Energy and Utilities
Colorado consumers are efficient energy users, with Colorado ranking 39th of the 50 U.S. states in per capita energy consumption. Per capita energy expenditures of $2,096 are 16% below the national average of $2,433, placing Colorado 46th among the 50 states.
Xcel Energy is the main provider of electricity and natural gas for the Denver metropolitan area and much of the Front Range region. Moreover, Xcel Energy is moving forward with plans to build a new coal-fired plant in Pueblo. The project is part of the company's least-cost resource plan that the Colorado Public Utilities Commission approved in December 2004, giving the most cost-effective mix of resources to meet customers' electric needs during the next decade. The project is estimated to cost about $1.3 billion, resulting in overall lower SO2 and NOx emissions.
A significant number of municipalities in Colorado operate their own utilities. Most provide electric only, or gas only, but Colorado Springs and Fort Morgan provide both. There are also 26 rural electric associations (REAs) operating in rural areas of the state.
The Public Utilities Commission regulates utilities. For more information, visit their website at www.dora.state.co.us/puc/index.htm
Natural Gas Prices
- Commercial users - Colorado ranks 4th lowest in the country, at $7.48 per thousand cubic feet, 21% below the US average of $9.41 per thousand cubic feet.
- Residential customers - Colorado ranks 3rd lowest in average price of natural gas - $8.47 per thousand cubic feet, almost 20% below the national average of $10.75.
Electricity Prices
- The average monthly electric bill for Colorado residential customers was $55.38 in 2004 (latest reported by Department of Energy), ranking 4th lowest nationally, and 42% below the national average of $81.42.
- Colorado ranked 10th lowest for commercial users, with average monthly electric bills of $326, 35% lower than the national average of $503.
Source: State Rankings 2006, Morgan-Quitno Publishing
Water
The primary source of the states water supply comes from five major river basins - the Platte, Arkansas, Rio Grande, Upper Colorado (includes Yampa, White and Green Rivers) and the Lower Colorado (includes Gunnison, San Juan and Dolores Rivers). Ground water is also an important resource, supplying 18% of the state's drinking water. Quality of drinking water is excellent in Colorado; 99% of all drinking water systems are in full compliance with all federal drinking water standards.
Telecommunications
The economic boom of the 1990's created an array of opportunities for both consumers and the telecommunications industry in the State of Colorado. Even after the devastating economic downturn that followed the bursting of the "tech bubble", which hobbled the industry throughout the country, Colorado remains a leader in telecommunications. Industry leaders such as Qwest Communications, and Level 3, maintain their company headquarters in the Denver metro region.
Qwest is the major provider of local telephone and data service in Colorado, but at least fourteen other providers, such as CenturyTel and Plains Cooperative, serve customers throughout Colorado. In addition, there are fifteen single exchange providers operating in Colorado. Long distance and wireless options are many, and competitively priced.
Statewide Multi-Use Network (MNT)
The MNT is a public-private partnership between the State of Colorado and Qwest to build a high-speed fiber-optic network for the state. The goal has been to bridge the digital divide and enable the same digital applications and services in rural counties as well as the metropolitan areas. The State has consolidated government agency functions and acted as an ¿anchor tenant¿ to help leverage development of telecommunications infrastructure in all regions of the state.
This project, now completed, includes 65 points of service (Aggregated Network Access Points throughout Colorado). Total state contribution was $23 million, with private investment of $60 million. For more information please visit their website at www.state.co.us/MNT
MNT Achievements
- Bridged the Digital Divide - Statewide fiber backbone implemented
- Economic Development for Rural Areas - Increased primary jobs in rural areas
- Backbone of e-government - Over 700 cities, counties, schools, libraries, hospitals and other non-profits are using the network
- Reduced costs - Equity pricing has been achieved, as has affordable Internet access across the state
