• New environmental and reliability mandates
  Federal and state regulations require us to install emissions control equipment at our coal-fired power plants by 2016.  The cost using conventional emissions scrubbers would be more than $300 million.  Additional investments are required to comply with more stringent NERC (North American Reliability Corporation) reliability guidelines
• Maintaining an aging utilities system
  Many of our community’s pipes, plants and wires are nearing the end of their useful lives and must be replaced or overhauled.  Without continued expenditures on maintenance, the reliable energy and water service you’ve come to expect would not be possible.
• SDS: Investing in our community’s future
  The Southern Delivery System will benefit all water customers and is critical for our community’s future.  The State demographer projects the population of El Paso County to increase 1.9% each year over the next 30 years – or from 622,565 people in 2010 to 981,394 by 2040. Our population will increase through infill, increased density or other development. There are approx. 22,000 acres of undeveloped land in Colorado Springs aside from the 18,000 acres of Banning Lewis Ranch land that are in question.  SDS will also provide a backup to our existing aging water delivery system and help protect our community from drought.
• Fuel costs
  Coal, natural gas and purchased power costs are projected to rise in 2012. Changes to fuel costs, up or down, are passed along to customers, dollar-for-dollar.

• Reducing payments to third party power providers
  The recent purchase of the Front Range Power Plant enables Colorado Springs Utilities to generate more of our own power and eliminate power capacity payments to the previous owners. The savings are being passed along to customers through reduced Electric Capacity Payments.
• Using new technologies.
  We’re installing new emissions control technology at the Drake Power Plant. Developed by a local company, the new equipment reduces sulfur dioxide emissions by more than 90 percent. The new device will reduce the cost of complying with new environmental regulations. We need to begin investing in this technology in 2012 to be in full compliance when the new regulations are in place.
• Prioritizing critical projects.
  Projects are prioritized based on their impact to system reliability and the safety of our customers and employees. We are only doing work that’s absolutely necessary.

If you need help paying your bill
Depending on your situation, you may qualify for financial aid.  Whether it’s our customer-supported Project COPE or our partnership with state and federal agencies like LEAP and HEAP, we can help you manage your utilities bills. For additional information and referral services, call 2-1-1.

1. Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower in the winter.
2. Turn off lights and electronics in empty rooms.
3. Replace old light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs.
4. Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry.
5. Open window coverings on sunny days to let in the sun's warmth. Close them at night to keep the cold air out.
6. Check toilets, water faucets and pipes for leaks.
7. Install a low-flow shower head.
8. Take shorter showers.
9. Set your water heater temperatures no higher than 120 degrees.
10. Seal leaks and cracks, especially around windows and doors.