Why you should care about Colorado's state utility regulator
Its authority is up for renewal this year, and changes are likely
The state utility regulator with the power to influence Coloradans’ electricity, gas and phone bills could see some changes as lawmakers work on renewing its authority.
The Public Utilities Commission, known as the PUC, is arguably the most important regulatory body in Colorado. It’s a three-member panel that sets rules for power, telecommunications, transportation and other companies that we all use every day.
The PUC has been around since 1913, and every state in the U.S. has a similar body. But here in Colorado, it has to be reauthorized every few years. The last authorization was passed in 2019, with a seven-year timeframe. The reauthorization bill currently being considered would extend the commission until 2037.
The reauthorization law is important because the PUC is so powerful, and the law will shape how it works. This year’s bill includes a slew of proposed changes ranging from simple things like allowing commissioners to send emails, to more complicated issues like how electricity companies fund themselves.
A recent report from the federal government showed Colorado saw over 130,000 electricity disconnections in 2024. With energy and other costs on the rise, the PUC is going to play a crucial role in determining how accessible utilities are for Coloradans.
Need to Know
🚕 A Colorado lawmaker who was sexually assaulted by a Lyft driver has brought back a bill to more strictly regulate ride-hailing companies. The proposal would include more stringent background checks for drivers, options for audio and video recording during rides, and a requirement for companies to send annual reports to lawmakers on assaults and threats. Gov. Jared Polis, who became extremely wealthy working in the tech sector prior to his political career, vetoed a similar bill last year. (CPR, read the bill)
🗑️ Lawmakers are working on fixes for recent anti-pollution measures that had unforeseen consequences. One effort focuses on providing state funding for rural landfills to help them comply with air quality regulations passed last year. (Sky-Hi News) Another effort aims to remove a requirement in a law passed earlier this year that restricted disposal of plastic pellets to facilities with permits for hazardous waste. (Sum & Substance)
💰 The state’s budget for next year was finalized and sent to the governor’s desk for approval. As we covered in previous editions (April 2, April 7, April 10, April 23) lawmakers cut a wide range of programs, particularly state health care assistance, in order to comply with state constitutional limits on government spending. The final bill spared some programs from planned cuts and also included tweaks to funding for other programs. (Colorado Sun)
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Something Good
🥾 Outdoors enthusiasts now have more public lands to play on near Red Rocks, after Jefferson County acquired a parcel last week that expands Matthews/Winters Park. I hike and run all the time at Red Rocks and Matthews/Winters, so I’m especially excited that officials are planning to add a new trail to the area. The whole park is pretty steep and rocky, which will make the new trail challenging to build – and fun to climb!