Colorado o cials seek comments on Xcel Energy rate hike proposal

BY ERIC GALATAS PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE

Coloradans can now submit comments on Xcel Energy’s proposal to increase base rates for electricity.

Bill Levis, an AARP Colorado volunteer and former director of the Colorado O ce of Consumer Counsel, charged with protecting consumers, said Xcel has maintained robust pro ts while hiking utility bills year after year, a practice he calls “pancaking,” which stacks costs onto customers.

He argued many Coloradans trying to get by on Social Security cannot a ord additional rate increases.

“And this is a huge impact on them,” Levis pointed out. “We have found that utilities can take up between 10% and 30% of the income of seniors. And that’s really hard to take.”

Xcel has reported the cost of electricity increased by just under 5% from the last quarter of 2022,