Commission Updates
PUC Approves Xcel Energy’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan, Proceeding No. 24A-0296E
On June 5, the Commission took final action on Xcel Energy’s 2025-2027 Colorado Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP). The Commission approved a settlement agreement which all parties to the case joined, and that resolved all of the issues. This is known as a unanimous and comprehensive settlement.
A diverse mix of parties intervened in this case including, the City of Boulder, Office of Utility Consumer Advocate, the City and County of Denver, Western Resource Advocates, Trial Staff of the PUC, the Colorado Energy Consumers and more.
Xcel Energy’s plan mitigation activities and investments include:
Wildfire Mitigation Plan includes:
- Undergrounding of about 50 miles of power lines
- Battery energy storage system rebates for critical facilities and customers in wildfire risk zones
- Rebuild major transmission lines
- Enhanced reporting and providing access to wildfire detection cameras to appropriate public safety partners
- Commitments on community outreach and engagement involving vegetation management
- A transmission and distribution pole location database
- Commitments by the Company regarding risk assessment and risk mapping, and related stakeholder processes
Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Plan includes:
- Commitments regarding outreach and engagement
- Integration of an incident command structure and filing of a “PSPS Playbook”
- Identification of critical customers and facilities to enable prioritization of these customers and provide enhanced communication, engagement and restoration work
The Company’s total projected budget for this application will be approximately $1.9 billion. Transmission-related wildfire mitigation costs will be recovered via the Company’s Transmission Cost Adjustment rider. Non-transmission costs will be deferred for future recovery via a Wildfire Mitigation Adjustment rider which will appear as a separate line item on bills, helping customers to better understand what they are paying for. Public Service also commits to file a financing order to securitize retail capital costs at the end of the plan period 2025-27, a step that will reduce ratepayer costs. The monthly bill impact will vary over time, reaching approximately $9 per month towards the end of the plan period, and then lowering after securitization.
A final written Decision is expected by the end of August 2025.
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Public Hearing and Next Steps for Xcel Energy’s “Mountain Energy Project”, Proceeding No. 25A-0044EG
PUC Hearing Commissioner Megan Gilman held a public comment hearing on June 25 at the Summit County Community and Senior Center in Frisco regarding Xcel Energy’s “Mountain Energy Project” proposal.
Xcel filed their Mountain Energy Project on Jan. 16, 2025, which proposes long-term solutions 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.
A second, virtual public comment hearing will be held Monday, Aug. 4, 11 AM to Noon and 6 - 7 PM: Register here for the morning session and register for the afternoon session or at the PUC Calendar, puc.colorado.gov/puccalendar
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Xcel Energy’s “Just Transition Solicitation” Electric Resource Plan, Proceeding No. 24A-0442E:
Xcel Energy’s “Just Transition Solicitation” (JTS), Proceeding No. 24A-0442E, is currently under review by the PUC.
Filed on Oct. 15, 2024, the JTS is Xcel’s Electric Resource Plan (ERP) and is designed to address the acquisition of new utility resources to meet future electricity needs as the company transitions away from coal-fired generation and responds to projected new demand from increased electrification, electric vehicles, and large loads like data centers. The JTS represents a multi-year, two-phased process that will shape Colorado’s energy landscape by identifying new power generation and storage solutions to replace retiring coal units and meet customers’ forecasted energy needs.
The plan is also a response to the scheduled retirements of several coal-fired units, including Unit 3 at the Pueblo facility (no later than Jan. 1, 2031), and the Craig and Hayden plants, which are set to retire in 2027 and 2028.
The primary objectives of the JTS are to ensure resource adequacy and reliable service for customers, continue progress toward emissions reductions, and deliver a just transition for communities impacted by the retirement of coal assets.
The PUC has engaged with impacted communities through public comment hearings, including in-person meetings in Pueblo (April 17) and Hayden (May 1), and virtual hearings (April 28 and June 5), to gather feedback from local residents and stakeholders. The Commission emphasizes that public input is a critical part of its review process, in order to best understand the unique needs and perspectives of those affected by the transition.
The Commissioners held evidentiary hearings June 13 - 24 (viewable on the PUC Youtube page), and is expected to issue a final decision in August 2025. Learn more about ERP and the JTS at the PUC Key Proceeding webpage.
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Numerous Rulemakings Underway for Heavy Rail - New Webpage Available
HB24-1030 and SB25-162 require the Office of Rail Safety to undertake several rulemakings to comply with new provisions in these bills. Four rulemakings are underway currently, including: training and incident response, fining, wayside detectors and blocked crossings, and template agreements for rail crossings. The PUC created a new webpage to help stakeholders track these rules.
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Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Issued for Advanced Leak Detection and Repair Rules for Natural Gas Pipelines
On June 18, the Commission opened a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for new rules addressing leak detection technology, leak survey intervals, and leak repair requirements for natural gas transmission, distribution and gathering pipelines under the PUC’s jurisdiction. The Commission assigned an Administrative Law Judge to this proceeding. Further information is available on the Commission’s e-filing page under Proceeding No. 25R-0280GPS.
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IPCS Annual Report Released
The Incarcerated People’s Communication Service released its annual report, “2024 Report on Commission Oversight of Colorado Penal Communications Services Providers” on April 29. Some key findings include:
- Complaints received in 2024 were slightly higher, largely due to service issues related to the transition of service providers used by Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) and pauses in certain types of services, including audio and video visitation, near the end of the year due to CDOC's service provider updating those services to meet new FCC requirements.
- New FCC requirements enacted to implement the Martha Wright Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act have changed requirements on Colorado's IPCS providers, imposing new federally mandated rate caps for intrastate IPCS calls.
- The IPCS program continues to improve its responsiveness to complaints and provide opportunities for public input including:
- A new online complaint portal at https://puc.colorado.gov/ipcs
- Updating quarterly reporting requirements for the IPCS providers
- Creating a new IPCS Task Force for individuals interested in discussing issues related to IPCS in the state of Colorado. Upcoming meetings of the Task Force will be posted on the IPCS web page and the PUC Calendar.
- The report can be accessed from the IPCS webpage under Annual Reports.
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