We are proposing a decrease to electric and natural gas fuel rates, which would lower the average residential customer’s monthly bill by $9.72, if approved.
The proposed decrease reflects lower forecasted natural gas prices in 2026 and was presented at the March 18 Utilities Board meeting. City Council will vote on the proposal at its regular meeting on March 24. If approved, the new rates would take effect April 1.
What customers can expect
For the average residential customer, the combined electric and natural gas fuel rate adjustment would result in a monthly bill decrease of approximately $9.72.
Proposed fuel rate decreases include:
Electric cost adjustment*
- Residential: −$2.10 (1.9% decrease)
- Commercial: −$18.00 (2.6% decrease)
- Industrial: −$1,293.20 (3.1% decrease)
Natural gas cost adjustment*
- Residential: −$7.62 (15.2% decrease)
- Commercial: −$157.35 (20.4% decrease)
- Industrial: −$1,573.56 (21.0% decrease)
*Assuming average electric and natural gas usage. Individual bill impacts vary based on weather, household energy use and home efficiency.
The last fuel rate change occurred in July 2025, when the average residential monthly bill increased by about $0.25.
Why fuel rates are decreasing
Fuel rates—also known as cost adjustments—are directly tied to the cost of fuel and can increase or decrease quarterly. As a nonprofit, community‑owned utility, we pass fuel cost changes directly to customers (typically up to four times a year including changes in January, April, July and October).
To help protect customers from market volatility, we purchase natural gas when demand and prices are lower, store supply in leased underground storage and use long‑range planning tools to lock in portions of supply at more stable prices. These strategies help keep rates competitive with other Front Range utilities and allow customers to benefit when fuel costs decline.
Help managing energy bills
We offer programs to help customers manage energy costs:
- Budget Billing helps spread energy costs more evenly throughout the year.
- Project COPE provides year‑round utility assistance. In 2025, 2,394 local families received $1,534,053 in assistance.
- LEAP provides winter utility assistance, available Nov. 1 through April 30. So far, $1.6 million in assistance has been provided to our customers.
