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Colorado Lawmakers Weigh Future of Public Utilities Commission
Decision could impact clean air, water, and energy costs for residents
Mar. 23, 2026 at 6:14am
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Colorado lawmakers are considering whether to reauthorize the state's Public Utilities Commission, which regulates energy, water, and other utilities. Advocates argue the commission plays a crucial role in promoting clean energy and protecting vulnerable communities from pollution, but past decisions have also favored the interests of investor-owned utilities over the public.
Why it matters
The Public Utilities Commission's decisions have a direct impact on air quality, water quality, and energy costs for Colorado residents, especially in communities like Pueblo and Commerce City that already face higher levels of pollution and health issues. Reauthorizing the commission with a mandate to prioritize clean energy and environmental justice could help the state meet its renewable energy goals while also protecting vulnerable populations.
The details
The Public Utilities Commission is set to terminate on September 1 unless the state legislature votes to reauthorize it. Legislation has been introduced that would extend the commission's mandate until 2037 and direct it to shift utilities away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy sources like wind and solar. Advocates argue this would not only help Colorado meet its 100% renewable energy goal for electricity by 2040, but also promote electrification in homes and businesses to further reduce emissions.
- The Public Utilities Commission is set to terminate on September 1, 2026 unless reauthorized by the legislature.
- Legislation to reauthorize the commission until 2037 has been introduced in the current legislative session.
The players
Jamie Valdez
Colorado transportation and energy policy advocate for the group GreenLatinos.
Renee Chacon
Cofounder of the group Womxn from the Mountain.
What they’re saying
“Pueblo already has increased rates of asthma, COPD and cardiovascular disease when compared with state averages, and so we really need to protect our clean air, because without those protections it won't stay clean for long.”
— Jamie Valdez, Colorado transportation and energy policy advocate for GreenLatinos
“How are we looking to protect those that are most vulnerable? And how are we not only just meeting our goals but modernizing grids to be an infrastructure that can supply generations for the next decades?”
— Renee Chacon, Cofounder of Womxn from the Mountain
What’s next
The Colorado legislature will vote on the bill to reauthorize the Public Utilities Commission before the current commission's sunset date of September 1, 2026.
The takeaway
The future of Colorado's Public Utilities Commission is a high-stakes decision that will impact the state's progress on clean energy, air quality, and environmental justice. Reauthorizing the commission with a mandate to prioritize these issues could help protect vulnerable communities and set the state up for a more sustainable energy future.
