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Second Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SUNSET REVIEW OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMISSION

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Date Feb 26, 2026       Location Old State Library

Sunset Review of Public Utilities Comission - Committee Discussion Only
10:31:59 PM  
Jennifer Berman, Office of Legislative Legal Services, provided an overview of the draft bill (Attachment R).
10:38:27 PM  
The Department of Regulatory Authorities (DORA) provided an overview of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The DORA 2025 Sunset Review report of the PUC can be found here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f3MySmG5Ap16W85kZIuKJwf_Y37JE2Jf/view

From DORA, the following individuals provided information:
Saul Larsen, representing Colorado Office of Policy, Research, and Regulatory Reform (COPRRR)/DORA, was available to answer committee questions. Brian Tobias, representing COPRRR/DORA, was available to answer committee questions.  Jennifer Lockwood, representing COPRRR/DORA, was available to answer committee questions. Vivienne Belmont, representing Sunset Analyst - COPRRR, DORA, was available to answer committee questions.
10:40:57 PM  
DORA started with information on the PUC from Mr. Larson. Mr. Tobias continued with information on the first two recommendations. Mr. Larson describes the third recommendation. Mr. Tobias continued with information on recommendations four through six.
10:51:33 PM  
Ms. Lockwood continued with recommendations seven through fifteen.
10:57:17 PM  
Ms. Belmont and Mr. Larson reviewed the remaining recommendations.
11:04:35 PM  
The committee asked DORA questions.
11:05:09 PM  
Rebecca White, representing the PUC, was available to answer committee questions. Director White responded to questions from the committee.
11:05:43 PM  
Robert Kenney, representing Xcel Energy, was available to answer committee questions. Mr. Will Toor, representing Colorado Energy Office, was available to answer committee questions. Joseph Pereira, representing DORA Utility Consumer Advocate, was available to answer committee questions. The panel, along with Director White, answered questions from the committee.
11:19:56 PM  
Nate Bernstein, representing Climate Jobs Colorado, was available to answer committee questions. Sara Blackhurst, representing Action Colorado, was available to answer committee questions. Heidi Leathwood, representing 350 Colorado, was available to answer committee questions. Carolyn Elam, representing City of Boulder, was available to answer committee questions. Ms. Clare Valentine, representing Western Resource Advocates, was available to answer committee questions. Ms. Lauren Swain, representing PSR Colorado, was available to answer committee questions. Anita Seitz, representing Colorado Communities for Climate Action, was available to answer committee questions.
11:38:29 PM  
Carl Smith, representing SMART-Transportation division, was available to answer committee questions. Mr. Corey Blair, representing themself, was available to answer committee questions. Dr. Sara Carpenter, representing Health Air and Water Colorado, was available to answer committee questions. Tim Karfs, representing City of Aspen, was available to answer committee questions. Courtney Fieldman, representing Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP), was available to answer committee questions.

Additional written testimony is included as Attachment S.
11:50:51 PM  
Ms. Berman, reviewed Amendment 1 LLS No. 26-0365.01 (Attachment T).

11:51:36 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment 1 LLS No. 26-0365.01
Moved Valdez
Seconded Velasco
Goldstein
Gonzalez R.
Jackson
Joseph
Paschal
Rutinel
Slaugh
Smith
Soper Excused
Willford
Woog
Velasco
Valdez
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection

11:53:42 PM
 Motion Public Utilities Commission Bill as Amended
Moved Velasco
Seconded Willford
Goldstein Yes
Gonzalez R. No
Jackson Yes
Joseph Yes
Paschal Yes
Rutinel Yes
Slaugh No
Smith Yes
Soper Excused
Willford Yes
Woog No
Velasco Yes
Valdez Yes
YES: 9   NO: 3   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
11:53:44 PM  
The co-prime sponsors will be Representative Willford and Duran. Co-sponsors will be Representatives Goldsten, Velasco, Paschal, Smith, and Joseph.