Just the facts

Because we are owned by the community,

• We are able to offer the convenience of four services: electricity, natural gas, water, and wastewater service.
• We are able to offer some of the lowest prices in the nation.
• Customers have a voice in decision making.
• We are actively involved in community activities and support community goals.

Customers

The service areas for our customers include the City of Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and many of the suburban residential areas surrounding the city. The military installations of Fort Carson Army Base (Fort Carson), Peterson Air Force Base (Peterson), and the United States Air Force Academy (Academy) receive water and electric service and gas supply and transportation. Peterson Air Force Base also receives wastewater treatment service.

Services

Electric System

The electric system provides retail service to metropolitan Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs and delivers special contract power to the Academy, Peterson and Fort Carson.  More than 90% of the population of El Paso County is directly or indirectly served by the electric system.

• Metered accounts
  • Residential: 183,125
  • Commercial: 23,338
  • Industrial: 309
  • Other (includes interservice and streetlights): 1,282
• Annual electric use: 4.4 billion kWh
• Service availability: 99.992% average
• Net generating capacity: 1,028 MW
• Peak summer day: 863 MW (August 2007)
• Peak winter day: 755 MW (December 2007)
• Fuel mix: 76% coal, 19% oil/gas, 5% hydro
• Overhead lines: 1,083 miles
• Underground lines: 2,349 miles
• Transmission substations: 10; distribution substations: 45

Electric Rates

Residential Service                             Standard Option

Supply charges                         -- per kWh $0.0269
Access and facilities charges      -- per day   $0.2534
                                               -- per kWh $0.0355
Electric cost adjustment             -- per kWh $(0.0033)*
Electric capacity charge             -- per kWh $0.0099

Small Commercial Service              General

Supply charges                         -- per kWh $0.0269
Access and facilities charges      -- per day $0.5010
                                               -- per kWh $0.0219
Electric cost adjustment             -- per kWh $(0.0033)*
Electric capacity charge             -- per kWh $0.0098

*As of June 1, 2008

Natural gas system

We operate a local distribution system supplying natural gas to customers in a 500 square mile service area.  In addition to the City, the service area includes Manitou Springs, the Academy, the northerly portion of Fort Carson and unincorporated portions of the County.

• Metered accounts
  • Residential: 168,517
  • Commercial: 15,291
  • Other (includes interservice): 118
• Annual natural gas use: 29.2 billion cubic feet @ 12.01 psia
• Peak demand: 213,203 MMBTU (January 2007)
• Natural gas pipe mains: 2,320 miles
• Number of service lines: 162,698

Natural Gas Rates

Residential service

The bills are the sum of:

Supply charges                             --per 100 cubic feet     $0.6034
Access and facilities charges          --per day                    $0.3142
                                                   --per 100 cubic feet     $0.1262
Gas cost adjustment                      --per 100 cubic feet     $(0.0000)*

Commercial service

The bills are the sum of:

Supply charges                             --per 100 cubic feet $0.6034
Access and facilities charges          --per day $0.6467
                                                   --per 100 cubic feet $0.1103
Gas cost adjustment                      --per 100 cubic feet $(0.0000)*

*As of Aug. 1, 2007

Water

The total amount of water delivered to our customers in 2007 was 25.5 billion gallons. The water system services more than 130,000 metered accounts.

• Metered accounts
  • Residential: 124,125
  • Commercial: 7,482
  • Other (includes interservice): 409
• Annual water use: 24.1 billion gallons
• Annual water quality report (PDF)
• Peak demand: 182,405,000 gallons (July 2001)
• Water mains: 1,780 miles
• Number of storage reservoirs: 25
• Number of treatment facilities: 7

Wastewater
The wastewater system provides service for the City of Colorado Springs and for other areas approved by the City Council. As of December 2007, Springs Utilities operates approximately 1,573 miles of sewer main.

• Number of customers: 
  • Residential: 121,509
  • Commercial: 6,721
  • Other (includes interservice): 40
• Annual wastewater treatment: 12.8 billion gallons
• Rated treatment capacity: 95 million gallons/day (MGD) (summer)
• Sewer mains: 1,609 miles
• Pump Stations: 17

Source: Aug. 2008 Official Statement; 2009 Annual Operating Plan

Customer Service

Call center

• 448-4800
• 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday

Service center

• 111 S. Cascade Ave.
• Walk-in: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Drive-up: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday

Emergency phone numbers

Call 448-4800 for:

• Natural gas (gas smell, damaged gas lines)
• Electricity (electricity off, downed power lines)
• Water (water leak, water pressure problem)
• Wastewater (sewer line back-up)

Call 9-1-1 for:

• Carbon monoxide or other emergency

Call 2-1-1 for other community resources and services

Other contact information

• Call Before You Dig: 8-1-1
• TDD (unit for speech or hearing impaired): 668-8156
• E-mail: askus@csu.org

Paying your bill

• You may pay your bill at one of our drop-box locations.
• Call the One Touch Instant Service at 448-4800 and select option 4 for specific locations.
• All online payments – credit card, debit card or electronic check – are handled through Western Union Speedpay. Online payments include a convenience fee from Western Union® Speedpay®. 
• Electronic Funds Transfer withdraws your payment from your checking or savings account. 
• We also offer Budget Billing which allows residential customers to pay the same amount on their utilities bill each month, which helps alleviate the effects of fluctuating energy prices by spreading costs evenly throughout the year.