Colorado
Opinion: Colorado utility commission should not let Xcel Energy rush into a bad deal
The way Colorado pays for electricity is about to change.
Our state is preparing to join a new electricity market that will connect Colorado to an electrical grid that includes many other Western states. This raises a multibillion dollar question: Which electricity market will our leaders choose?
If we choose wisely, Colorado will secure cheaper, cleaner, more reliable energy for decades to come. But there is also a risk that Colorado will take a path that will mean higher electricity bills, less reliable energy for rural communities and missing out on big opportunities from a growing clean energy industry.
As the CEO of La Plata Electric Association and former Colorado state senator who spent 10 years working on Colorado energy policy, I am concerned about Xcel’s proposal at the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to rush into a bad deal for Coloradans who simply cannot afford higher energy bills; and there is no need to rush when there are better options on the table.
Four years ago, I co-sponsored Senate Bill 21-072, a bipartisan law designed to ensure that Coloradans benefit from efficiencies and cost savings provided by regional electricity markets by requiring all of the state’s electric utilities to join an organized wholesale market no later than 2030.
If done right, electricity markets deliver lower-cost electricity, improve grid reliability, increase access to clean energy resources, and reduce harmful emissions. But not all electricity markets are the same — different markets offer different benefits, and it’s up to Colorado’s energy leaders to conduct a thorough comparative analysis in order to get the best possible deal.
Colorado currently has several electricity market options to choose from, including Markets+ and the Extended Day-Ahead Market, or EDAM. Both allow trading electricity across utility service territories one day ahead, creating efficiencies compared to no trading because it allows utilities that have too much supply to provide this electricity to others that may have too little.
These day-ahead markets are upgrades from status quo, but ultimately a regional transmission organization, or RTO, is where the real benefits lie for ratepayers. A RTO can add significant efficiencies by coordinating not only electricity generation and use, but also the transmission needed to get that electricity from point A to point B.
Comparing a day ahead market to a RTO is like comparing a single-lane toll road to a four-lane interstate highway: they do similar things, but on a vastly different scale.
Xcel has indicated it isn’t ready to join an RTO just yet. Unfortunately, their choice for an alternative is Markets+, the most limited option available. It offers the fewest services, costs more in the short term and will take the longest to deliver meaningful benefits to Coloradans who want cheaper, cleaner energy.
EDAM would initially offer the same market services as Markets+, but is expected to be joined by more and larger utilities with better access to diverse clean energy resources. This is likely to lead to lower costs for Coloradans, as evidenced by a recent study released by Aurora Energy Research, which found savings between $4.2 million to $13.2 million per year for Colorado ratepayers if Xcel joined EDAM instead of Markets+. These results are consistent with similar studies around the West: a larger market with more diverse resources leads to lower costs.
Xcel has presented no evidence indicating that Markets+ is a better choice for Coloradans than the alternatives, and Xcel hasn’t provided a clear path to transition from Markets+ into another market that would offer the full suite of services available under an RTO.
This month, the Public Utilities Commission is hearing testimony regarding Xcel’s application to join Markets+. They should use this opportunity to slow things down and insist on a more thorough comparison of all available options to deliver the most affordable, sustainable and reliable electricity available.
A rush into Markets+, even when all indications suggest better options are available, risks making a bad deal and sticking Colorado families across the state with the bill for decades to come.
Chris Hansen, of Durango, is the CEO of La Plata Electric Association and a former member of the Colorado State Senate, where he specialized in Colorado energy policy.
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An investigation is underway after authorities found a body near a picnic area in western Colorado last weekend that appears to have been eaten by a bear.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office says the human remains were located on Sunday near the Wild Rose Picnic Area off Lands End Road on the Grand Mesa. Investigators say the remains were scavenged and scattered, and they believe the person was consumed by a bear and other wildlife.
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office is working to identify the person and officially determine their cause of death.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone who was in the area of the Wild Rose Campground between June 22 and July 5, 2026, and noticed anything suspicious to contact Investigator Jenna Reed at (970) 244-3274.
They added that Colorado Parks and Wildlife believes there is no threat to the community at this time.
The area is home to black bears, and the MCSO shared several guidelines for the community to prevent human-bear conflicts:
- Stay alert and together: Go with others when possible, keep children in sight and close by, and avoid using headphones so you can hear your surroundings.
- Food safety: Double-bag food, pack out all food and trash, and don’t burn scraps and trash in fire rings/grills or leave them behind.
- Pet safety: Keep dogs on a leash at all times or leave them at home; don’t force a bear to defend itself.
- Camping safety: Set up camps away from dense cover or natural food sources and do not cook or store food near/in a tent. Secure food in bear-resistant containers or suspend at least 10 feet above the ground and 10 feet away from any part of the tree.
- Know how to respond: Don’t approach bears; quietly move away. Never run, as it may trigger a chase response. If a bear approaches, stand your ground, wave your arms, and yell until it leaves. Stay with your group, use bear spray, and fight back aggressively if necessary.
- Bear spray: Carry bear spray and know how to use it correctly. It’s not repellent; don’t spray your tent, campsite, or belongings.
Damage assessments are still ongoing for homes and businesses affected by the Aspen Acres Fire in southern Colorado, but over 200 homes have been confirmed destroyed so far. The United Way of Southern Colorado is working to raise relief funds for those affected and says it’s making progress towards its fundraising goal.
In an update on Wednesday afternoon, Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero said they’ve assessed approximately 67% of the properties affected in the county. Authorities have confirmed the loss of 192 homes and four commercial structures so far and are working to contact property owners as quickly as possible.
Lucero urged everyone affected by the fire to use the survivor portal for more information on assistance.
Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith says they’ve lost approximately 83 homes so far, almost 2% of the county’s homes. The worst hit area is along the Highway 165 corridor, Smith added. He said that authorities don’t expect any new evacuation areas, but are not yet ready to release the existing evacuation orders.
Smith said a hotline is available during business hours for affected Custer County Residents to ask questions. He urged residents to contact them at (719) 467-0271 and advised they may need to leave a voicemail if the line is busy due to the high number of calls.
A flash flood watch is in effect for areas near the burn scar, which could affect nearby homes.
The President of the United Way of Southern Colorado, Shanna Farmer, said the organization is working to raise wildfire relief funds for those affected. Over the last few days, they have reached just over $417,000 of their $10 million goal.
“It has been incredible, the number of individuals and companies who have come out to support, to provide matches, and to provide innovative ways to raise those funds,” said Farmer. “And so, I encourage anyone who is willing to work with us on a corporate, business, or individual level to please reach out because it is going to take all of us to help rebuild.”
Farmer said that the community not only needs help with their immediate needs but also long-term support. She urged anyone interested in donating to visit their website.
The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office says anyone who has evacuated needs to contact the Disaster Assistance Center located at 29 Lehigh Ave. in Pueblo. The center is open between 9 a.m and 6 p.m. and provides multiple resources for those forced to evacuate.
Residents must also visit the center to obtain a re-entry pass, which will allow them to return home once evacuation orders have been lifted. A photo ID and proof of residency are required. Visitors can sign up online to reserve a place in line for faster service.
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