Posted inNews, Politics and Government

Climate bills have drawn the most lobbying in Colorado’s 2022 legislative session

Efforts to address climate change are among the most lobbied measures at the Capitol this year as a host of businesses and nonprofits seek to pass, block or amend them. Five of the top 10 lobbied bills this year at the General Assembly address greenhouse gas emissions, according to a Colorado Sun analysis of lobbying […]

Posted inBusiness, Climate, Economy, Energy, Environment, Equity, News, Politics and Government

Xcel Energy rate hikes would raise utility bills up to $18 per month. And they’re not done yet.

Xcel Energy is seeking $950 million in natural gas and electricity rate increases that would raise the average residential utility bill $16.49 by the end of this year with the increase climbing to $18.32 by 2023. Three proposed rate hikes — one for electricity, one for natural gas and one to recoup money from a […]

Posted inBusiness, Climate, Economy, Energy, Environment, News

Coloradans starting to see double-digit hikes in their gas utility bills

Colorado consumers are seeing double-digit jumps in their gas utility bills this fall as providers pass on the cost of steep natural gas inflation, and the Public Utilities Commission and consumer advocates warn that a “stack” of other add-on charges are too much for customers. Rising gas charges will push the average Xcel consumer’s cost […]

Posted inBusiness, Climate, Energy, Environment, News

After collecting $610 million from Colorado customers, regulators say it’s time to end Xcel’s pipeline repair fee

What was supposed to be a quick way to raise money to address pipeline safety issues, a little add-on of about $3 a month for the average household, has lingered on Xcel Energy natural gas bills for a decade – but it may finally end. Xcel has since 2011 raised nearly $610 million, or three […]

Posted inBusiness, Climate, Energy, Environment, News

Xcel Energy needs a smarter, greener electric grid. But should Colorado customers foot the $344 million bill for it?

Xcel Energy is pushing for a record $344 million rate increase it says it needs to build a smarter, greener electric grid. But consumer advocates and state regulators are pushing back over the price tag. A major concern is that along with an earlier rate increase and other pending requests since the start of 2020, […]

Posted inHousing, News, Politics and Government

This senior property tax exemption has saved Colorado’s older homeowners millions. But it also has an equity problem.

Dian Feral has lived in the frame house on a corner lot in Denver’s Westwood neighborhood for more than 30 years since she bought it for $87,000 back when she worked the graveyard shift at the Keebler cookie and cracker plant. It was never what she’d call a good house, situated in what she describes […]

Posted inHousing, News

As Colorado’s older homeowners consider moving, a hot housing market often keeps them stuck where they are

When they bought their Highlands Ranch home in 1998, Kent and Yvonne Higgins and their children fit comfortably into the five-bedroom, multi-level house that was typical in the sprawling suburban development. But life’s milestones came and went, and kids grew up and struck out on their own. The couple paid off their mortgage and had […]

Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns

Opinion: More older Colorado Hispanics lack health insurance. Here’s how we can help change that for all Coloradans.

Latinos between the ages of 50 and 64 in Colorado lack health insurance at rates higher than any other group in the state. And that is extremely disheartening because all Coloradans should have the same access to affordable health care. However, recent policy changes can help Colorado Hispanics get the coverage they desperately need. But […]