The PUC is mourning the loss of a dedicated public servant, colleague and friend. Pam Fischhaber, Deputy Director of Public Safety for Rail, Pipeline Safety, and Transportation, passed away on December 12, 2025.
Pam was a long-standing leader and one of the nation’s foremost experts in railroad safety and regulation. Pam dedicated her career to the PUC and is responsible for building much of the foundation of the PUC’s safety work in rail, natural gas pipelines, and transportation. Pam’s expertise, humor and warmth will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of working with her.
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Feedback Requested on Xcel’s Dec. 17 & Dec. 19 Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) Using Online Tool
The PUC wants to hear your feedback on Xcel Energy’s Dec. 17 and Dec. 19, 2025 Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). On Dec. 30, the PUC Commissioners opened Proceeding No. 25M-0001 to collect more comments and stakeholder input integral to an upcoming PSPS rulemaking. The PUC also created an online tool for Xcel customer comments at engagedora.org. The website allows Xcel customers to provide experiences and feedback and to take a survey.
Help Shape Future PSPS Rules
PUC Staff is currently working on a new set of PSPS rules establishing permanent requirements and standards. Comments and feedback will help ensure that the PUC’s rules are comprehensive. Please take a few minutes to give your feedback through the survey or comment links at the website.
New Proceedings Before the Commission
Xcel Files Natural Gas Rate Case, Proceeding No. 25AL-0538G
On Dec. 29, 2025, Xcel Energy filed a request with the PUC to adjust its natural gas base rates. Xcel is requesting a net increase of $190 million (approximately 11.4%) in annual natural gas revenue. The filing seeks an increase in annual revenue to fund system safety, reliability and infrastructure modernization.
If approved as filed, new rates would raise average residential gas bills by $7.59 (approximately 11.4%) a month and small businesses by an average increase of $36.47 (approximately 13.0%). Rates would take effect in October 2026:
To support affordability, Xcel has proposed a $5 million shareholder-funded contribution to its Gas Affordability Program for income-qualified customers.
The Commissioners will set the rate case for hearing at its Jan. 21 Commissioners’ Weekly Meeting (CWM). The PUC will conduct a formal review over the coming months.
Customers are encouraged to share written comments via the PUC Online Comment Form or by email at dora_puc_comments@state.co.us citing Proceeding No. 25AL-0538G.
Learn more about Gas Rate Cases and this Proceeding at the PUC Gas Rate Case Key Issues webpage.
Atmos Energy Files Natural Gas Rate Case, Proceeding No. 25AL-0499G
Atmos Energy Corporation recently filed a rate case with the PUC, seeking an adjustment to its base rates for natural gas sales, infrastructure investment and implementation of a new rider to capture the effects of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and potential changes to state and federal tax laws.
The company is requesting a net increase in annual gas base rate revenues of approximately $17.56 million, representing a 13.8% increase. If approved as filed, the average monthly bill for residential customers is projected to increase by approximately $5.32 to $5.61 (8.5% to 10.1%), depending on the location of the service territory in Colorado.
At the Dec. 17 CWM, the Commissioners set the rate case for hearing and interventions are due Jan. 20. The Commission will now conduct a formal review to determine if the proposed rates are "just and reasonable" including evidentiary hearings and public comments.
Customers are encouraged to share written comments via the PUC Online Comment Form or by emailing dora_puc_comments@state.co.us citing Proceeding No. 25AL-0499G.
Key Issues Before the Commission
Xcel Energy’s Proposed Just Transition Solicitation (JTS), Proceeding No. 24A-0442E
During the Jan. 7 CWM, the Commissioners began discussing applications for rehearing, reargument, or reconsideration (RRR) regarding “Phase I” of Xcel Energy’s Just Transition Solicitation, Proceeding No. 24A-0442E. On Jan. 14, the Commissioners will continue discussions, working to finalize a decision on the RRR applications so the electric resource plan can move on to “Phase II” with bid solicitation and new resource selection.
Understanding "Tolled" Deadlines
Stakeholders may notice that the decision deadline for the JTS RRR applications has been “tolled”. In PUC proceedings, applications for RRR must be addressed by a written Commission decision within 30 days or they are automatically denied. "Tolling" means that the legal clock is paused. This ensures that the Commission has the necessary time to fully reconsider the evidence and arguments presented, preserving its ability to grant requests it determines reasonable.
Xcel Energy’s Near-Term Procurement (NTP), Proceeding No. 21A-0141E
The Commission held a two-day technical conference addressing Xcel Energy’s Near-Term Procurement (NTP) on Dec. 18 and Dec. 19. Coming up, comments from parties are due on Jan. 12, and the Commission is expected to make a decision at a CWM by the end of January. Use the Proceeding No 21A-0141E in E-Filings to learn more.
Commission Approves Xcel Energy’s Distribution System Plan 2025-29 and First Virtual Power Plant Program, Proceeding No. 25A-0061E
The PUC approved Xcel Energy’s 2025-29 Distribution System Plan (DSP) on Dec. 15, to upgrade the local electrical grid that serves homes and businesses across the state that includes:
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Expansion: A 38% increase in the number of distribution feeders to keep up with population growth.
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Modernization: Upgrading aging equipment to improve safety and prevent outages.
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Investment: Approximately $2.9 billion in local infrastructure over the next few years.
The PUC also approved Colorado’s first Aggregator Virtual Power Plant program. A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) isn't a single building with a smokestack. Instead, it is a network of smaller energy resources—like home batteries, smart thermostats, and electric vehicle chargers—working together.
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How it works: When demand for electricity is very high, the VPP can coordinate these devices to either reduce energy use or send stored power back to the grid.
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The goal: By using these "distributed" resources, the utility can avoid running expensive, older power plants and reduce the need for some costly new infrastructure.
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Next steps: The program aims to enroll 125 megawatts of new resources over five years, with a competitive bidding process starting soon for companies that want to manage these networks.
To pay for these essential upgrades, the Commission approved a new bill rider called the Grid Modernization Adjustment Clause (GMAC):
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Residential Impact: For a typical residential customer, the initial impact is expected to be about $0.54 per month starting in January 2026.
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Performance First: The Commission has denied full cost recovery for certain projects until Xcel Energy establishes a "performance framework" in early 2026. This ensures that the company is held accountable for meeting specific goals before customers pay the full amount.
Learn more about DSPs at the PUC Key Issues webpage and this Proceeding No. 24A-0547E.
Black Hills Energy Distribution System Plan Approved, Proceeding No 25A-0062E
The Commission reached a formal decision on Dec. 1, regarding Black Hills Energy’s 2025–2027 Distribution System Plan (DSP), Proceeding 25A-0062E. The Commission approved the plan with specific exceptions and modifications. This decision ensures that critical infrastructure investments move forward while maintaining strict oversight of ratepayer costs and environmental goals.
While the Commission acknowledged the necessity of many proposed upgrades, the approval came with several "exceptions" intended to protect ratepayers:
- Refined Grid Modernization: Certain non-essential technology pilots were deferred to ensure that immediate investments prioritize grid safety and reliability over experimental software.
- Enhanced Reporting: Black Hills is now required to provide more granular data regarding "non-wires alternatives"—solutions like battery storage or energy efficiency that can sometimes replace the need for expensive physical infrastructure.
Learn more about DSPs and this Proceeding 25A-0062E at the PUC DSP Key Issues webpage.
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