Colorado Springs Utilities

What Colorado Springs Utilities does

Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) is a municipally-owned, vertically-integrated multi-utility serving approximately 700,000+ residential, commercial, and industrial customers across the Colorado Springs, Colorado metropolitan area. Founded in 1924 and owned by the City of Colorado Springs, the utility delivers four core services from a single provider: electricity generation, transmission and distribution; natural gas distribution; water treatment and distribution; and wastewater collection and treatment. Rates are regulated through a five-year rate case approved by City Council (most recently November 2024), with revenue mechanics based on usage-based tariffs including Energy Wise time-of-use pricing (on-peak weekday evenings priced at 29 cents/kWh versus a 7 cents/kWh standard rate) and an $8.54/month natural gas infrastructure rider.

The utility's technology stack centers on a large-scale physical infrastructure footprint including a 1,001 MW all-time peak electric load record (July 2024), a 175 MW solar array (Pike Solar, online December 2023 on 1,310 acres), 100 MW of lithium-ion battery energy storage (Jackson Fuller and Horizon), and 400 MW of new natural gas-based generation. Smart meter infrastructure enabling two-way customer communication was completed in 2025. Major in-flight capital projects include the Horizon Utility Campus ($650M), a $411M city-wide fiber network, $396M wastewater expansion Phase I, and Peak Innovation Park infrastructure supporting up to 600 MW of additional electric capacity under a 2025 Executive Agreement with the City.

CSU's go-to-market is direct-to-consumer within its certificated monopoly territory, with no external customer acquisition motion; customers are assigned by default within the service area. The utility monetizes primarily through usage-based tariffs across all four services, supplemented by subscription-style infrastructure riders. Customer engagement is supported through a Conservation & Environmental Center, residential and business rebate programs (HVAC, heat pumps, water heaters, insulation, smart thermostats, irrigation, toilets), Peak Energy Rewards demand response, the Green Power Program, and the Clean Heat Plan. FY2025 leadership includes CEO Travas Deal (annualized $700,000 compensation beginning 2027 with six-month severance clause) and Chief Planning and Financial Officer Tristan Gearhart, supported by a 10-member Utilities Board. The utility employs 1,001-5,000 people and is governed as a government state entity rather than a for-profit corporation.

Name

Colorado Springs Utilities

Legal name

Colorado Springs Utilities

Website

https://csu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Colorado Springs Utilities is a municipally-owned, vertically-integrated multi-utility providing electric, natural gas, water, and wastewater services to 700,000+ residential, commercial, and industrial customers across the Colorado Springs, Colorado service territory under a regulated five-year rate case.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Multi-Utility Services

NAICS

Utilities (22), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Natural Gas Distribution (2212), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Electric Services (4911), Natural Gas Distribution (4924), Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Power Districts & State/Provincial Utilities (EUADABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Municipal & Public Gas Utility Sales (EUAAADAE), Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)

Keywords

• Electric utility services
• Natural gas distribution
• Water utility services
• Wastewater treatment
• Municipal utility

Headquarters

HQ city

Colorado Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Electric Service Revenue: Revenue from providing electricity distribution and generation services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Colorado Springs. Rates are regulated and include on-peak/off-peak pricing through Energy Wise program.
2. Water Service Revenue: Revenue from water treatment, distribution, and delivery services to approximately 12,000+ customers in the service territory.
3. Natural Gas Service Revenue: Revenue from natural gas distribution services, including the Natural Gas Integrity Federal Compliance Charge bill rider for infrastructure upgrades.
4. Wastewater Service Revenue: Revenue from wastewater collection and treatment services for residential and commercial customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Colorado Springs Utilities is a municipal utility that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity; treats and delivers drinking water; distributes natural gas; and collects and treats wastewater for approximately 700,000+ residential, commercial, and industrial customers within the Colorado Springs service territory. It supplements these core utility services with customer-facing programs including time-of-use Energy Wise rates, the Green Power renewable subscription, Peak Energy Rewards demand response, the Clean Heat Plan, Water Wise conservation rules, and residential and business rebate programs.

Product overview

Colorado Springs Utilities is a public-owned utility providing integrated water, natural gas, electric, and wastewater services to Colorado Springs. The utility operates as a single integrated platform offering core utility services alongside customer programs including Energy Wise time-of-use rates, Clean Heat Plan, Green Power Program, Peak Energy Rewards demand response, and Water Wise conservation rules. Rebate programs cover residential improvements (HVAC, insulation, toilets, water heaters, smart thermostats, irrigation) and business efficiency (custom energy/water rebates, commercial building program, builder incentives). Infrastructure projects include the Horizon Utility Campus with battery storage and Williams Creek natural gas generation, Jackson Fuller 100 MW battery storage (online 2025), Pike Solar 175 MW facility (2023), and a $411M fiber network. The utility completed smart meter deployment in 2025, enabling two-way communication with customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ollie the Otter: Water conservation mascot for Colorado Springs Utilities
• Sniffasaurus
• The Clear Choice
• Energy Wise
• Water Wise Rules
• Conservation & Environmental Center
• Project COPE

Products and services

• Electric Service Generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers within the Colorado Springs service territory. Includes regulated rates, time-of-use Energy Wise pricing, and demand charge options for commercial customers.
• Water Service Drinking water treatment and distribution to approximately 12,000+ residential and commercial service connections in the Colorado Springs service territory, governed by Water Wise Rules during drought conditions.
• Natural Gas Service

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,001 MW all-time electric use record achieved July 12, 2024 demonstrating grid reliability under extreme demand
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Southwest Power Pool (SPP)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026Colorado Springs Utilities is participating in SPP's major grid expansion that links western and eastern electric grids to enhance clean energy access across Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Utah, and Arizona. The expansion aims to improve grid reliability and lower energy costs through increased renewable resource utilization.
• City of Colorado SpringsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Colorado Springs Utilities operates as a public utility owned by the City of Colorado Springs. The City and CSU signed an Executive Agreement outlining shared commitment to fund and build critical utility infrastructure including electric, water, wastewater, and natural gas for Peak Innovation Park and Airport areas. The infrastructure plan includes investments supporting up to 600 megawatts of electric capacity.
• Colorado Springs AirportcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CSU coordinates with Colorado Springs Airport on development approvals for the Horizon Utility Campus project. The airport determined it needed assistance reviewing the power plant's thermal plume analysis, leading to FAA Safety Risk Management Panel review.
• Federal Highway AdministrationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerManitou Springs secured approximately $3.6 million from a Federal Highway Administration grant for Ruxton Avenue improvements. Colorado Springs Utilities coordinated its own infrastructure project in the corridor.
• Colorado Natural GasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerColorado Springs Utilities offers coordinated rebate programs with Colorado Natural Gas for high-efficiency water heaters including tankless and heat pump models. Both utilities offer $300 rebates to encourage energy-efficient installations.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• JEA: Community-owned utility serving Jacksonville, FL with electric, water, and wastewater services. Directly comparable as a multi-product municipal utility with similar governance, capital planning, and customer base scale.
• Seattle City Light: Municipal electric utility of the City of Seattle, including substantial hydroelectric generation. Comparable as a publicly owned utility providing vertically integrated electric service with a strong focus on renewables and conservation.
• Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC): Municipal utility providing electric, water, chilled water, and lighting services to Orlando and surrounding areas. Comparable multi-utility municipal operator serving a mid-sized U.S. metro with similar regulatory and ownership structure.
• Salt River Project (SRP): Arizona-based agricultural improvement district providing electricity and water services. Comparable multi-utility municipal-style operator with water + electric portfolio serving a defined service territory in the Southwest, with similar drought exposure.
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD): Public-owned municipal utility providing electric generation, transmission, and distribution across the Sacramento region. Closely comparable multi-utility model (with added solar/renewables focus), similar customer scale, and similar regulatory structure as a publicly governed utility.
• CPS Energy: Largest combined municipal electric and natural gas utility in the U.S., serving greater San Antonio. Directly comparable multi-product municipal model (electric + gas), similar integrated infrastructure delivery and rate-case governance.
• Austin Energy: Municipal electric utility owned by the City of Austin, providing generation, distribution, and conservation programs. Comparable as a city-owned utility with renewable generation buildouts, time-of-use rates, and similar governance by a Utilities Board/City Council.

Broad incumbents

• Xcel Energy: Investor-owned regulated utility operating across Colorado (including Colorado Springs-adjacent territory) and seven other states, providing electric and natural gas service. Comparable utility operations in the same region, though investor-owned rather than municipal.
• Black Hills Energy: Investor-owned utility providing natural gas and electric service across Colorado and neighboring states. Comparable as a regulated utility serving overlapping Colorado geographies, particularly on the natural gas distribution side.
• Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP): Largest municipal utility in the U.S., providing electric and water service to Los Angeles. Comparable as a publicly owned multi-utility operator, but at materially larger scale and with broader geographic and operational footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CSUtilities
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SpringsUtilities
• Facebookfacebook.com/coloradospringsutilities
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colorado-springs-utilities
• Instagraminstagram.com/csutilities

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Colorado Springs Utilities