Title
Review of Draft Decision and Order and Draft Resolution Accepting the Conclusions and Recommendations of the Staff of Colorado Springs Utilities Concerning the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 Standards Amending the Federal Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act
Presenter:
Travas Deal, Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Springs Utilities
Tristan Gearhart, Chief Planning and Finance Officer, Colorado Springs Utilities
David Beckett, Senior Attorney, City Attorney’s Office - Utilities Division
Summary:
The City Attorney’s Office - Utilities Division will present a Decision and Order and Resolution for Colorado Springs Utilities’ 2022 Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) Proceeding Filing based upon the October 14, 2025, public hearing held for Colorado Springs Utilities’ 2022 PURPA Proceeding Filing filed on September 9, 2025.
Background:
By Resolution No. 180-22, dated November 8, 2022, City Council opened a proceeding to consider two new standards of PURPA. The two items relate to demand response/demand flexibility and electric vehicle charging rates. City Council directed the Staff of Utilities to evaluate the new standards and bring the matter back to City Council for a decision. The Staff of Utilities has compiled the relevant information.
On September 9, 2025, Colorado Springs Utilities filed the 2026 Rate Case Filing, including a resolution and all supporting documentation for the 2022 PURPA Proceeding Filing proposed changes. The 2026 Rate Case Filing supporting documentation contains a summary of the information the Staff of Utilities compiled. It also contains the Staff of Utilities’ recommendation not to separately adopt the two new PURPA standards added to PURPA by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021. Utilities filed supplemental information to the 2026 Rate Case on October 1, 2025, and October 9, 2025.
In accordance with the City Code of the City of Colorado Springs § 12.1.108, copies of the filing were available for public inspection in the City Clerk office beginning on September 9, 2025. Utilities filed supplemental information to the 2026 Rate Case on October 1, 2025, and October 9, 2025. Notices of the proposed recommendations were provided by publication in The Gazette on September 11, 2025, and October 3, 2025. The 2026 Rate Case Filing was also posted on the Colorado Springs Utilities’ website at www.csu.org, and electronic and paper copies were provided to City Council members.
The draft Decision and Order summarizes Colorado Springs Utilities’ 2022 PURPA Proceeding Filing and the record of the public hearing held on October 14, 2025. The Decision and Order also contains City Council’s initial directions at that public hearing regarding the 2022 PURPA Proceeding Filing. The final Decision and Order and final Resolution presented for approval by City Council at the October 28, 2025, meeting includes any City Council directed revisions from the October 27, 2025, Work Session meeting.
Previous Council Action:
On November 8, 2022, City Council opened a proceeding to consider the two new PURPA standards. City Council held a public hearing on October 14, 2025, regarding Colorado Springs Utilities’ 2022 PURPA Filing filed on September 9, 2025.
Financial Implications:
The Decision and Order and the Resolution accept the conclusion not to separately adopt the two new PURPA standards added to PURPA by the IIJA of 2021 for the 2022 PURPA Proceeding Filing portion of the 2026 Rate Case filing.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
Public hearing held on October 14, 2025.
Alternatives:
N/A
Proposed Motion:
Move approval of the Resolution.
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A