At Xcel Energy, it’s our job to provide customers with safe, reliable, increasingly clean energy at an affordable price. Our natural gas pipeline network stretches across the four corners of the state and we serve nearly 1.4 million natural gas customers in Colorado.
To deliver on our promise to provide safe and reliable energy—as well as the high-quality service that our customers expect— we must maintain and constantly monitor more than 24,000 miles of natural gas pipelines.
The 2018-2020 Colorado Natural Gas Rate case allows us to do even more to strengthen our ongoing public safety efforts and enhance the service we provide to you. Our goal is to ensure safety and energy reliability, while investing in infrastructure upgrades to accelerating our natural gas system and keeping prices competitive.
We have requested gradual price increases over the next three years to support public safety initiatives and continued investments in energy reliability. This will deliver value to you as we meet expanding customer needs and accommodate high-priority gas system improvement projects in communities across the state. The proposed changes must be reviewed and approved by our state regulators.
View our Rate Case Overview for more information about the regulatory rate review process and how it works.
It's a privilege to be your natural gas provider. We aim to meet or exceed your expectations for reliable, safe, competitively priced, and affordable service.
Safety is always Xcel Energy’s top priority. That extends to the operation of our underground natural gas pipelines. Our safety programs are recognized as some of the best in the industry; however, we are always striving to do even more and improve upon our proven track record.
In addition to funding current operations and new natural gas projects to enhance reliability of service throughout the state, our proposal funds safety investments to support:
Learn more about how we work to keep you safe:
Find more online about how we’re delivering value to you, today and into the future with our Colorado Energy Future Plan.
What is a rate case?
Just like any business, we must cover the costs of being in and doing business. For a utility, that includes providing energy to homes and businesses, meeting increasing regulations and making investments to maintain and improve our infrastructure. We file rate cases when those costs rise more than our sales grow.
Rate cases are a state-mandated regulatory rate review that investor-owned utilities go through to request funding to serve our customers. Xcel Energy is required to provide a detailed forecast and how the company will structure operations and make investments within a proposed timeframe (in this case, a three-year period). Our state regulators review the information, with input from commission staff, customers, business groups, cities and agencies, and other special interest organizations before making a decision.
Who approves rate cases?
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is responsible for reviewing and approving our regulatory rate review case. The commission consists of three individuals appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate. The commission ensures customers receive reliable, efficient and safe service at reasonable rates and that our investors earn a fair return on their investment.
Why is Xcel Energy asking for an increase?
We last requested a change in natural gas prices in 2015. The rate plan we are now proposing will cover costs associated with public safety and gas pipeline and equipment upgrades for service reliability over the next three years (through the end of 2020). Our goal is to ensure safety and energy reliability, while ramping up upgrades to our natural gas system and keeping prices competitive.
When would the new rates start?
New pricing would go into effect only after the Colorado Public Utilities Commission has made a final decision. In past regulatory rate review decisions, effective dates have been subject to change. While we requested new pricing to become effective 30 days after our filing, we anticipate that the Commission will need more time to evaluate our filing and that the new rates resulting from the Commission's review will be implemented in February 2018.
Have public comment hearings been scheduled?
Yes. Three public comment hearings have previously been held and three additional hearings will be hosted by the Colorado PUC on the following dates and times:
Denver: October 17, 2017 (4 p.m. to until concluded, but no later than 7 p.m.) at the PUC, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, in Denver, CO.
Pueblo: October 23, 2017 (4 p.m. to until concluded, but no later than 7 p.m.) at the Pueblo West Public Library, 298 S. Joe Martinez Boulevard, Pueblo, CO.
Grand Junction: November 2, 2017 (4 p.m. until concluded, but no later than 7 p.m.) at Mesa County Central Library, 443 N. 6th St., in Grand Junction, CO.
You can also follow the proceedings and access electronic filings at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (external link)
Tariffs for Advice Letter (PDF)
TCJA Settlement – Gas Rates (PDF)
TCJA Advice Letter and Tariffs – Gas (PDF)
Campbell Direct Testimony (PDF)
Brockett Direct Testimony (PDF)
Robinson Direct Testimony (PDF)
Brossart Direct Testimony (PDF)
Harkness Direct Testimony (PDF)
Dietenberger Direct Testimony (PDF)
Litteken Direct Testimony (PDF)
Schrubbe Direct Testimony (PDF)
Customers who are having, or anticipate having, a difficult time paying their bill should call us right away at 800-895-4999. We can create a payment plan to help customers catch up on the amounts owed, plus provide information about our company's energy assistance programs and state and nonprofit organizations that offer energy assistance funds.
Our rebates, energy efficiency programs and conservation offerings can also help customers identify energy savings opportunities. Find more online:
Lower Your Bill
Electric and Gas Affordability Programs
Billing & Payment FAQ
Please call our customer contact representatives at 800-895-4999.
June 2, 2017 News Release (PDF)
2018 - 2020 Colorado Natural Gas Rate Case Info Sheet (PDF)
Natural Gas Safety-It's Personal
Rate Books (Current Tariffs)
Customer Notice (PDF)
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