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ColoradoSB26-0022026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Energy Affordability

Sponsored By: Cathy Kipp (Democratic), Elizabeth Velasco (Democratic), Jenny Willford (Democratic), Tony Exum (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Energy

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Income-based utility bills for low-income Colorado households

Colorado investor-owned utilities must offer income-based payment plans to residential customers who meet Public Utilities Commission income rules. For utilities with more than 500,000 customers, annual income caps are 4% for electric-heated electric accounts, 2% for other electric accounts, 5% for combined gas-and-electric accounts, and 5% when neither fuel provides the main heat. For utilities with 500,000 or fewer customers, caps are 6% for electric-heated electric accounts, 3% for other electric accounts, 3% for gas-primary accounts, and 5% when neither fuel provides the main heat. The commission sets payment rules for households reporting no income. A fixed credit covers the projected annual bill minus the income-based payment, either upfront or through equal monthly credits. Utilities may adjust credits after substantial rate changes or when actual bills differ from estimates by at least 25%. The act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. the day after 90 days following final adjournment of the 2026 regular session. A valid referendum petition delays the challenged provisions until voter approval at the November 2026 election and the governor’s official vote declaration.

Easier utility enrollment with limits after moving

Utilities must decide applications within 30 days, cannot demand an upfront payment, and must explain approved benefits and terms. You can apply directly or through approved referrals; income verification can use documents or your own statement. Accepted customers stay qualified for two program years, and late or partial payments alone cannot end participation. Moving within the same utility area requires reporting your new address and account number, not reapplying; moving outside ends eligibility. Utilities must use a consistent program name, publish eligibility, application steps, payment details, charges, and terms online, and provide plain-language procedures.

Utility debt relief with payment conditions

Plan credits and required payments must clear utility debt from before your first application within 1 to 24 months. Utilities may require timely current-bill payments or payments toward old debt capped at 1% of annual household income. While enrolled, your utility cannot shut off service for nonpayment of that old debt. If enrollment ends early, any unforgiven debt becomes due under the utility’s approved billing rules. You can receive old-debt credits even without a credit for current usage.

Customer bill charges fund utility payment help

Investor-owned utilities can collect a commission-approved payment-plan charge, shown separately on customer bills; the law sets no charge amount. The money can fund only participant bill credits or discounts, old-debt credits, program administration, and required evaluations. Administrative costs cannot exceed 10% of credits for current bills and old debt, or $10,000, whichever is greater. Utilities are encouraged to contribute shareholder profits, but cannot recover those contributions from customers. Utilities must track and report charge revenue, contributions, administrative costs, and participant credits each year.

Energy assistance can count toward utility credits

You can receive other energy assistance while enrolled in the income-based utility payment plan. Your utility may count an assistance grant toward your fixed plan credits, following commission rules. Using both programs does not guarantee more total help.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • Elizabeth Velasco

    Democratic • House

  • Jenny Willford

    Democratic • House

  • Tony Exum

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Gretchen Rydin

    Democratic • House

  • Jamie Jackson

    Democratic • House

  • Junie Joseph

    Democratic • House

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Karen McCormick

    Democratic • House

  • Kenny Nguyen

    Democratic • House

  • Lori Goldstein

    Democratic • House

  • Lesley Smith

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Manny Rutinel

    Democratic • House

  • Sen. A. Benavidez

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Chris Kolker

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dylan Roberts

    Democratic • Senate

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Julie Gonzales

    Democratic • Senate

  • Janice Marchman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Katie Wallace

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Cutter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Matt Ball

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marc Snyder

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Weissman

    Democratic • Senate

  • William Lindstedt

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 140 • No: 57

Senate vote • 5/13/2026

House amendments: Repass

Yes: 23 • No: 12

Senate vote • 5/13/2026

House amendments: Concur

Yes: 35 • No: 0

House vote • 5/12/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 40 • No: 23

House vote • 4/30/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-002 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 9 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/17/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 23 • No: 12

Senate vote • 4/10/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-002 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 4 • No: 3

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-002, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 6 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    6/2/2026House

  2. Signed by the President of the Senate

    5/21/2026Senate

  3. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    5/21/2026House

  4. Sent to the Governor

    5/21/2026House

  5. Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass

    5/13/2026Senate

  6. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    5/12/2026House

  7. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Floor

    5/11/2026House

  8. House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    5/5/2026House

  9. House Committee on Energy & Environment Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

    4/30/2026House

  10. Introduced In House - Assigned to Energy & Environment

    4/20/2026House

  11. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/17/2026Senate

  12. Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

    4/16/2026Senate

  13. Senate Second Reading Laid Over to 04/16/2026 - No Amendments

    4/14/2026Senate

  14. Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole

    4/10/2026Senate

  15. Senate Committee on Transportation & Energy Refer Amended to Appropriations

    3/11/2026Senate

  16. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Transportation & Energy

    1/14/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

    PDF

  • Final Act

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Reengrossed

    PDF

  • Rerevised

    PDF

  • Revised

    PDF

  • Senate Transportation & Energy Preamend

    PDF

  • Signed Act

    PDF

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