PUC responds to Polis’ call for utility relief

Searching for answers

BY JOSHUA PERRY THE COLORADO SUN

Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission on Feb. 8 discussed addressing bill price hikes in response to Gov. Jared Polis’s utility cost-reduction directive, but it isn’t clear what the rst steps will be.

Chairman Eric Blank said that the PUC has been tasked with a wide range of objectives to ease an a ordability crisis that made consumers’ utility bills 52% higher on average in December. Some consumers saw their bills double or even triple.

“Among other things, the governor has asked us to identify ways to support customers in the most dire circumstances, improve access to and the capacity of the bill assistance program, nd ways to incentivize utilities to reduce customer costs, analyze approaches for limiting bill spikes, and to expand public engagement on these issues before the end PUC,” he said.

Blank said he didn’t know how the PUC would take action on this directive right now, but they would continue addressing a ordability in the coming weeks.

One way the PUC can make progress is driving down base rates, Commissioner Megan Gilman said. Under the current rules, a utility seeking to add new infrastructure, such as transmission lines or a power plant, must rst convince

PUC regulators that it is necessary. If PUC agrees, it issues a certi cate of public convenience and necessity to approve the request.

Once the project is in operation, the cost of the investment is passed on to consumers through an increase in base utility rates. PUC also has the power to set a return on investment rate, which determines the pro t that utility companies get from these investments. at ROI rate can contribute to higher prices as well.

Base rates have been increasing for years. Higher base rates make periods of extreme price pressure — usually resulting from high fuel costs or unusually cold weather condi-

1-877-328-1512 tions — even worse. e PUC can’t control those factors, but they can drive base rates down in the long run by limiting unnecessary investments by utility companies, Gilman said.

“What are we doing to really try to ensure that rate-payers are protected in the long run and (ensure) that those utility investments that end up being repaid by rate-payers are really the best use of that money, and the best option available?” she said.

Blank said that managing base rates will be part of the discussion on a ordability moving forward. Later at the meeting, the commission also approved updates to its policy for service disconnection reporting, which now will include data on areas with the highest proportions of disconnections in order to identify geographic disparities in access to utility services.

Additionally, they made plans to meet with assistance program coordinators and utility companies to improve the e ectiveness and accessibility of low-income quali ed programs.

Access to sources of assistance like the Percentage of Income Payment Program, which limits utility costs for low income families to up to 6% of their monthly income, must be improved, according to Gilman. e PUC has taken some steps already to make its process open and easy to understand, she said, but there’s still much room for growth when it comes to working in a mode that engages the public on addressing long-term a ordability moving forward.

“ is is a massive issue, to take this agency and all of the sudden try to humanize, try to improve accessibility, try to improve language access, try to improve these opportunities,” Gilman said. “By no means do we have it all gured out.” is story is from e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun.com. e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.

Lore is de ned as the knowledge gained through tradition or anecdote passed down through the ages, generation to generation. e lore of plants has long been an integral part of humanity in uencing our religion, medicinal remedies, the food we eat and even our behaviors. Our relationship with plants is primal. Our pre-scienti c intuitions, suspicions, hopes, fears and desires involve plants as tools to ensure survival and good fortune.

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Can you recall lore passed down to you by an older family member or trusted teacher like, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” or “knock on wood?” e rst referring to a good health practice, and the second to a superstition.

Speaking of wood, elderberry (Sambucus spp.) lore stories describe this woody plant as having properties of protection from witches. Early European stories describe cutting the wood of elderberry plants or crafting an infant’s crib made from its wood as unlucky. According to Brothers Grimm fairy tales, it is wise to keep a bouquet of elder owers picked in midsummer on hand in case a devil wanders by.

Burdock (Saponaria o cinalis) — sometimes called soaproot — was a favorite herb of Venus and, therefore, useful in love matters. A love charm prescribes to pick a burr o a burdock plant and name it after the one you love or fancy. en, throw it against your clothing and if it sticks, the object of your a ection feels the same as you. If it does not stick, the person does not share your a ection.

Mullein (Verbascum spp.) is a commonly found plant in Denver that comes from the Greek word ego, meaning “set on re.”

Accounts of the plant describe it as used as a wick to put into lamps to burn for light — the leaves were rolled and dried and used as wicks for oil lamps and candles. Later Europeans would dip mullein stalks in beef fat and burn them to frighten o evil spirits, assigning a common name of Aaron’s Rod who used a long sta in the Book of Exodus to overcome Pharaoh’s evil sorcerers.

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) tales are those of prosperity. Tales of nding goldenrod in the wild is a sign that buried treasure lay beneath. If it were to grow by a house door, then the inhabitants could expect great fortune.

Artemisia species, or mugwort, have been used for its medicinal purposes through the centuries and all over the world. Herbalists claim that artemisia species were an excellent comfort for the brain. Crushing its leaves and inhaling its aromatic fragrance is said to have a calming e ect.

One of my personal plant lore stories comes from growing up in Ohio exploring the woods with other children. I learned Queens Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota) was picked to adorn the hair of women in the “olden days,” made popular by Queen Anne. Women also collected these owers on their wedding day to be sewed onto their dress for extra beauty and embellishment as lace.

Legals

that an election will be held on the 2nd day of May, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, two (2) directors will be elected to serve 4-year terms and one (1) Director will be elected to serve a 2-year term. Eligible electors of the Clearwater Metropolitan District interested in serving on the board of directors may obtain a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form from the District Designated Election Official (DEO):

Kathryn T. James Folkestad Fazekas Barrick & Patoile, PC. 18 South Wilcox Street. Suite 200 Castle Rock, Colorado 80104 (303) 688-3045 days before the election).

The Office of the DEO is open on the following days: Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The deadline to submit a Self-Nomination and Acceptance is close of business on February 24, 2023 (not less than 67 days before the election).

If the DEO determines that a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form is not sufficient, the eligible elector who submitted the form may amend the form once, at any time, prior to 3:00 p.m. on the day of the deadline.

Affidavit of Intent To Be A Write-In-Candidate forms must be submitted to the office of the designated election official by the close of business on February 27, 2023 (the sixty-fourth day before the election).

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, an application for a mail-in ballot shall be filed with the designated election official no later than the close of business on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

NORTH PINES METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

/s/ Kathryn T. James Designated

If the DEO determines that a Self-Nomination and Acceptance form is not sufficient, the eligible elector who submitted the form may amend the form once, at any time, prior to 3:00 p.m. on the day of the deadline. Affidavit of Intent To Be A Write-In-Candidate forms must be submitted to the office of the designated election official by the close of business on February 27, 2023 (the sixty-fourth day before the election).

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, an application for a mail-in ballot shall be filed with the designated election official no later than the close of business on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

CLEARWATER METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

/s/ Kathryn T. James Designated Election Official Signature

IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION FOR A RULE 702.B FINANCIAL ASSURANCE PLAN, ADAMS, ARAPAHOE, BOULDER, BROOMFIELD, ELBERT, HUERFANO, LARIMER AND WELD COUNTIES, AND THE MUNICIPALITIES OF AURORA, BERTHOUD, BOULDER, BROOMFIELD, BRIGHTON, DACONO, ERIE, EVANS, FIRESTONE, FORT LUPTON, FREDERICK, GILCREST, GREELEY, GROVER, HUDSON, KERSEY, LAFAYETTE, LOCHBUIE, LONGMONT, MEAD, MILLIKEN, NORTHGLENN, SEVERANCE, THORNTON, WESTMINSTER, AND WINDSOR, COLORADO )

CAUSE NO. 1 DOCKET NO. 221100285

TYPE: FINANCIAL ASSURANCE PLAN

NOTICE OF HEARING

Civitas Resources, Inc. (Operator No. 200642) (“Applicant”) filed an Application for a Rule 702.b Financial Assurance Plan. This Notice was sent to you because the Applicant believes you are an interested party entitled to notice pursuant to Rule 504.b.(10).

DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION OF HEARING

(Subject to change)

The Commission will hold a hearing only on the above-referenced docket number at the following date, time, and location:

Date: April 12, 2023

Time:9:00 a.m.

Place:Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission

The Chancery Building 1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 801 Denver, CO 80203

PETITIONS

DEADLINE FOR PETITIONS BY AFFECTED

PERSONS: March 13, 2023

Any interested party who wishes to participate formally must file a written petition with the Commission no later than the deadline provided above.

Please see Commission Rule 507 at https:// cogcc.state.co.us, under “Regulation,” then select “Rules.” Please note that, under Commission Rule 510.l, the deadline for petitions may only be continued for good cause, even if the hearing is continued beyond the date that is stated above. Pursuant to Commission Rule 507, if you do not file a proper petition, the Hearing Officer will not know that you wish to formally participate in this matter and the date and time of the hearing may change without additional notice to you. Parties wishing to file a petition must register online at https://oitco.hylandcloud.com/DNRCOGExternalAccess/Account/Login.aspx and select “Request Access to Site.” Please refer to our “eFiling Users Guidebook” at http://cogcc/documents/reg/Hearings/External_ Efiling_System_Handbook_December_2021_Final.pdf for more information.

Any Affected Person who files a petition must be able to participate in a prehearing conference during the week of March 13, 2023, if a prehearing conference is requested by the Applicant or by any person who has filed a petition.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For more information, you may review the Application, which was sent to you with this Notice. You may also contact the Applicant at the phone number or email address listed below.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if any party requires special accommodations as a result of a disability for this hearing, please contact Margaret Humecki at Cogcc. Hearings_Unit@state.co.us, prior to the hearing and arrangements will be made.

OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

By: Mimi C. Larsen, Commission Secretary

Dated: January 31, 2023

Civitas Resources, Inc. c/o Julia E. Rhine 410 Seventeenth Street, Suite 2200 Denver, CO 80202 Phone: 303-223-1100

Fax: 303-223-1111

Email: jrhine@bhfs.com

Legal Notice No. 24951

First Publication: February 16, 2023

Last Publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Elbert County News

Telecommunications

Public Notice

Commnet Four Corners proposes the construction of a 194-ft AGL self-support communication site located at CO HWY Rt 86, Kiowa, CO. The self-support tower is to be located at latitude 39-20-17.10 N and longitude 104-25-58.47 W. Interested persons may raise environmental concerns about the proposed structure by filing a Request for Environment Review with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC strongly encourages interested parties to file Requests for Environmental Review online, and instructions for making such filings can be found at http://www.fcc.gov/asr/environmentalrequest. The proposed communications site can be identified by FCC Form 854 File Number A1235927 and interested persons may review the application by going to www.fcc.gov/asr/applications and entering the FCC Form 854 File Number A1235927. The mailing address for interested parties that would prefer to file a Request for Environmental Review by paper copy is as follows; FCC Request for Environmental Review, Attn: Ramon Williams, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554.

Legal Notice No. 24952

First Publication: February 16, 2023

Last Publication: February 16, 2023

Publisher: Elbert County News

Notice to Creditors

Public Notice

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Joseph Kim Neff, Deceased Case Number: 2023PR30004

All persons having claims against the abovenamed estate are required to present them to the personal representative or to the District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before June 9, 2023, or the claims may be forever barred.

/s/ David F. Steinhoff

David F. Steinhoff, #9980 o/b/o Estate of Joseph Kim Neff 750 W. Hampden Ave. Ste 505 Englewood, CO 80110

Legal Notice No. 24949

First Publication: February

CO 80210

Legal Notice No. 24946

First Publication: February 9, 2023

Last Publication: February 23, 2023 Publisher: Elbert County News