public utilities commission
equity initiatives
Equity at the Colorado Public Utilities Commission
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is embarking on a process in which it will consider how best to provide equity in all of its work, by adopting rules and practices informed by equity considerations. This process is driven by Senate Bill (SB) 21-272, which states that:
“The Commission shall promulgate rules requiring that the Commission, in all of its work including its review of all filings and its determination of all adjudications, consider how best to provide equity, minimize impacts, and prioritize benefits to disproportionately impacted communities and address historical inequalities."
Comment opportunities are open!
On February 23, 2024, Commissioner Megan Gilman issued a decision seeking written comments from stakeholders to help the Commission make rules implementing some of the requirements of SB 21-272. The legislation says that when making decisions about retail customer programs, the Commission shall ensure to the extent reasonably possible that low-income customers and customers in disproportionately impacted communities receive proportionate access to the benefits of those programs. While the specifics are yet to be determined, retail customer programs could include energy efficiency, renewable energy, or electric vehicle programs that utility customers can sign up for.
While more information and questions are provided in the decision, comments are welcome on questions like:
Which energy programs that electric or gas utilities offer to residential energy customers do you think should be evaluated to make sure there are equitable benefits to disproportionately impacted communities?
Think about a time you have participated in or tried to participate in a customer energy program. What was the program? How did you access information about the program and how to participate? Was communication about the program straightforward and easy to follow? What do you consider to be the most significant benefits of customer energy programs to you, your household, or your community? What challenges or barriers did you face, if any, as you enrolled in the program?
Is there a particular basis which would be the best approach for measuring proportionate access to the benefits of retail customer programs, such as measuring direct financial benefits, program participation, direct program outcomes, or indirect or non-energy benefits?
What data would be needed to assess whether proportionate access is being provided?
Should proportionate access be based on planning to provide benefits (prospective) or actual distribution of benefits (retrospective)?
Initial written comments are requested by March 14, 2024, and responsive comments by March 28, 2024. Please use this online form to submit written comments, or use one of the other options listed below.
Get Involved with the PUC's Equity Work
Sign Up for News and Alerts
Join the PUC Equity Listserv for updates on workshops and other activities related to equity and Senate Bill 21-272.
Keep informed about general activities at the Commission by signing up for news releases
Watch Commissioners' Weekly Meetings held at 9am on Wednesdays (YouTube)
Watch current or prior meetings and other events
Participate in Workshops and Other Activities
Learn about and register for equity-related workshops and activities through our Events Page
Find all public meetings and hearings on the Commission's public calendar
Send Us a Public Comment
Public comments are most comparable to writing an letter to an elected official. Comments are provided to whomever is deciding the matter (i.e., Commissioners or an administrative law judge) and are maintained as part of the Commission's proceedings. The Department of Public Health and Environment has helpful tips on making effective public comments. We offer several options to submit public comments:
Submit comments through our online form
Call in a leave a oral comment at (303) 869-3490 (English & Spanish Option)
Email comments to dora_puc_website@state.co.us
Mail written comments to Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202
Create an account in E-Filings, the Commission's electronic document management system (Tips for Getting Started)
Staff may send surveys or requests for comments on specific issues to the equity and SB 21-272 email list
We may be able to accept comments in other formats, such as video, but please contact PUC_SB272equity@state.co.us in advance
Please include "Proceeding 22M-0171ALL" and/or "Senate Bill 272" in your comment to help us get it to the right place.
Participate in Other Commission Proceedings
Language Access
The Commission strives to accommodate all members of the public at its hearings and meetings by providing services for foreign language users and persons with disabilities upon receipt of a reasonable accommodation request. Requests for such accommodations should be made at least one week prior to the event by completing the Language Access Form. Requests can also be made directly by contacting Holly Bise at 303.894.2024 or by emailing holly.bise@state.co.us.