Colorado § 40-2-106.5 - Transparency about electric and gas investor-owned utility regulatory filings - commission informational meetings - annual reports - summary of public comments in commission decisions.

§ 40-2-106.5. Transparency about electric and gas investor-owned utility regulatory filings - commission informational meetings - annual reports - summary of public comments in commission decisions.

(1) On or before January 31, 2027, and on or before each January 31 thereafter, an electric investor-owned utility, a gas investor-owned utility, or a combined electric and gas investor-owned utility shall file with the commission a summary of the utility's anticipated regulatory filings for the following calendar year. The commission shall make the utility's filings publicly available on its website.

(2) After an investor-owned utility files with the commission a summary of its anticipated regulatory filings pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the commission shall convene an informational meeting in February of the year following the date of the filing to discuss the anticipated regulatory proceedings.

(3) On or before March 31, 2027, and on or before each March 31 thereafter, the commission shall submit an annual report to the general assembly summarizing all major adjudicated cases and rule-makings that the commission engaged in during the previous year. The annual report must include:

(a) A description of major commission cases, as determined by the commission, and work in its utility, transportation, and pipeline safety industry sectors;

(b) A description of progress the commission achieved on implementing the equity goals set forth in section 40-2-108;

(c) A description of progress that the commission achieved on implementing the "best value" employment metrics, as described in section 40-2-129, and energy sector public works projects, as defined in section 24-92-303 (5)(a); and

(d) Data on the number of consumer complaints received and resolved by the commission and the number of those complaints that resulted in consumer refunds or bill adjustments.

(4) On and after September 1, 2026, the commission shall include in each decision that the commission reaches on a matter before the commission a summary of the public comments the commission received on the matter, including a summary of the volume of comments received; an overview of the advocated positions presented in the comments, including comments that specifically addressed equity issues and impacts to disproportionately impacted communities; and a clear explanation of how the commission considered the advocated positions in reaching its final decision on the matter. Public comments shall not be considered as part of the evidentiary record.

Source: L. 2026: Entire section added, (HB 26-1326), ch. 210, p. 1212, § 2, effective August 12.

Editor's note: Section 50(2) of chapter 210 (HB 26-1326), Session Laws of Colorado 2026, provides that the act adding this section applies to conduct occurring on or after August 12, 2026.