Low utility bills help keep cost of living down in Colorado Springs
One of the largest contributors to our community's lower cost of living is utility bills, which are 10.2 percent lower than the national average and among the lowest in Colorado. The data is based on the recently-released 2011 ACCRA Cost of Living Index.
ACCRA Cost of Living Index for Colorado Springs (National average = 100)
| Housing |
89.1 |
| Utilities |
89.8 |
| Misc. goods and services |
93.1 |
| Grocery items |
94.0 |
| Transportation |
96.8 |
| Health Care |
102.5 |
| Composite (total) |
92.5 |
We keep our electric rates low through efficient operations and by generating most of the electricity for the community at its local power plants. A proactive hedging program, long-term contracts and use of underground storage help keep natural gas rates low and relatively stable.
The ACCRA Cost of Living Index is produced by the Council for Community and Economic Research, a nonprofit research group based in Arlington, Va. Learn more at
www.coli.org.
Proposed development charge changes
Colorado Springs Utilities is proposing changes to the method used for calculating the development charge applicable to large commercial meters attaching to its water system.
Rate case details.
Approved 2012 rate changes
Weather across the country has been warmer than usual, reducing natural gas demand and the price paid by utilities. As a not-for-profit organization, we set rates only high enough to cover expenses, so we are able to pass along the savings to you. Effective Feb. 1, the typical residential bill will decrease by $1.35 per month based on winter usage.
City Council has approved electric and natural gas rate changes to fund regulatory, safety and reliability requirements. The changes will increase the typical residential utilities bill by 1.7 percent, or $3.27 per month effective Jan. 1.
More details here.
Water leak adjustment rateEach year more than 300 customers inform us about a large water leak resulting in a high water bill. Water leaks on the customer’s property are the responsibility of the customer. However we know that unexpectedly high bills can create a difficult situation for people. In March 2011, we asked City Council to approve a pilot adjustment rate to assist customers with high bills due to water leaks. The pilot went in effect April 1, 2011.
Base rates vs. Cost adjustments
- Base rates reflect the costs associated with producing and delivering each service to customers. Base rates pay for the operation and maintenance of power plants, water collection and distribution, wastewater treatment, and more. The physical things you see, i.e. poles, wires, pipes, are financed through base rates.
- Cost adjustments only apply to electric and natural gas service. Because the national markets for natural gas and electricity are volatile and uncontrollable, we use cost adjustments to compensate for increases and decreases in coal, natural gas and electric market rates. Natural gas cost adjustments directly reflect the costs we are paying to serve our customers with natural gas for furnaces, water heaters, ovens and so forth. Because natural gas is a source of electric production, electric cost adjustments are also affected by fluctuations in natural gas costs. Changes to the cost adjustments, which can be made monthly, directly reflect costs that we are paying. Ee do not profit from increases to the adjustments.
Rate schedule
The vast majority of residential customers fall into the general residential price category. However, depending on your utility use, you may qualify for more than one schedule. Upon request, we will evaluate your utilities use to determine your qualifications, including which schedule would be most advantageous for you. Any change to another applicable rate will be applied only to services used after your request is processed. Our residential rate sheet (PDF) provides a summary of the most frequently used schedules available.