Commercial electricity and gas rates, energy market structure, regulations, and utility providers for property managers operating in Colorado.
Colorado has a regulated electricity market dominated by Xcel Energy, which serves the Front Range metro areas including Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins. Municipal utilities serve some areas. Commercial customers cannot choose their electricity supplier but can participate in Xcel's renewable energy programs and rate optimization options.
What this means for property managers:
In Colorado's regulated market, your utility provides both generation and distribution at rates set by the state public utility commission. While you cannot choose your electricity supplier, you can optimize costs through rate schedule analysis, demand management, and participation in utility efficiency programs.
Rates are set by the public utility commission. No supplier choice available.
Rising
Xcel Energy has filed for multiple rate increases to fund the transition from coal to renewable generation and grid infrastructure upgrades. Electric rates up 8% in 2025-2026.
Colorado has passed some of the most aggressive state-level building performance laws in the country. The Building Performance Standards bill (HB22-1362) establishes statewide energy performance requirements for commercial buildings over 50,000 sqft. Denver's Energize Denver ordinance requires benchmarking and sets building performance standards with compliance deadlines starting in 2024. The state targets 100% clean electricity by 2040.
See how Conduit automates utility management for commercial real estate portfolios in Colorado.
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