Public Utilities Commission of Colorado Grants Variance to Public Service Company of Colorado

Strategic Insights -

The Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado has issued Decision No. R25-0576-I, granting a variance to Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) in the matter of the Commission's investigation into the costs of PSCo's gas utility infrastructure. The Commission opened this proceeding on November 14, 2024, to identify and investigate the cost causation of residential development and other development of PSCo's gas utility operations. After multiple requests for extensions, the Commission granted the Second Variance Motion, allowing PSCo to continue its efforts in gathering and submitting data to the Commission.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado issued Decision No. R25-0576-I, granting a variance to Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) in the matter of the Commission's investigation into the costs of PSCo's gas utility infrastructure.
  • The Commission found good cause to grant the Second Variance Motion, but expressed frustration with the Company's request for another extension of time.
  • PSCo was required to re-submit certain data, including project-specific throughput projections and cost of service and rates models, in compliance with Decision No. R25-0316-I.
  • The Commission ordered PSCo to provide the additional data by August 29, 2025, and to continue using commercially reasonable efforts to timely provide information to the Commission.
  • The Hearing Commissioner, Megan M. Gilman, expressed frustration with the Company's inability to meet deadlines and proposed rolling deadlines in the First Variance Motion.
  • The Commission's investigation is ongoing and aims to determine the extent to which new residential development and other development disproportionately necessitated large infrastructure investments.

Statistics:

  • 11/14/2024: The Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado opened this proceeding to identify and investigate the cost causation of residential development and other development of PSCo's gas utility operations.
  • 7/18/2025: PSCo filed its Second Variance Motion, requesting a permanent variance from certain provisions of Decision No. R25-0316-I.
  • 8/1/2025: PSCo submitted Supplemental Responses to the directives included in Paragraphs 18(a)(i), 18(a)(x), and 18(a)(xii) of Decision No. R25-0316-I for the Aspen Creek Project of the Discrete New Business Projects.
  • 8/29/2025: PSCo must provide additional data, including project-specific throughput projections and cost of service and rates models, in compliance with Decision No. R25-0316-I.

Sources:

  • Decision No. R25-0576-I, Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado, August 11, 2025
  • Decision No. R25-0316-I, Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado, April 23, 2025
  • Decision No. R25-0454-I, Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado, June 18, 2025
  • Senate Bill 23-291, Colorado General Assembly