The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has announced four opportunities for the public to learn about and comment on regulatory actions currently under consideration. This is part of the commission’s program to improve the clarity and transparency of what critics have characterized as a “Byzantine” and impenetrable system, which requires substantial expertise in commission procedures to understand.

The same legal complexity, say critics, also keeps the layperson in the dark about what’s going on inside individual PUC cases, especially those involving rate changes and new projects proposed by public utilities that consumers will eventually end up paying for.

The commission has been working to improve its processes for informing and engaging the public and said it is “committed to informing and engaging the public in the matters before the commission and values hearing perspectives from impacted community members, which is critical in decision-making.”

“The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) serves the public interest by effectively regulating utilities and facilities so that the people of Colorado receive safe, reliable, and reasonably-priced services consistent with the economic, environmental and social values of our state,” said the commission in a news release. “The PUC invites the public to provide public comment, participate in informational and stakeholder meetings, and engagement opportunities. The PUC provides a list of the upcoming opportunities each month, which can also be found on the PUC calendar, and can be found here.”

Upcoming PUC opportunities include:

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.

The primary objectives of the JTS include fulfilling resource adequacy and providing reliable service; continuing progress on emissions reductions, and delivering a just transition in communities where generation assets are retiring. Xcel Energy’s Unit 3 coal-fired facility in Pueblo will retire no later than Jan. 1, 2031, and coal-fired facilities in Craig and Hayden are set to retire in 2027 and 2028.

More information is available at the PUC Electric Resource Plans page. The commission is expected to reach a final decision in August 2025.

Virtual public comment opportunity:

• Who: All community members, stakeholders and PUC Commission

• Virtual: Thursday, June 5: 5 p.m.-6 p.m. Register here.

9-1-1 Services Enterprise Board meeting:

The PUC 9-1-1 Enterprise Board holds meetings every other Wednesday.

• When: 3 p.m.- 4 p.m., Wednesday, June 4 and June 18

• Register here

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 a.m. and ending no later than 5 p.m., 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 p.m.-7 p.m., Summit County Community and Senior Center, 0083 Nancy’s Place, Frisco

• Virtual: Monday, Aug. 4, 11 a.m. to noon and 6 p.m.-7 p.m.: 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 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:

The commission accepts in-person and virtual public comments during the commission’s second weekly meeting of the month (i.e. the second Wednesday). The PUC holds formal meetings at 9 a.m. every Wednesday of the month, except for holidays.

• When: 9 a.m., Wednesday, June 11

• Registration in advance is encouraged, but not required, for virtual and in-person public comment. The registration link will be posted on the Friday before the hearing and can be accessed from the PUC Calendar.

• Please 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.

Other ways to submit public comments and for more information:

• Public comments should reference the Proceeding Number

• Submit written comments using the commission’s online form

• Submit through email at dora_puc_website@state.co.us

• Mail 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)

• Public comment hearing information is available on the PUC Calendar or https://puc.colorado.gov/puccalendar

• Interpreting services for ASL and Spanish are available upon request when received two weeks in advance of each hearing. Submit requests to Megan.Castle@state.co.us