Interested in learning more about the Commission? Staff provided an overview of the major industries the PUC regulates and some of its key roles during August workshops (see slides here).
A proceeding is the process that allows the Commission to make decisions. In making its decisions, the Commission must use information it receives on the record, which may include written testimony, legal briefs, and public comments. The Commission processes hundreds of proceedings each year, including adjudications, advice letters (changes to rates) and rulemakings.
The Equity Initiatives Proceeding is administrative, meaning you can participate without an attorney by submitting comments or other information.
Learn about the Commission here.
Staff provided an overview of common types of cases at the Commission during an October 2023 workshop (learn more here on slides 19-27).
Senate Bill 21-272 requires the Commission, among other activities, to make rules related to equity. In this proceeding, the Commission will gather information that will allow it to start a rulemaking process in the future. Future rules could address how Commission proceedings are ruled or could be specific to industries the Commission regulates.
The Commission has not adopted a formal definition of equity, but according to the Universal Policy of the Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration (DPA), equity is “[w]hen everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from, has the opportunity to thrive. Equity recognizes that some individuals have an advantage because of their identity, while others face barriers. Unlike equality, which suggests giving the same thing to everyone, equity works to provide opportunities to those facing barriers by providing additional resources to those who do not have these advantages. This requires eliminating barriers like poverty and repairing systemic injustices.”
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, environmental justice is “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”
The Environmental Justice Program is a team created at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to implement environmental justice laws and policy. The Environmental Justice Program supports other state agencies like the Commission as appropriate. Learn more about the Environmental Justice Program here.
While the term "disproportionately impacted community" was originally defined for the Commission by Senate Bill 21-272, it was later modified by House Bill 23-1233 to create a definition that can be used by all state agencies. The Environmental Justice Program summarizes the key components of House Bill 23-1233 here.
The Environmental Justice Action Task Force (EJATF) was created by House Bill 21-1266 and facilitated by the Environmental Justice Program at CDPHE. The EJATF issued a Final Report of Recommendations on November 14, 2022. On March 1, 2023, Governor Polis sent a letter to CDPHE with instructions to implement the recommendations of the Task Force.
CDPHE created an interactive mapping tool called Colorado EnviroScreen to identify disproportionately impacted communities in the state. The Commission is considering whether to use EnviroScreen to help identify disproportionately impacted communities for proceedings.
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435)
Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC)
Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) for heating system replacement and repair