We typically propose a one-year budget and rate case. Because of the major capital needs, we presented a five-year rate case in 2024. The rate case includes increases across all four services for 2025-2029.
The base rate increases needed to support our five-year plan range from 4% to 9% for each individual service. Revenue from the base rates support the annual budget.
Projects to build, maintain and upgrade the pipes and wires in our large system are funded through base rates. We are currently in a period of historic demands and industry change, requiring further investment into our utility systems.
For more than 100 years, we've built and maintained about $5 billion of infrastructure to serve Colorado Springs. From 2025 to 2030, we expect to add another $4 billion in assets.
Customer bill impacts
In 2027, the total impact is estimated to be $16/month on a typical four-service residential bill, $75/month on commercial bills and $2,213/month on industrial bills.
The specific increases by service are a 6.5% increase to electric base rates, 4.0% increase to natural gas base rates, 6.5% increase to water base rates and 9.0% increase to wastewater base rates.
These examples are based on the following:
- Residential: 30 days of 700 kilowatts/hr of electric, 60 ccf (hundred cubic feet) of natural gas, 1,100 cf of water, 700 cf of wastewater for residential customers.
- Commercial: 30 days of 6,000 kilowatt/hr of electric, 1,240 ccf of natural gas, 3,000 cf of water, 3,000 cf of wastewater.
- Industrial: 30 days of 400,000 kilowatt/hr of electric and 1,000 kilowatt for electric, 12,400 ccf of natural gas, 50,000 cf for water, 50,000 for wastewater.
Customer assistance and programs
We understand these increases have a financial impact on our customers. We will continue to offer customer assistance programs, rebates and efficiency programs aimed at helping customers conserve and save on their bills.
Energy Wise electric rates includes lower rates during certain times of day, known as off-peak times. Customers can take advantage of these lower rates by shifting some of their usage to off-peak times.
