Because of last year’s federal tax reform, we are able to pass savings on to our customers. We have addressed those savings in our filing, and factored them into the rates you will pay in the future.
Our goal is to provide value to our customers through delivery of safe and reliable natural gas service at the lowest cost we can, which is why we work hard to be prudent in our investments and keep our operating costs low while never compromising the safety and reliability of our service. For example, we recently realigned our customer service department to cut costs while not putting at stake the quality service you’ve come to expect as a customer. In addition, we are consistently investing in new technologies to reduce overhead costs and create efficiencies where possible.
We understand that energy bills, particularly during the cold winter months, can have real impact on customers. This is why we offer billing options like budget billing that can help to spread out heating costs throughout the year and create greater stability and predictability when it comes to home heating expenses. To learn more about budget billing and other payment options click here: http://coloradonaturalgas.com/payment-options/.
We also offer energy efficiency rebates to customers and provide free energy assessments that can help you understand your energy usage and prioritize measures that you can take to improve the efficiency of your home. To learn more about our efficiency programs click here: http://coloradonaturalgas.com/efficiency/.
Also, if you are struggling to pay your bill, you may qualify for low-income heating assistance. For more information click here: http://coloradonaturalgas.com/PaymentAssistance/
Just as our rates are set by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, so are the rates of every other private utility. When setting rates, the Commission factors into its decision the unique nature of each utility, like the age of their system, their operating costs, their rate base, etc.
What makes Colorado Natural Gas unique as a utility is that we bring natural gas to underserved or unserved areas of the state where other utilities usually won’t go. These areas tend to be more rural and less populated, and the rural geography can make it costlier to deliver gas, particularly compared to utilities like Xcel Energy that serve far more customers and tend to have service territories in more urban areas. For this reason, our rates tend to be a bit higher.
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has 210 days from the day of our filing to review materials, hold hearings and gather input from the public before issuing a decision. We requested that the new rate become effective by June 15, but we anticipate the Commission will need more time to review our filing.
Beyond the rate adjustment, one thing we are seeking in this rate case to help our customers and their budgeting is to have the ability to adjust rates based on weather, through a process called “weather normalization.” What this means for you is that when temperatures are colder than normal and you use more gas to heat your home, the rate you pay goes down. In return, when it is warmer than normal and your usage is lower, the rate will increase. As a result, your bills will be more consistent regardless of whether it is warm or cold. You’ll still enjoy the same consistent, clean benefits of natural gas in your home, and won’t need to do anything new. We think this will be good for our customers, and their budgets going forward. This practice is used by utilities across the country.
If the Commission approves our proposed rates as requested, starting in late 2018:
At Colorado Natural Gas, we work hard to keep our rates low while continuing to invest in our infrastructure and building natural gas service to new communities. The revenue from our rates goes toward:
Our rates for delivering natural gas to families and businesses throughout rural areas of Colorado have remained flat for five years.
At this point, the cost of maintaining our more than 1,200 miles of pipeline to more than 20,000 homes and businesses throughout rural Colorado is exceeding what customers are paying in rates.
Over the past five years, we have been working to expand access to natural gas to unserved or underserved areas of Colorado with a commitment to quality customer service, system reliability and excellence in safety. Because of this work, we’ve been able to bring natural gas access to communities throughout the state that otherwise wouldn’t have it. During that time, our focus has been on expansion and making affordable and clean burning natural gas an option for thousands of families and businesses. Now that we’ve built this system, our focus in coming years is to continue to provide the quality customer service that you’ve come to expect, expand where it makes sense for the Company and our customers, and continue to maintain the integrity of the system so customers continue to enjoy safe and reliable services.
All rates are decided by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.
When the cost of operating and maintaining our natural gas system exceeds what customers are paying in rates, we must request a change in our rates from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, in the form of a rate case.
A rate case is a transparent process with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission that includes ample opportunity for public input and participation along the way. Through this proceeding, the Commission will review our operations, financial statements, forecasts and additional information to ultimately determine how much it costs us to serve our customers and how much we need to charge customers to cover these costs.
While it is a construction site, our crews do their best to minimize any impact to your property. Any disturbances will be restored within a few weeks of the installation being completed.
You can use our service map to see if we provide service in your area, or call our customer service department at 1-800-927-0787 . If you would like to request service, you can fill out our Request Service form.
In most cases, the service line can be installed free of charge up to the location of our meter.
Homeowners should have their furnace or central heating system inspected annually. When heating systems are properly adjusted, the by-product of combustion is water vapor and carbon dioxide — the same things we exhale as we breathe. When a heating system powered by a fossil fuel gets out of adjustment and the system isn’t operating properly, carbon monoxide may be produced. An annual check-up of your heating system by a qualified professional ensures it is operating safely and efficiently with the proper mix of fuel to air.
With the exception of gas furnaces and clothes dryers, gas appliances keep right on working for you when the electricity is off.
A natural gas outdoor light provides year-round soft, natural light for beauty and security even when the power is off. And nothing is faster and easier than cooking on an outside gas grill.
Yes, Gas clothes dryers dry clothes faster and actually treat your clothes more gently than electric dryers.
In a word, control. Professional chefs prefer the instant flexibility of gas cooking for exact, controlled food preparation.
A gas water heater works nearly twice as fast as an electric one, so you’re less likely to run out of hot water. Sources: Appliance Magazine and Manufacturers Specifications.
Rebates vary by state. To find out what rebates are available to you visit ExcessIsOut.com.
Natural gas equipment is easier to maintain and repair, which means lower maintenance costs. Most natural gas equipment lasts longer than similar electric appliances. Natural gas is the most environmentally-friendly fossil fuel.
Natural gas has no odor of its own, so gas companies add an odorant as a safety precaution. The distinctive odor intentionally smells bad to immediately signal a possible gas leak.
Natural gas has no odor of its own, so gas companies add an odorant as a safety precaution. The distinctive odor intentionally smells bad to immediately signal a possible gas leak.
Check out our dollhouse for a full interactive listing of what appliances can run on natural gas in your home.
A gas furnace heats your home with warmer air than that generated by an electric heat pump which makes a home feel drafty. Gas furnaces are less expensive to maintain and last about twice as long as electric heat pumps.
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