney General | (720) 273-8826 |
| April Woods | Consumer Affairs Supervisor | (303) 894-2000 |
| Gail Conners | Section Chief of Media Relations, Outreach and Engagement | (303) 894-2827 |
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