Colorado Springs Utilities electric rates per kWh and average bill
Colorado Springs Utilities's 220,059 residential customers in Colorado paid an average of 15.43¢ per kWh in 2025, for an average bill of $92.91 a month on 602 kWh.1 Over the last 12 months (Sep 2025–Aug 2026) the average was 15.89¢, and 16.29¢ in August 2026.2
EIA-861 2025 final (released October 7, 2026) and EIA's monthly utility survey through August 2026 (preliminary); next monthly update expected November 24, 2026. Averages are revenue divided by kWh, all charges included: not the rate printed in a tariff.
2 of 64 Colorado counties served (EIA-861 2025)
Colorado Springs Utilities' price per kWh is rising faster than Colorado's: its residential average went up 6.8% from 2024 to 2025, and the August 20263 figure was +10.0%2 on a year earlier. Its homes still averaged $92.911 a month in 2025, the same as Xcel Energy's, and lost far fewer minutes to outages than most of the state.
Price per kWh: three periods, three numbers
Colorado Springs Utilities is owned by the City of Colorado Springs and served 220,059 residential customers in 2025, 8.7%1 of Colorado's, second only to Xcel Energy. What its homes paid per kWh depends on the period you look at:
- 2025, full year: 15.43¢ per kWh1 (EIA-861, every utility).
- Last 12 months, September 2025 to August 2026: 15.89¢ per kWh (EIA-861M monthly sample; 2026 months preliminary).
- August 20263 alone: 16.29¢ per kWh2, preliminary.
All three are average revenue per kWh: everything residential customers were billed for electricity, including the fixed service charge and the fuel adjustment, divided by the kWh they used. None of them is a line on the tariff.
The 2025 average was 1.7% below the Colorado average and the 8th lowest of the 20 Colorado utilities with 10,000 or more residential customers. Among the 177 US utilities of its size it ranked 83rd highest of 177, slightly above their median of 15.07¢ per kWh. Against other public power it was 6.5% above the national average for public power, and above Colorado's public power utilities as a group (14.71¢ per kWh1).
Source: EIA-861M monthly sales and revenue by utility; EIA, Electric Power Monthly / EIA-861M sales and revenue by state. Residential revenue divided by kWh in each month, as reported to EIA's monthly survey (EIA-861M; months since January 2026 preliminary).
Show the numbers
| Month | Colorado Springs Utilities (¢/kWh) | kWh per customer | Bill per customer |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | 15.09¢ | 740 | $111.69 |
| February 2025 | 15.34¢ | 594 | $91.12 |
| March 2025 | 16.14¢ | 557 | $89.95 |
| April 2025 | 15.95¢ | 518 | $82.64 |
| May 2025 | 16.17¢ | 519 | $84.00 |
| June 2025 | 15.41¢ | 625 | $96.37 |
| July 2025 | 14.73¢ | 763 | $112.30 |
| August 2025 | 14.81¢ | 718 | $106.26 |
| September 2025 | 15.65¢ | 538 | $84.28 |
| October 2025 | 15.92¢ | 519 | $82.62 |
| November 2025 | 15.44¢ | 550 | $84.97 |
| December 2025 | 15.26¢ | 639 | $97.53 |
| January 2026 | 15.86¢ | 663 | $105.16 |
| February 2026 | 15.89¢ | 527 | $83.77 |
| March 2026 | 16.33¢ | 531 | $86.76 |
| April 2026 | 15.38¢ | 509 | $78.37 |
| May 2026 | 15.33¢ | 534 | $81.87 |
| June 2026 | 16.65¢ | 669 | $111.31 |
| July 2026 | 16.24¢ | 875 | $142.03 |
| August 2026 | 16.29¢ | 792 | $129.03 |
The increases since 2024
From 2024 to 2025 the residential average rose from 14.45¢ per kWh to 15.43¢ per kWh, up 6.8%. Colorado's average rose 5.2%5 over the same years. The bill rose less, +3.8% to $92.91, because use per home fell from 619 kWh4 to 602 kWh1 a month.
The monthly data continue the climb. The last-12-month average (September 2025 to August 2026) of 15.89¢ per kWh is above the 2025 figure, and the August 2026 average was +10.0%2 against August 2025, while Colorado's statewide residential average for that month was +5.9%3. These 2026 figures are preliminary until EIA's annual survey, due August 2027.
The utility's own planning explains the direction: its budget and rates page says spending on future projects "will result in rate increases across all four services from 2025-2029" under a five-year rate case. Fuel and purchased-power costs are recovered through a separate electric fuel rate that, according to the utility's rates page, is usually adjusted each quarter. The same page reports that Colorado Springs City Council approved a decrease to that fuel rate effective October 1, 2026, after the latest month in EIA's data.
The same bill as Xcel, reached differently
In 2025 Colorado Springs Utilities' homes and Xcel Energy's paid the same average monthly bill, $92.911. Colorado Springs had the lower average price and the higher use; Xcel the reverse. Both bills were well below those of the two large cooperatives, whose members use much more electricity.
| Utility, 2025 | Average price | Use per home a month | Average bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs Utilities | 15.43¢ per kWh | 602 kWh | $92.91 |
| Xcel Energy | 15.90¢ per kWh | 584 kWh | $92.91 |
| CORE Electric Cooperative | 15.62¢ per kWh | 843 kWh | $131.72 |
| United Power | 16.50¢ per kWh | 797 kWh | $131.451 |
| Colorado, all providers | 15.69¢ per kWh5 | 658 kWh | $103.306 |
Over the last 12 months (September 2025 to August 2026) Colorado Springs Utilities' homes paid slightly less than Xcel's: $97.39 a month against $99.66, at average prices of 15.89¢ per kWh and 16.82¢ per kWh2. Nobody in Colorado chooses between them: 0.0%1 of the state's residential customers bought from a competitive supplier in 2025, and the address decides the utility.
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.
Show the numbers
| Utility | average monthly residential use |
|---|---|
| Xcel Energy (CO) | 584 |
| Colorado Springs Utilities (CO) | 602 |
| United Power (CO) | 797 |
| CORE Electric Cooperative (CO) | 843 |
July is the peak month
Over the last 12 months the average home used 509 kWh in April 2026 and 875 kWh in July 2026; the average bill went from $78.37 to $142.03. Xcel's homes swung further, from 439 kWh to 923 kWh2 over the same months.
Source: EIA-861M monthly sales and revenue by utility. kWh per residential customer in each month (EIA-861M; months since January 2026 preliminary). The table adds the average bill and price for the month.
Show the numbers
| Month | kWh per customer | Bill per customer | ¢/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | 538 | $84.28 | 15.65¢ |
| October 2025 | 519 | $82.62 | 15.92¢ |
| November 2025 | 550 | $84.97 | 15.44¢ |
| December 2025 | 639 | $97.53 | 15.26¢ |
| January 2026 | 663 | $105.16 | 15.86¢ |
| February 2026 | 527 | $83.77 | 15.89¢ |
| March 2026 | 531 | $86.76 | 16.33¢ |
| April 2026 | 509 | $78.37 | 15.38¢ |
| May 2026 | 534 | $81.87 | 15.33¢ |
| June 2026 | 669 | $111.31 | 16.65¢ |
| July 2026 | 875 | $142.03 | 16.24¢ |
| August 2026 | 792 | $129.03 | 16.29¢ |
Winter shows no matching electric peak. Colorado's winters are cold (6,6087 heating degree days a year on average, 2016–2025, NOAA), but only 24.6%8 of Colorado households heated mainly with electricity in 2025 (Census). Colorado Springs Utilities also provides natural gas service, which is a separate service and is not in any figure on this page.
Outages: 41 minutes a year
The average customer was without power for 41 minutes in 2025, counting all events, against a Colorado average of 274 minutes and 360 minutes on Xcel's system. Excluding major event days, which the IEEE 1366 standard sets apart as unusually severe, the figure was also 41 minutes: no outage time came from such days. Customers had 0.68 interruptions each on average, against 1.309 statewide.
Source: EIA-861 2025, reliability. EIA-861 2025 final. Average revenue per kWh is all charges divided by kWh; it is not a tariff rate.
Show the numbers
| Utility | outage minutes per customer (all events) |
|---|---|
| Colorado Springs Utilities (CO) | 41 |
| Salt River Project (AZ) | 66 |
| Rocky Mountain Power (UT) | 118 |
| PNM (NM) | 125 |
| Seattle City Light (WA) | 158 |
| Xcel Energy (CO) | 360 |
For comparison, Salt River Project around Phoenix reported 66 minutes, PNM in New Mexico 125 minutes, Rocky Mountain Power in Utah 118 minutes and Seattle City Light 158 minutes9, all in 2025 and including major events.
Smart meters everywhere, time-of-use by choice
Advanced meters were installed at 100.0% of residential meters in 2025. Time-varying pricing remains an opt-in: 11,119 customers, 5.1% of the total, were enrolled in time-of-use and critical peak pricing programs, which the utility markets as Energy Wise Rates. That sets it apart from Xcel, where 99.6%10 of homes were on such a rate. The peak hours and prices are in the utility's electric tariff; the averages on this page blend all of them. The time-of-use guide shows how such a rate changes a bill.
Rooftop solar: 9,965 net-metered residential installations with 46.1 megawatts of capacity, or 45.3 per 1,000 customers (2025), about half Xcel's rate of 87.810. The utility filed a net metering rate case in July 2026; anyone sizing a system should read the current and proposed terms there. The net metering guide explains how the credits work.
Service area: El Paso and Teller counties
EIA's territory records place Colorado Springs Utilities in El Paso and Teller counties. Neither is served by it alone. EIA counts 811 distribution utilities reporting customers in El Paso County, the most of any Colorado county. A Colorado Springs mailing address is therefore not proof of service; the utility's own map decides. EIA publishes no price for a city or ZIP code, so any "Colorado Springs rate" quoted elsewhere is either this utility's figure or an estimate.
Source: EIA-861 2025, service territory; Census Bureau, Cartographic boundary file, counties. EIA-861 2025 service territory: 2 counties. Counts whole counties even where the utility serves only part of one; check the utility's own service-area map for an address.
Show the numbers
| County | Other utilities reporting service |
|---|---|
| El Paso County | Xcel Energy, CORE Electric Cooperative, Black Hills Colorado Electric, Mountain View Electric Association, City of Fountain, Southeast Colorado Power Association, WAPA-- Western Area Power Administration |
| Teller County | Xcel Energy, CORE Electric Cooperative, Black Hills Colorado Electric |
Business customers
The 42,581 commercial accounts paid an average of 11.32¢ per kWh in 2025, with a monthly bill of $241.50; the 1,466 industrial accounts paid 9.61¢ per kWh. Across all 264,106 customers the average was 12.07¢ per kWh1.
Households struggling with utility bills can apply for federal energy assistance: Colorado received $55.5 million13 from LIHEAP for fiscal 2026, and the help paying guide lists the programs. For the statewide comparison, see electricity in Colorado.
Colorado Springs Utilities questions
How much does Colorado Springs Utilities charge per kWh?
Residential customers paid an average of 15.43¢ per kWh1 in 2025 and 15.89¢ per kWh2 over the last 12 months (September 2025 to August 2026, 2026 months preliminary). That is total residential revenue divided by kWh sold, with service charges and fuel adjustments included; the tariff itself lists separate charges, which the utility publishes.
What is the average Colorado Springs Utilities electric bill?
$92.91 a month in 2025 for 602 kWh1, up from $89.514 in 2024. Over the last 12 months (September 2025 to August 2026) the average was $97.392. It covers electricity only, not the utility's gas, water or wastewater services.
Did Colorado Springs Utilities raise electric rates in 2026?
The utility's budget page says its five-year rate case brings increases across all four services from 2025 to 2029. EIA's monthly data show the August 20263 residential average at 16.29¢ per kWh, +10.0%2 against August 2025 (preliminary). City Council approved a lower electric fuel rate from October 1, 2026, after the latest month EIA has published.
Does Colorado Springs Utilities have time-of-use rates?
Yes, as an option. EIA counted 11,119 residential customers on time-of-use and critical peak pricing in 2025, 5.1%10 of the total. The rest are on the standard rate.
Related pages
Sources
- 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, 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 annual electric power industry report, 2024 final; table Sales_Ult_Cust_2024; 2024, final (file updated December 3, 2025); released December 3, 2025. 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-861 2025, average monthly bill by state; table Average_Bill_2025; 2025, final; released October 7, 2026. 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
- Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 1-year estimates, house heating fuel, table B25040; 2025; released October 29, 2026. data.census.gov
- EIA-861 2025, reliability; table Reliability_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-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
- 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.