Colorado utilities commission approves electric rate increase

(The Center Square) – Another rate increase for electricity is headed to Colorado, with a similar proposal for gas utilities under consideration.

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission approved a $157 million revenue hike for utilities provider Xcel Energy Wednesday morning amid public opposition, with a potential additional $123 million revenue increase under consideration for gas utilities.

“This is a government-created monopoly. It’s not your typical private company where people can just go elsewhere if the company isn’t delivering or continues rate increases,” said Angel Merlos, strategic director for LIBRE Colorado, a Latino political action group that favors limited government. Merlos made the comments during a Center Square interview.

Xcel Energy is one of two for-profit electric utilities in Colorado. They provide electricity to Coloradans alongside 28 municipal utilities and 22 rural cooperatives, largely without competition, according to the Read Entire Article