Colorado electricity rates and bills
Homes in Colorado paid an average of 16.61¢ per kWh over the last 12 months (Sep 2025–Aug 2026), 7.9% below the US average of 18.04¢; 17.17¢ in August 2026 alone.1 The average residential bill was $103.30 a month in 2025, for 658 kWh.2
EIA monthly data through August 2026 (preliminary, released October 23, 2026); annual data for 2025 are final. Next monthly update expected November 24, 2026. Average revenue per kWh includes fixed charges and riders; it is not a tariff rate.
West region, Mountain division
Over the last 12 months, 61 of Colorado's 6 neighboring states had a lower residential price per kilowatt-hour, yet Colorado's 2025 average bill of $103.30 was the 3rd lowest in the country, because the average home used only 658 kWh2 a month. 99.6%3 of Xcel Energy's residential customers were on time-of-use rates that year, and members of the two largest cooperatives paid far larger bills than Xcel's customers at a similar price per kWh.
What a kilowatt-hour costs in Colorado, by period
Colorado's residential average was 16.61¢ per kWh over the 12 months to August 2026, 1.43¢ per kWh less than the US average and the 22nd highest1 of the 50 states and DC. That figure is average revenue per kWh: what homes paid their utilities in total, divided by the electricity they used. It includes fixed monthly charges and fuel adjustments, so it is not the price printed on any one tariff.
The period changes the number. The 2025 annual average was 15.69¢ per kWh4. From January to August 2026 it was 16.80¢ per kWh, and in August 2026 alone 17.17¢ per kWh. Over the last 12 months the monthly average was highest in August 2026 (17.17¢ per kWh) and lowest in December 2025 (15.97¢ per kWh1). Monthly figures since January 2026 are preliminary.
Regionally, Colorado stands out on price. Over the last 12 months, 6 of its 6 neighbors had a lower residential average, from 12.74¢ per kWh in Nebraska to 15.31¢ per kWh1 in New Mexico. The table sets the price beside use and the bill, which reorders the states.
| United States | 18.04¢ | 874 | $150.68 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 16.61¢ | 658 | $103.30 |
| New Mexico | 15.31¢ | 638 | $94.65 |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | 876 | $126.42 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 835 | $111.59 |
| Oklahoma | 13.81¢ | 1,064 | $140.52 |
| Utah | 13.26¢ | 761 | $99.06 |
| Nebraska | 12.74¢ | 973 | $117.23 |
Source: EIA, Electric Power Monthly / EIA-861M sales and revenue by state; EIA-861 2025, average monthly bill by state. Residential ¢/kWh, 12 months: 2025-09 to 2026-08; kWh a month, 2025: 2025; Monthly bill, 2025: 2025.
A small bill: low use, not a low price
The average Colorado home paid $103.30 a month in 2025, $47.38 less a month than the US average and the 3rd lowest of any state. It used 658 kWh a month, against 874 kWh nationally, the 13th lowest amount. The bill rose 2.7% from 2024, from $100.575, while the US average bill rose 5.9%2. Over the last 12 months the computed average was $112.791.
The climate data fit that pattern. Colorado averaged 418 cooling degree days a year over 2016–2025 (NOAA), the 8th lowest among the 48 states and DC with data, and in EIA's 2020 household survey air conditioning took only 13%7 of home electricity use. Winters are cold (6,608 heating degree days, 11th highest6), but just 24.6% of homes heat mainly with electricity, against 41.8%8 nationally (Census, 2025).
Households' own reports agree. In the Census Bureau's 2025 American Community Survey, Colorado households paying for electricity reported a median of about $134 for the previous month (US: $169), and 33.8% paid less than $100, the 9th highest9 share. Those are survey estimates that include taxes. EIA's 2020 survey put average spending at $897 a year, 2nd lowest7 among the states; it reflects a pandemic year.
Source: EIA-861 2025, average monthly bill by state. Residential revenue divided by customers, per month, 2025 (EIA Average_Bill_2025; EIA counts customer accounts, including rooftop-solar third-party-owner accounts).
Show the numbers
| State | Monthly bill, 2025 |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $94.65 |
| Utah | $99.06 |
| Colorado | $103.30 |
| Idaho | $110.36 |
| Montana | $110.80 |
| Wyoming | $111.59 |
| Nevada | $115.07 |
| Nebraska | $117.23 |
| Iowa | $117.30 |
| Minnesota | $117.67 |
| Wisconsin | $120.60 |
| Washington | $124.41 |
| United States | $150.68 |
Xcel Energy and the cooperatives: similar prices, different bills
EIA lists 58 utilities selling electricity in Colorado: investor-owned companies, city utilities and member-owned cooperatives. Xcel Energy (legally Public Service Company of Colorado) delivers to 54.5% of the state's residential customers, about 1.4 million homes. Colorado Springs Utilities follows with 8.7%, then CORE Electric Cooperative (6.7%), United Power (4.1%) and Black Hills Colorado Electric (3.9%10).
The four largest charged similar averages per kWh in 2025: Xcel 15.90¢ per kWh, Colorado Springs Utilities 15.43¢ per kWh, CORE 15.62¢ per kWh and United Power 16.50¢ per kWh. Their bills did not. Xcel's customers averaged $92.91 a month on 584 kWh of use, and Colorado Springs Utilities' $92.91 on 602 kWh. CORE's members averaged $131.72 on 843 kWh, and United Power's $131.45 on 797 kWh10. The highest monthly average of the last 12 months was $224.64 at United Power (July 2026) and $165.82 at Xcel (July 202611).
Source: EIA-861 annual electric power industry report, 2025 final. EIA-861 2025 final. Average revenue per kWh is all charges divided by kWh; it is not a tariff rate.
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| Utility | average monthly residential bill |
|---|---|
| Xcel Energy (CO) | $92.91 |
| Colorado Springs Utilities (CO) | $92.91 |
| United Power (CO) | $131.45 |
| CORE Electric Cooperative (CO) | $131.72 |
Over the last 12 months (September 2025 to August 2026, preliminary) the gap in bills persisted: Xcel 16.82¢ per kWh and $99.66 a month, Colorado Springs Utilities 15.89¢ per kWh and $97.39, CORE 17.08¢ per kWh and $144.93, United Power 17.94¢ per kWh and $145.1611.
Beyond the four, prices spread out. Among the 20 utilities with 10,000 or more residential customers, 2025 averages ran from 12.45¢ per kWh at Holy Cross Electric Association to 18.86¢ per kWh at San Isabel Electric Association, a gap of 6.41¢ per kWh. By ownership, Colorado's city utilities averaged 14.71¢ per kWh, its cooperatives 15.51¢ per kWh and its investor-owned utilities 16.07¢ per kWh10.
Source: EIA-861 annual electric power industry report, 2025 final. Utilities with 10,000 or more bundled (full-service) residential customers. Revenue divided by kWh sold, all charges included, EIA-861 2025 final. Darker bars have their own page.
Show the numbers
| Utility | ¢/kWh |
|---|---|
| Holy Cross Electric Association | 12.45¢ |
| Poudre Valley REA | 12.47¢ |
| City of Longmont | 13.12¢ |
| City of Fountain | 14.05¢ |
| City of Fort Collins | 14.34¢ |
| Delta Montrose Electric Association | 14.90¢ |
| City of Loveland | 15.29¢ |
| Colorado Springs Utilities | 15.43¢ |
| CORE Electric Cooperative | 15.62¢ |
| Mountain View Electric Association | 15.65¢ |
| Empire Electric Association | 15.68¢ |
| Colorado average | 15.69¢ |
| Xcel Energy | 15.90¢ |
| Grand Valley Power | 16.20¢ |
| United Power | 16.50¢ |
| San Miguel Power Association | 16.84¢ |
| Yampa Valley Electric Association | 16.98¢ |
| Mountain Parks Electric | 17.54¢ |
| La Plata Electric Association | 18.33¢ |
| Black Hills Colorado Electric | 18.71¢ |
| San Isabel Electric Association | 18.86¢ |
You cannot pick among them. 0.0%10 of Colorado's residential customers bought from a competitive supplier in 2025, so the address decides the utility. Territories overlap: EIA's service-territory records list 8 distribution utilities in El Paso County, and two or more in 6312 of the state's 64 counties. A county on the map does not settle which company serves a street; each utility's own service map does.
Source: EIA-861 2025, service territory; Census Bureau, Cartographic boundary file, counties. Counties where each utility reports serving customers (EIA-861 service territory, 2025). A utility often serves only part of a county, and several can share one: the map shows where each one is present, not street-level boundaries. Point at a county for every utility listed there.
Time-of-use is the standard for most homes
58.2% of Colorado's residential customers were on time-varying rates in 2025, the 2nd highest share among the states; the US share was 11.3%. Most of that is Xcel Energy, which reported 1,375,000 residential customers on time-of-use pricing, 99.6% of the homes on its wires. Elsewhere it is rare: 5.1% at Colorado Springs Utilities, 3.5% at United Power and 0.1%3 at CORE.
On a time-of-use rate a kWh costs more in the utility's peak hours than at other times, so two Xcel homes with the same monthly use can pay different bills. Xcel's own tariff sets the hours and prices; the averages on this page blend all hours. The time-of-use guide explains how such rates change a bill. Smart meters make the hourly billing possible: 97.7% of Colorado's residential meters were advanced meters in 2025, the 4th highest3 share.
Rooftop solar is common too. Colorado had 191,943 net-metered residential installations in 2025, 73.8 per 1,000 residential customers (6th highest; US 38.1). United Power had 129.0 per 1,000 and Xcel 87.83.
District of Columbia 0.0%Maryland 69.0%
Source: EIA-861 2025, advanced meters, dynamic pricing and net metering. Each dot is a state. Residential customers enrolled in time-of-use, real-time, variable-peak or critical-peak pricing (EIA-861 Dynamic_Pricing), as a share of residential customers. Period: 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | On time-varying rates |
|---|---|
| Maryland | 69.0% |
| Colorado | 58.2% |
| Delaware | 54.5% |
| Missouri | 53.2% |
| Michigan | 39.0% |
| Arizona | 37.7% |
| California | 35.9% |
| Oklahoma | 33.1% |
| Montana | 17.0% |
| Illinois | 10.2% |
| Louisiana | 9.8% |
| North Dakota | 8.7% |
| Arkansas | 7.8% |
| South Carolina | 7.7% |
| Iowa | 6.0% |
| North Carolina | 4.9% |
| Connecticut | 4.5% |
| Hawaii | 4.3% |
| Indiana | 3.9% |
| Minnesota | 3.2% |
| South Dakota | 3.1% |
| Vermont | 3.0% |
| Kansas | 2.2% |
| Mississippi | 2.2% |
| New York | 1.9% |
| Wisconsin | 1.8% |
| Georgia | 1.7% |
| Nevada | 1.6% |
| Oregon | 1.4% |
| Maine | 1.3% |
| Texas | 1.3% |
| Idaho | 1.2% |
| New Mexico | 1.1% |
| Ohio | 0.7% |
| Virginia | 0.6% |
| Wyoming | 0.6% |
| Utah | 0.4% |
| Alabama | 0.3% |
| Kentucky | 0.3% |
| Nebraska | 0.3% |
| New Jersey | 0.3% |
| Tennessee | 0.3% |
| West Virginia | 0.3% |
| Massachusetts | 0.2% |
| Pennsylvania | 0.2% |
| Alaska | 0.1% |
| Florida | 0.1% |
| New Hampshire | 0.1% |
| District of Columbia | 0.0% |
| Rhode Island | 0.0% |
| Washington | 0.0% |
The seasonal swing
Use per home peaked at 1,024 kWh in July 2026 and fell to 546 kWh in April 2026, a ratio of 1.9 times over the last 12 months. In August 2026 the average home used 973 kWh and paid $167.04, against $209.231 for the US in the same month.
Source: EIA, Electric Power Monthly / EIA-861M sales and revenue by state. Residential kWh sold per customer in each month. The table adds that month's average residential price. Monthly EIA data through August 2026 (released October 23, 2026); months since January 2026 are preliminary.
Show the numbers
| Month | kWh per customer | Residential ¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | 652 | 16.49¢ |
| October 2025 | 570 | 16.08¢ |
| November 2025 | 548 | 16.19¢ |
| December 2025 | 640 | 15.97¢ |
| January 2026 | 685 | 16.44¢ |
| February 2026 | 573 | 16.79¢ |
| March 2026 | 592 | 16.74¢ |
| April 2026 | 546 | 16.54¢ |
| May 2026 | 600 | 16.16¢ |
| June 2026 | 751 | 17.13¢ |
| July 2026 | 1,024 | 17.00¢ |
| August 2026 | 973 | 17.17¢ |
Recent increases against the US
Colorado's residential price rose 7.9% over the last 12 months against the 12 before, the 18th highest increase among the states; the US average rose 6.5%. Over January to August 2026 the gap was similar: +8.6% in Colorado, +6.8% for the US. In August 2026 the price was +5.9% against August 2025. Businesses saw more: the commercial price rose 9.0% over the last 12 months (tied for 10th highest) and the industrial price 6.7%1.
Over the longer run Colorado tracked the country. The residential average went from 7.47¢ per kWh14 in 2001 to 15.69¢ per kWh in 2025, up 110.0% (US 100.8%), and since 2010 it rose 42.1%, less than the US 49.3%. It increased in 18 of the years since 2002 and last fell in 20184.
Source: EIA, Electric Power Monthly / EIA-861M sales and revenue by state. Average revenue per kWh (all charges, nominal dollars), each month; summer and winter months differ by season. Monthly EIA data through August 2026 (released October 23, 2026); months since January 2026 are preliminary.
Show the numbers
| Period | Colorado (¢/kWh) | United States (¢/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2023 | 14.11¢ | 15.47¢ |
| Feb 2023 | 14.23¢ | 15.98¢ |
| Mar 2023 | 13.80¢ | 16.04¢ |
| Apr 2023 | 13.53¢ | 16.10¢ |
| May 2023 | 14.34¢ | 16.14¢ |
| Jun 2023 | 14.63¢ | 16.09¢ |
| Jul 2023 | 14.14¢ | 15.86¢ |
| Aug 2023 | 14.45¢ | 15.91¢ |
| Sep 2023 | 15.03¢ | 16.27¢ |
| Oct 2023 | 14.50¢ | 16.48¢ |
| Nov 2023 | 14.58¢ | 16.19¢ |
| Dec 2023 | 14.18¢ | 15.69¢ |
| Jan 2024 | 14.22¢ | 15.41¢ |
| Feb 2024 | 14.48¢ | 16.10¢ |
| Mar 2024 | 14.41¢ | 16.67¢ |
| Apr 2024 | 14.49¢ | 16.86¢ |
| May 2024 | 14.52¢ | 16.40¢ |
| Jun 2024 | 14.96¢ | 16.38¢ |
| Jul 2024 | 15.22¢ | 16.62¢ |
| Aug 2024 | 15.43¢ | 16.60¢ |
| Sep 2024 | 15.57¢ | 16.82¢ |
| Oct 2024 | 15.26¢ | 17.09¢ |
| Nov 2024 | 14.90¢ | 16.85¢ |
| Dec 2024 | 15.10¢ | 16.27¢ |
| Jan 2025 | 14.79¢ | 15.92¢ |
| Feb 2025 | 14.94¢ | 16.40¢ |
| Mar 2025 | 14.91¢ | 17.03¢ |
| Apr 2025 | 15.36¢ | 17.20¢ |
| May 2025 | 15.44¢ | 17.33¢ |
| Jun 2025 | 15.89¢ | 17.44¢ |
| Jul 2025 | 15.85¢ | 17.39¢ |
| Aug 2025 | 16.21¢ | 17.57¢ |
| Sep 2025 | 16.49¢ | 18.05¢ |
| Oct 2025 | 16.08¢ | 17.95¢ |
| Nov 2025 | 16.19¢ | 17.77¢ |
| Dec 2025 | 15.97¢ | 17.11¢ |
| Jan 2026 | 16.44¢ | 17.45¢ |
| Feb 2026 | 16.79¢ | 17.65¢ |
| Mar 2026 | 16.74¢ | 18.60¢ |
| Apr 2026 | 16.54¢ | 18.86¢ |
| May 2026 | 16.16¢ | 18.44¢ |
| Jun 2026 | 17.13¢ | 18.34¢ |
| Jul 2026 | 17.00¢ | 18.31¢ |
| Aug 2026 | 17.17¢ | 18.16¢ |
From coal to wind and gas
Coal produced 60.2% of Colorado's electricity in 2015 and 24.7% in 2025. Wind's share rose to 30.0%, the 7th highest among the states, and natural gas's to 32.0%; natural gas was the largest single source. Solar grew from 0.5% to 9.9%. Colorado had no nuclear generation (0.0%), and its power plants produced the equivalent of 100%15 of its retail electricity sales in 2025.
Source: EIA, Net generation by state by type of producer by energy source. Share of net generation by all power plants located in the state (utilities and independent producers), by energy source. Electricity crosses state lines, so this is what the state produces, not exactly what its customers consume. Pumped storage is a net user of power and is left out.
Show the numbers
| Natural gas | Coal | Nuclear | Hydro | Wind | Solar | Petroleum | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado, 2025 | 32.0% | 24.7% | 0.0% | 3.0% | 30.0% | 9.9% | 0.0% | 0.2% |
| Colorado, 2015 | 22.2% | 60.2% | 0.0% | 3.1% | 14.3% | 0.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| United States, 2025 | 40.9% | 16.6% | 17.7% | 5.5% | 10.4% | 6.8% | 0.4% | 1.7% |
Outages and help paying
Colorado customers averaged 274 minutes without power in 2025 counting major events, and 118 minutes excluding them. The utilities differ widely: Colorado Springs Utilities reported 41 minutes including major events, Xcel 360 minutes, United Power 303 minutes and CORE 381 minutes16. How that compares nationally is in the power outages ranking.
Colorado received $55.5 million from the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for fiscal 2026, $22.35 per occupied home, the 9th lowest amount among the states; the first fiscal 2027 release was $48.7 million17. The help paying your electric bill guide explains how to apply and what utilities offer.
| Xcel Energy | Investor-owned | 1,379,910 | 15.90¢ | $92.91 | 584 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs Utilities | Municipal | 220,059 | 15.43¢ | $92.91 | 602 |
| CORE Electric Cooperative | Cooperative | 168,587 | 15.62¢ | $131.72 | 843 |
| United Power | Cooperative | 103,104 | 16.50¢ | $131.45 | 797 |
| Black Hills Colorado Electric | Investor-owned | 97,888 | 18.71¢ | $94.77 | 506 |
| City of Fort Collins | Municipal | 71,804 | 14.34¢ | $87.43 | 610 |
| Mountain View Electric Association | Cooperative | 61,343 | 15.65¢ | $137.24 | 877 |
| Poudre Valley REA | Cooperative | 50,933 | 12.47¢ | $109.05 | 875 |
| Holy Cross Electric Association | Cooperative | 50,431 | 12.45¢ | $140.00 | 1,124 |
| City of Longmont | Municipal | 41,483 | 13.12¢ | $88.39 | 674 |
| La Plata Electric Association | Cooperative | 40,369 | 18.33¢ | $117.64 | 642 |
| City of Loveland | Municipal | 37,387 | 15.29¢ | $94.55 | 618 |
| Delta Montrose Electric Association | Cooperative | 32,985 | 14.90¢ | $106.93 | 718 |
| Yampa Valley Electric Association | Cooperative | 23,604 | 16.98¢ | $145.84 | 859 |
| San Isabel Electric Association | Cooperative | 23,415 | 18.86¢ | $118.40 | 628 |
| Mountain Parks Electric | Cooperative | 19,571 | 17.54¢ | $128.04 | 730 |
| Grand Valley Power | Cooperative | 17,657 | 16.20¢ | $129.01 | 796 |
| City of Fountain | Municipal | 17,088 | 14.05¢ | $100.09 | 713 |
| Sangre De Cristo Electric Association | Cooperative | 14,818 all | 19.09¢ all customers | – | – |
| Empire Electric Association | Cooperative | 13,016 | 15.68¢ | $110.29 | 703 |
| San Miguel Power Association | Cooperative | 12,379 | 16.84¢ | $134.50 | 799 |
| Gunnison County Electric Association. | Cooperative | 11,879 all | 18.42¢ all customers | – | – |
| Town of Estes Park | Municipal | 11,307 all | 16.27¢ all customers | – | – |
| San Luis Valley R E C | Cooperative | 8,948 | 19.40¢ | $125.92 | 649 |
| Southeast Colorado Power Association | Cooperative | 8,169 | 17.92¢ | $126.81 | 708 |
| City of Glenwood Springs | Municipal | 7,259 all | 11.70¢ all customers | – | – |
| Morgan County Rural Electric Association | Cooperative | 5,891 | 14.46¢ | $146.24 | 1,011 |
| City of Fort Morgan | Municipal | 5,434 | 7.31¢ | $75.16 | 1,028 |
| Highline Electric Association | Cooperative | 5,013 | 15.16¢ | $136.88 | 903 |
| Y-W Electric Association | Cooperative | 4,878 | 15.66¢ | $121.70 | 777 |
| City of Gunnison | Municipal | 4,715 all | 12.69¢ all customers | – | – |
| City of Trinidad | Municipal | 4,673 all | 18.30¢ all customers | – | – |
| City of Lamar | Municipal | 4,089 all | 17.85¢ all customers | – | – |
| City of La Junta | Municipal | 3,800 all | 14.52¢ all customers | – | – |
| City of Delta | Municipal | 3,746 all | 12.64¢ all customers | – | – |
| K C Electric Association | Cooperative | 3,411 | 13.02¢ | $128.05 | 984 |
| City of Aspen | Municipal | 3,128 all | 18.91¢ all customers | – | – |
| White River Electric Association | Cooperative | 2,641 | 14.69¢ | $102.94 | 701 |
| City of Las Animas | Municipal | 2,098 all | 18.16¢ all customers | – | – |
| City of Burlington | Municipal | 2,047 all | 13.71¢ all customers | – | – |
| City of Yuma | Municipal | 1,615 all | 11.04¢ all customers | – | – |
| Moon Lake Electric Association | Cooperative | 1,525 | 9.71¢ | $80.39 | 828 |
| City of Center | Municipal | 1,344 all | 10.55¢ all customers | – | – |
| City of Wray | Municipal | 1,343 all | 11.88¢ all customers | – | – |
| City of Holyoke | Municipal | 1,222 all | 13.55¢ all customers | – | – |
| Town of Lyons | Municipal | 1,178 all | 12.80¢ all customers | – | – |
Source: EIA-861 annual electric power industry report, 2025 final. EIA-861 2025 final; utilities with 1,000 or more residential customers. Price, bill and kWh are for bundled (full-service) residential customers: revenue divided by kWh, all charges included. Small utilities that file EIA's short form report all customers together (marked "all customers").
| Adams County | 5 | Xcel Energy, CORE Electric Cooperative, United Power, Morgan County Rural Electric Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
|---|---|---|
| Alamosa County | 2 | Xcel Energy, San Luis Valley R E C |
| Arapahoe County | 4 | Xcel Energy, CORE Electric Cooperative, Mountain View Electric Association, Morgan County Rural Electric Association |
| Archuleta County | 2 | Xcel Energy, La Plata Electric Association |
| Baca County | 4 | Xcel Energy, Southeast Colorado Power Association, City of Springfield, Tri-County Electric Cooperative |
| Bent County | 4 | Xcel Energy, Southeast Colorado Power Association, City of Lamar, City of Las Animas |
| Boulder County | 7 | Xcel Energy, United Power, Poudre Valley REA, City of Longmont, Town of Estes Park, Town of Lyons, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Broomfield County | 2 | United Power, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Chaffee County | 4 | Xcel Energy, CORE Electric Cooperative, Sangre De Cristo Electric Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Cheyenne County | 3 | Southeast Colorado Power Association, K C Electric Association, Wheatland Electric Cooperative |
| Clear Creek County | 3 | Xcel Energy, CORE Electric Cooperative, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Conejos County | 2 | Xcel Energy, San Luis Valley R E C |
| Costilla County | 3 | Xcel Energy, San Isabel Electric Association, San Luis Valley R E C |
| Crowley County | 4 | Xcel Energy, Black Hills Colorado Electric, Mountain View Electric Association, Southeast Colorado Power Association |
| Custer County | 5 | Xcel Energy, Black Hills Colorado Electric, San Isabel Electric Association, Sangre De Cristo Electric Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Delta County | 5 | Xcel Energy, Delta Montrose Electric Association, Grand Valley Power, City of Delta, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Denver County | 1 | Xcel Energy |
| Dolores County | 4 | Xcel Energy, Empire Electric Association, San Miguel Power Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Douglas County | 4 | Xcel Energy, CORE Electric Cooperative, Mountain View Electric Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Eagle County | 3 | Xcel Energy, Holy Cross Electric Association, Yampa Valley Electric Association |
| El Paso County | 8 | Xcel Energy, Colorado Springs Utilities, CORE Electric Cooperative, Black Hills Colorado Electric, Mountain View Electric Association, City of Fountain, Southeast Colorado Power Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Elbert County | 3 | Xcel Energy, CORE Electric Cooperative, Mountain View Electric Association |
| Fremont County | 6 | Xcel Energy, CORE Electric Cooperative, Black Hills Colorado Electric, San Isabel Electric Association, Sangre De Cristo Electric Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Garfield County | 7 | Xcel Energy, Holy Cross Electric Association, Grand Valley Power, City of Glenwood Springs, White River Electric Association, Moon Lake Electric Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Gilpin County | 2 | Xcel Energy, United Power |
| Grand County | 4 | Xcel Energy, Yampa Valley Electric Association, Mountain Parks Electric, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Gunnison County | 6 | Xcel Energy, Holy Cross Electric Association, Delta Montrose Electric Association, Gunnison County Electric Association., City of Gunnison, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Hinsdale County | 4 | Xcel Energy, La Plata Electric Association, Gunnison County Electric Association., San Luis Valley R E C |
| Huerfano County | 2 | Xcel Energy, San Isabel Electric Association |
| Jackson County | 2 | Mountain Parks Electric, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Jefferson County | 4 | Xcel Energy, CORE Electric Cooperative, United Power, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Kiowa County | 4 | Xcel Energy, Southeast Colorado Power Association, K C Electric Association, Wheatland Electric Cooperative |
| Kit Carson County | 2 | K C Electric Association, City of Burlington |
| La Plata County | 3 | Xcel Energy, La Plata Electric Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Lake County | 3 | Xcel Energy, Sangre De Cristo Electric Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Larimer County | 8 | Xcel Energy, City of Fort Collins, Poudre Valley REA, City of Loveland, Mountain Parks Electric, Town of Estes Park, High West Energy, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Las Animas County | 5 | Xcel Energy, San Isabel Electric Association, Southeast Colorado Power Association, City of Trinidad, Southwestern Electric Cooperative |
| Lincoln County | 4 | Mountain View Electric Association, Southeast Colorado Power Association, K C Electric Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Logan County | 6 | Xcel Energy, Morgan County Rural Electric Association, Highline Electric Association, High West Energy, Town of Fleming, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Mesa County | 5 | Xcel Energy, Holy Cross Electric Association, Grand Valley Power, San Miguel Power Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Mineral County | 3 | Xcel Energy, La Plata Electric Association, San Luis Valley R E C |
| Moffat County | 5 | Xcel Energy, Yampa Valley Electric Association, White River Electric Association, Moon Lake Electric Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Montezuma County | 3 | Xcel Energy, Empire Electric Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Montrose County | 4 | Xcel Energy, Delta Montrose Electric Association, San Miguel Power Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Morgan County | 5 | Xcel Energy, Morgan County Rural Electric Association, City of Fort Morgan, Highline Electric Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Otero County | 5 | Xcel Energy, Black Hills Colorado Electric, San Isabel Electric Association, Southeast Colorado Power Association, City of La Junta |
| Ouray County | 4 | Xcel Energy, Delta Montrose Electric Association, San Miguel Power Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Park County | 2 | Xcel Energy, CORE Electric Cooperative |
| Phillips County | 4 | Highline Electric Association, City of Holyoke, Town of Haxtun, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Pitkin County | 3 | Xcel Energy, Holy Cross Electric Association, City of Aspen |
| Prowers County | 6 | Xcel Energy, Southeast Colorado Power Association, City of Lamar, Town of Holly, Town of Granada, Wheatland Electric Cooperative |
| Pueblo County | 6 | Xcel Energy, Black Hills Colorado Electric, Mountain View Electric Association, San Isabel Electric Association, Southeast Colorado Power Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Rio Blanco County | 6 | Xcel Energy, Yampa Valley Electric Association, White River Electric Association, Moon Lake Electric Association, Deseret Generation & Tran Cooperative, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Rio Grande County | 3 | Xcel Energy, San Luis Valley R E C, City of Center |
| Routt County | 5 | Xcel Energy, Yampa Valley Electric Association, Mountain Parks Electric, Town of Oak Creek, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Saguache County | 6 | Xcel Energy, Sangre De Cristo Electric Association, Gunnison County Electric Association., San Luis Valley R E C, City of Center, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| San Juan County | 2 | La Plata Electric Association, San Miguel Power Association |
| San Miguel County | 4 | Xcel Energy, Empire Electric Association, San Miguel Power Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Sedgwick County | 3 | Highline Electric Association, City of Julesburg, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Summit County | 3 | Xcel Energy, Mountain Parks Electric, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Teller County | 4 | Xcel Energy, Colorado Springs Utilities, CORE Electric Cooperative, Black Hills Colorado Electric |
| Washington County | 6 | Xcel Energy, Mountain View Electric Association, Morgan County Rural Electric Association, Highline Electric Association, Y-W Electric Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Weld County | 8 | Xcel Energy, United Power, Poudre Valley REA, City of Longmont, Morgan County Rural Electric Association, Highline Electric Association, High West Energy, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Yuma County | 6 | Xcel Energy, Highline Electric Association, Y-W Electric Association, City of Yuma, City of Wray, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
Source: EIA-861 2025, service territory. Distribution utilities that report customers in the county (EIA-861 2025 service territory), largest first. Several utilities can serve parts of the same county; for a specific address, the utilities' own service-area maps decide.
Colorado electricity questions
What is the cost per kWh of electricity in Colorado?
Colorado homes paid an average of 16.61¢ per kWh over the last 12 months (September 2025 to August 2026), counting energy, delivery, fixed charges and riders but not most taxes. August 2026 on its own: 17.17¢ per kWh1, a preliminary figure. The 2025 annual average was 15.69¢ per kWh4. These are averages over all homes, not a tariff.
What is the average electric bill in Colorado?
$103.30 a month in 2025 for 658 kWh, according to EIA, against $150.682 for the US. Computed over the last 12 months, it was $112.79. Summer bills are higher: in August 2026 the average was $167.041.
What are Colorado Springs electricity rates?
Colorado Springs Utilities, the city-owned utility, reported an average residential price of 15.43¢ per kWh for 2025 and 15.89¢ per kWh11 over the last 12 months (September 2025 to August 2026, preliminary). Its customers' average bill in 2025 was $92.91 for 602 kWh10 a month. Other parts of El Paso County are served by other utilities.
What does Xcel Energy charge in Colorado?
Xcel Energy's Colorado residential customers paid an average of 15.90¢ per kWh10 in 2025 and 16.82¢ per kWh11 over the last 12 months (September 2025 to August 2026). Because 99.6%3 of them were on time-of-use rates in 2025, what a kWh costs depends on when it is used; the hours and prices are in Xcel's tariff.
Can I choose my electric company in Colorado?
No. EIA counted 010 competitive suppliers with residential customers in Colorado in 2025. The utility that owns the wires at your address, an investor-owned company, a city utility or a cooperative, also sells you the electricity.
More on electricity in and around Colorado
Utility pages: Xcel Energy, Colorado Springs Utilities, CORE Electric Cooperative and United Power.
Neighboring states: Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming. Put Colorado side by side with another state in the comparison tool, or estimate a bill with your own kWh in the bill calculator.
| Ranking | Value | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest electricity by state | 16.61¢ | 30th of 51 (1 = lowest) |
| Average electric bill by state | $103.30 | 49th of 51 |
| Average electricity usage by state | 658 | 39th of 51 |
| Electricity price increases by state | +7.9% | 18th of 51 |
| Commercial electricity rates by state | 13.14¢ | 28th of 51 (1 = lowest) |
| Industrial electricity rates by state | 9.44¢ | 32nd of 51 (1 = lowest) |
| Power outages by state | 274 | 20th of 51 |
| Renewable electricity by state | 43.0% | 15th of 51 |
| Rooftop solar on net metering by state | 73.8 | 6th of 51 |
Sources
- EIA, Electric Power Monthly / EIA-861M sales and revenue by state; table sales_revenue.xlsx (EPM Table 5.6.A); January 2001 to 2026-08; months since January 2026 preliminary; released October 23, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA-861 2025, average monthly bill by state; table Average_Bill_2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA-861 2025, advanced meters, dynamic pricing and net metering; table Advanced_Meters, Dynamic_Pricing, Net_Metering 2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA, Historical state data, annual sales, revenue and customers; table HS861 2010-.xlsx; 2010-2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA, Electric Sales, Revenue, and Average Price 2024, Table 5A; 2024 (last edition of this product); released October 7, 2025. www.eia.gov
- NOAA, Climate Prediction Center population-weighted degree days by state; table daily state files, base 65°F; 2016-2025 annual sums; 1981-2010 CPC normals; released November 13, 2026. ftp.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov
- EIA, Residential Energy Consumption Survey 2020, state data; table CE4.1.EL.ST, CE5 state tables, state highlights; released June 28, 2023. www.eia.gov
- Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 1-year estimates, house heating fuel, table B25040; 2025; released October 29, 2026. data.census.gov
- Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 1-year estimates, table B25132; 2025; released October 29, 2026. data.census.gov
- EIA-861 annual electric power industry report, 2025 final; table Sales_Ult_Cust_2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA-861M monthly sales and revenue by utility; table sales_ult_cust_2025 and _2026; released October 23, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA-861 2025, service territory; table Service_Territory_2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- Census Bureau, Cartographic boundary file, counties; table cb_2025_us_county_5m; cb_2021_us_county_5m; 2025 (2021 for Connecticut). www.census.gov
- EIA, Historical state data, monthly sales and revenue 1990-2009; table HS861M 1990-2009.xlsx; 1990-2009, final. www.eia.gov
- EIA, Net generation by state by type of producer by energy source; table annual_generation_state.xlsx; 1990-2025; released September 14, 2026. www.eia.gov
- EIA-861 2025, reliability; table Reliability_2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 2026. www.eia.gov
- HHS, LIHEAP funding releases to states; table FY2027 first release; FY2026 final; FY2027 first release (October 9, 2026); FY2026 total; released October 9, 2026. acf.gov
Margins of error (±) are at the 90% confidence level. A difference is called significant only when it passes the Census Bureau's test at that level. How every figure is built: methodology. Found an error? Write to [email protected]; corrections are listed on the updates page.