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Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Newsletter, May 2025 |
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Commission Remembers former PUC Chair Edythe Miller
Edythe (Edie) S. Miller was the first woman and first economist to serve on the Commission—breaking new ground when Governor Lamm appointed her in 1974. Her 12-year tenure, including many years as Chair, was marked by wisdom, fairness, and steady leadership through times of significant change in Colorado’s energy and telecommunications sectors.
Edie’s background as an economist and educator, her commitment to public service, and her active involvement in organizations such as the ACLU, NAACP, and National Organization for Women, enriched her work and inspired those around her. Her leadership also extended nationally as Chair of the National Regulatory Research Institute. Edie skillfully balanced the needs of consumers and businesses, famously describing the role of a commissioner as walking a “tightrope” between competing interests.
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Commission Updates
PUC Adopts Rules New Xcel Energy TOU, Proceeding No. 24AL-0377E:
Starting October 2025, Xcel Energy residential and small commercial customers will see new TOU rates and times. On-peak hours will change from the current 3 PM to 7 PM to the following:
- On-Peak: 5PM to 9PM on non-holiday weekdays, year-round
- Off-Peak: all other hours
Rates during On-Peak hours will be 2.7 times higher than Off-Peak, and summer rates will be overall higher than non-summer. The table below explains the differences in rates and the number of hours in 2026 that are On-Peak vs Off-Peak.
 All customers are by default enrolled in TOU rates. Xcel Energy customers can opt out of TOU rates to take electric service on a flat rate, which is higher than the TOU off-peak rate and lower than the TOU on-peak rate. Learn more about Opting Out from Xcel Energy's TOU here.
TOU rates are designed to give customers the option to save money by lowering electricity bills by adjusting when they use electricity (e.g. by running high-energy use appliances) to when the rate is reduced and by using less during on-peak hours.
Analysis shows that the rates approved by the Commission should result in either no change or a slight savings for the majority of customers, even if they are unable to shift when they use most of their electricity. Additionally, as utilities must build their system around delivering electricity when demand is at its highest, reducing peak demand results in fewer costs and lower bills for consumers over the long term.
Xcel will launch an online calculator later in 2025 to help customers see if the new rates save money or if a flat-rate plan is better. To learn more about TOU, visit here.
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A New Updated Key Proceedings Webpage
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This section includes information about high interest cases, including a brief background, timeline, key documents, as well as information on the type of case and similar past cases.
Basic Emergency Service (9-1-1) Rulemaking Underway
On April 23, the Commission voted to adopt a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking In response to address certain rules related to the provision of 9-1-1 service in Colorado. The draft rules proposed in the Notice would do the following:
- Define what types of services must be offered as mandatory and which services may be offered as optional in a Basic Emergency Service (9-1-1) tariff.
- Establish that the Commission will calculate the 9-1-1 surcharge rate in its annual proceeding to pay for both mandatory and optional services.
- Require local 9-1-1 governing bodies to report to the Commission on an annual basis regarding which optional services they have selected to purchase from the Basic Emergency Service tariff.
A virtual public hearing regarding the draft rules, in Proceeding No. 25R-0174T, will be held on June 9, 11:30am – 5pm. Join by clicking here or from the PUC Calendar.
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Fraud Alert: Don't Become a Victim When Moving
As students move from university campuses, the PUC often sees an increase in complaints about fraudulent moving companies. A simple way to keep your belongings safe is to hire only permitted moving companies.
All household moving companies working in Colorado, must provide:
- A written estimate and a written contract
- A PUC permit number that begins with the letters HHG.
Using a mover that is not permitted can potentially lead to the theft and/or uninsured damage of your property. If you want to confirm if a moving company is permitted, or feel you have been deceived or taken advantage of by a mover and want to file a complaint, contact the PUC at 303-894-2070 or puc.colorado.gov/movers.
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Notice - Gas Leak Emergency Response
If you suspect a natural gas leak, take immediate action to protect yourself and others.
Recognize the Signs:
- Smell: A sulfur-like or rotten egg odor (though some transmission lines may not have odorized gas).
- Sound: Hissing or whistling near a gas line.
- Sight: Dead vegetation near buried lines, bubbling in wet areas, or a vapor cloud.
What to Do:
- Evacuate Immediately: Leave the area or building on foot. Do not stay indoors or shelter in place, as gas can accumulate and ignite.
- Avoid Ignition Sources: Do not turn on/off lights, appliances, or cell phones near the leak, as these can create sparks.
- Move to a Safe Location: Go to a designated assembly point at least 1 mile (1.6 km) away, upwind from the leak.
- Report the Leak: Once safe, call 911 or your local gas company’s 24-hour emergency line
- Do Not Return: Stay away until emergency responders or gas company officials declare the area safe.
For First Responders:
- Prioritize Evacuation: Direct residents to evacuate to a safe assembly point, not to shelter in place, unless dealing with a toxic (non-flammable) gas leak.
- Secure the Area: Block roads within a 1-mile radius and prevent ignition sources (e.g., vehicles, radios).
- Coordinate with Gas Company: Allow gas company personnel to manage valves and equipment.
Important Notes:
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Do Not Shelter in Place for Natural Gas Leaks: Staying indoors increases the risk of gas accumulation and explosion. Shelter-in-place orders are only appropriate for specific toxic gas incidents, not flammable natural gas.
- Stay Informed: Follow updates from local authorities via radio or verified emergency alerts.
For more information, contact your local gas company or use this LINK to identify yours in Colorado.
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The Colorado Legislative Session adjourned on May 7. The summary of bills that may impact the PUC are listed below. Governor Polis will either sign, veto or let a bill become law by June 6, 2025.
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HB25-1040 “Adding Nuclear Energy as a Clean Energy Resource”
Adds nuclear energy to Colorado’s definitions of “clean energy” and “clean energy resource,” making nuclear projects eligible for clean energy financing and allowing utilities to use nuclear power to meet state clean energy targets.
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HB25-1110 “Railroad Crossing Maintenance Costs” Requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to clarify rules for distributing railroad crossing maintenance costs among responsible parties, ensuring fair and consistent cost-sharing statewide.
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HB25-1117 “Vehicle Immobilization Company Regulation” [sent to Gov. Polis]
Establishes comprehensive regulations for vehicle immobilization (booting) companies, including permit requirements, documentation standards, consumer protections, and prohibitions against predatory practices.
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HB25-1154 “Communication Services for People with Disabilities Enterprise”
Transfers management of telephone relay services for people with disabilities from the PUC to a new enterprise within the Department of Human Services, consolidating programs and establishing a Board of Directors appointed by the Governor by June 30, 2025.
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HB25-1175 “Smart Meter Opt-In Program”
Requires large investor-owned utilities to provide clear communication to residential customers about their right to refuse smart meter installation and request a traditional noncommunicating meter. Utilities must notify customers multiple times before installation, maintain a phone line and website with information, and ensure all smart meters comply with federal radio frequency standards and data privacy requirements.
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HB25-1177 “Utility Economic Development Rate Tariff Adjustments”
Adjusts economic development rate tariffs for investor-owned electric utilities, ensuring rates do not increase costs for other customers and maintaining greenhouse gas reduction requirements. The bill provides that the Commission may grant a longer time period for an economic development rate-–up to 25 years from the current 10—and increases the load threshold for qualifying projects.
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HB25-1234 “Utility Consumer Protection” [sent to Gov. Polis]
Strengthens existing safeguards for low-income utility customers by prohibiting the state from requiring or sharing an applicant’s citizenship or immigration status unless mandated by law; requiring a 60-day correction period for applicants whose LEAP applications are denied due to incomplete documentation; and requiring investor-owned utilities to pause service disconnections while a LEAP application is pending review.
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HB25-1280 “Advanced Leak Detection Technology Rules”
Requires the PUC to adopt new rules on natural gas pipeline advanced leak detection technology and repair requirements by November 1, 2025.
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SB25-052 “Railroad Investigative Report Confidentiality”
Revises Colorado law by removing the blanket confidentiality requirement for light rail investigative reports. The bill increases transparency while still protecting sensitive information as necessary for regulatory and safety purposes.
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SB25-060 “Repeated Phone Calls Obstruction of Government Operations” Expands the crime of obstructing government operations to include repeatedly calling public safety emergency entities, such as 911, without a valid reason after being warned to stop. Offenders can be charged with a class 2 misdemeanor, aiming to deter misuse of emergency services.
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SB25-162 “Railroad Safety Requirements”[sent to Gov. Polis]
Creates the Office of Rail Safety within the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) with authority over statewide railroad safety inspections, investigations, and enforcement. The bill sets new data reporting requirements and establishes a new railroad safety fee which goes into effect in FY27.
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SB25-175 “Sunset Bill Towing Task Force” [sent to Gov. Polis]
Extends the Towing Task Force’s existence until September 1, 2035, implementing recommendations from the 2024 sunset review. The Task Force will continue reviewing and advising on towing regulations, consumer protections, and industry standards in Colorado.
For more detailed descriptions, please click here.
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Public Utilities Commission Sunset Review Underway
The Colorado Office of Policy, Research & Regulatory Reform (COPRRR) has begun a sunset review for the PUC. These reviews occur every few years according to a schedule set by the legislature.
COPRRR reviews the PUC’s existing programs and functions to ensure they are necessary, fair, effective and efficient. COPRRR’s final recommendations will be issued in October of 2025 for consideration by the legislature in the 2026 legislative session.
A list of all COPRRR sunset reviews is available here: “Review in Progress”. Any individual or stakeholder group is encouraged to provide comments to COPRRR. The direct link for the PUC sunset review is available here.
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Commission Calendar & Upcoming Events
Please visit the PUC Calendar to learn about upcoming PUC events and hearings. Visit the PUC calendar.
 Xcel Energy Just Transition Solicitation, Proceeding No. 24A-0442E:
Xcel Energy filed for PUC approval of its 2024 “Just Transition Solicitation” (JTS) on Oct. 15, 2024. The JTS is Xcel Energy’s next Electric Resource Plan to address the acquisition of new utility resources to meet future electricity needs on its system. More information is available at the PUC Electric Resource Plans page. The Commission is expected to reach a final decision in August 2025.
JTS Virtual Public Comment Opportunity:
- Who: All community members, stakeholders and PUC Commission
- Virtual: Thursday, June 5: 5 - 7PM: Register here.
9-1-1 Services Enterprise Board Meeting:
The PUC 9-1-1 Enterprise Board holds meetings every two weeks on Wednesdays.
Proposed Rulemaking Regarding 9-1-1 Service Tariffed Items, Proceeding No. 25R-0174T:
The PUC will take virtual public comment for a rulemaking regarding the tariffing and reimbursement of 9-1-1 call delivery services.
- When: 11:30 AM and ending no later than 5 PM, Monday, June 9
- Register here
Xcel Energy’s Mountain Energy Project Proposal, Proceeding No. 25A-0044EG:
Xcel Energy filed for PUC approval of its 2025 application on Jan. 16, 2025. The project is a proposed long-term solution to address utility gas service in Grand Lake, Granby, Winter Park, Dillon, Frisco, Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Leadville and other surrounding communities—impacting approximately 33,500 Xcel Energy gas customers.
The project involves new gas utility facilities, such as compressed natural gas (“CNG”) and liquified natural gas (“LNG”); customer energy efficiency improvements; and alternative electric service and facilities. The central purpose of the project is to avoid the construction of traditional gas utility facilities. The Company estimates the project cost to be $155 million.
More information on the proposal is available on the PUC E-Filings, using the Proceeding No. 25A-0044EG at https://www.dora.state.co.us/pls/efi/EFI.homepage. The Commission is expected to reach a final decision in November 2025.
Mountain Energy Project Proposal Public Comment Opportunities:
- In Person: Wednesday, June 25, 5:30 - 7 PM, Summit County Community and Senior Center, 0083 Nancy’s Place, Frisco
- Virtual: Monday, Aug. 4, 11 AM to Noon and 6-7 PM: Register for the morning session and register for the afternoon session or at the PUC Calendar, puc.colorado.gov/puccalendar
- Services: Spanish interpretation services and a children’s activity table will be provided on June 25. Additional language interpretation is available by contacting Megan Castle, at megan.castle@state.co.us two weeks in advance of the public comment hearing.
Monthly Commission Hearing Public Comment Opportunity on Wednesday, June 11:
The Commission accepts in person and virtual public comment during the Commission's 2nd weekly meeting of the month (i.e. the 2nd Wednesday). The PUC holds formal meetings at 9 AM every Wednesday of the month, except for holidays.
- When: 9 AM, Wednesday, June 11
- Registration in advance is encouraged, but not required, for virtual and in person public comment. The registration link will be posted the Friday before the hearing and can be accessed from the PUC Calendar.
- Note: Comments may not be about any matter currently before the commission, which includes any topic on the agenda for that meeting and comments specific to any currently pending proceeding.
More Opportunities for Comment
Have something to say? Anyone can submit written or verbal public comments. Public comments should reference a proceeding number by:
- Submitting written comments through the Commission’s Electronic Filing System (E-Filings)
- Submitting written comments using the Commission’s online form.
- Submitting through email at dora_puc_website@state.co.us
- Mailing comments to the Commission’s offices at: Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202.
- Calling (303) 869-3490 to leave oral comments (English and Spanish options).
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