“” background image gradient

Annual operating budget

We develop our annual budget to meet system needs, provide value to our customers’ lives and support economic growth. As a community-owned utility, we are a nonprofit and do not make a profit on the rates we charge.  

Base rates support the annual budget and are designed to cover the cost to provide services. Base rates fund major projects, system improvements and maintenance to meet regulations, support customer needs and maintain service reliability.

Our proposed 2027 budget supports critical infrastructure investments across all four services, which are essential to maintaining reliability, meeting regulatory mandates and serving our growing community.

The 2027 budget is proposed at about $2 billion, a 10% decrease compared to 2026. This decrease is due to increased capital spending in 2026, that will likely return in 2028.

Budget drivers

The drivers of the budget fall into these primary categories:  

  • Reliability. System improvements or equipment required to operate the existing system reliably and resiliently.  
  • Regulatory. Required by local, state or federal law.  
  • Growth/capacity. Projects that increase capacity for population or system growth.

Our commitment to customers

These projects help us to maintain the reliability our customers have come to expect, while allowing us to support the city’s growth and meet regulations.

Five-year rate case

2027 will mark year three of our five-year rate case. We are in a period of historic demands and industry change. Currently, we have about $5 billion of infrastructure in our system that has been built and maintained over our 100-year history. We expect to add another $4 billion in assets by 2030. 

As a result, we must increase our budget to pay for these necessary projects. Despite these challenges, we believe this plan will keep rates competitive compared to other Front Range utilities.

Major capital projects

Below is a look at the major capital projects in each service area.

Wastewater System Expansion

Wastewater System Expansion

The Wastewater System Expansion Project will provide the wastewater backbone needed to serve customer growth in Colorado Springs.

More information More information
Continental-Hoosier System Project

Continental-Hoosier System Project

The goal of the Continental-Hoosier System Project is to improve the resiliency, redundancy and efficiency of this important part of our water system.

More information More information
Northern Monument Creek Interceptor Project

Northern Monument Creek Interceptor Project

The proposed Northern Monument Creek Interceptor would save money, improve reliability, plan for growth and ensure compliance with regulations.

More information More information
Central Bluffs Substation

Central Bluffs Substation

The Central Bluffs Substation project will modernize our infrastructure for sustainability, system resiliency and reliability.

More information More information
Kelker Substation Expansion Project

Kelker Substation Expansion Project

The Kelker substation expansion project addresses our plan to improve system reliability and expand resources to meet growing energy demands.

More information More information
Williams Creek Generating Station

Williams Creek Generating Station

This site will include 400 megawatts of natural gas-based generation that will help us reduce emissions, comply with state regulations and meet your ...

More information More information
Natural Gas Expansion Project

Natural Gas Expansion Project

The Natural Gas Expansion Project will upgrade pipelines to ensure safe, reliable natural gas supply in Colorado Springs.

More information More information
Horizon Utility Campus

Horizon Utility Campus

A location near the Colorado Springs Airport will soon feature 160 acres of resources to provide reliable and cost-effective energy for years to come.

More information More information
Fiber Network

Fiber Network

Colorado Springs will be one of the best-connected cities in the country, enabling the highest-speed internet connectivity for every home and ...

More information More information
Jackson Fuller Energy Storage Project

Jackson Fuller Energy Storage Project

The Jackson Fuller energy storage project helps us store excess energy for use during periods of low generation or high demand.

More information More information
Midway-Kelker Transmission Line Project

Midway-Kelker Transmission Line Project

We are upgrading this transmission line to strengthen our electric grid and ensure reliability as energy needs change.

More information More information

Related documents

“” PDF PDF

Investor presentation - July 2024

Download now Download now
“” PDF PDF

2026 Proposed Rate Case

Download now Download now
“” PDF PDF

2025 budget

Download now Download now
“” PDF PDF

Municipal Advisor Disclosure

Download now Download now
“” PDF PDF

2025 Official Statement

Download now Download now