Woodland Park and Lower Ute Pass customers could see a 12% drop.
Black Hills Energy Community Affairs
Are you ready for some positive economic news for a change? Black Hills Energy, which serves many communities in Colorado and much of Teller County, is pleased to announce that the cost of natural gas is decreasing effective February 1.
We understand the current economic pressures facing the communities we serve and want to focus on providing our customers with the lowest bills possible. So when the price of natural gas drops, as it did recently, Black Hills Energy moves as quickly as possible to pass those savings on to you.
Depending on where you live in Colorado, your bill will drop between $0.04 and $0.14 per term, or about 3% to 12% per month, starting February 1. table below to determine the exact amount natural gas will decrease in your area. The price of natural gas itself is known as “pass-through cost” which means that we earn nothing and our customers pay market rates and no more.
Black Hills Energy understands that for some of our customers, this may not be enough to offset budget pressures. This is why we offer several options if you need help with your bill, including extended payment arrangements, budget invoicing, and payment assistance. For more information, visit blackhillsenergy.com/assistance-programs.
At Black Hills Energy, our goal is to provide the safe and reliable energy that enables our customers to live their lives comfortably. Our employees are your neighbors and we are committed to serving our communities now and for decades to come.
Frequent questions
Why are energy bills so much higher this winter?
Natural gas costs and weather-driven usage are the main drivers behind the cost increases our customers are seeing this winter.
- Natural Gas: Natural gas prices have risen sharply over the past year and more, doubling and even tripling from the historically low prices we have become accustomed to over the past 8-10 years. Black Hills Energy customers in Colorado see the cost of natural gas reflected in their monthly bills via an annual gas cost adjustment, although it can be reduced throughout the year if lower market prices permit.
- Customer Usage: Additionally, Colorado has seen more winter weather and colder temperatures than last winter. When outside temperatures are colder, we use more energy to keep our homes and businesses warmer, even if the thermostat is set to the same temperature.
If my thermostat is constantly set at 68 degrees, how could my usage increase?
Weather conditions play a significant role in how much natural gas we use: the greater the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the more energy a heating system consumes.
What can customers do to protect themselves from higher natural gas costs?
It’s not every day that companies encourage customers to buy less than they sell, but that’s exactly what Black Hills Energy is doing this winter. We’re stepping up our efforts to communicate with customers, sharing tips on how to use less energy in their homes to save money.
Among the things you can do today to reduce energy usage are letting your dishes air-dry in the dishwasher, paying close attention to your thermostat and outside temperature, and making sure your insulation is up to par. Go to blackhillsenergy.com/winter-ready and blackhillsenergy.com/teamready for more conservation advice.
The lower rates in the table below reflect changes approved January 25 by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission:
GCA regionBase rate areaExisting average monthly billNew average monthly billMonthly changePercentage changeAverage useGCA Central Region Communities in Bent, Crowley, and Otero Counties, including the cities of Fowler, La Junta, Las Animas, Rocky Ford, and Swink2 $96.81 $87.52 ($9.29) -9.60% 66 Central Region GCA Castle Rock south of Monument, Fountain, Woodland Park, east to Kiowa, Limon and Burlington and surrounding areas to these communities3$107.53$94.72($12.81)-11.91%91GCA Region Communities north/southwest in Larimer and Weld counties, including the cities of Dacono, Erie, Firestone, Frederick, and Wellington1$127.82$124.08 ($3.74) -2.93% 86 North/South GCA region communities -west in Cheyenne, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, Archuleta, La Plata, Mineral, and Yuma counties, including the cities of Akron, Wray Pagosa Springs, Bayfield, and Yuma2 $109.92 $107.03($2 ,89)-2.63%66Western Slope – GCA region non-deposit communities located in Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Montrose, Ouray, Pitkin and San Miguel counties, including the cities of Delta, Glenwood Springs, Hotchkis s, Montrose, Olathe, Paonia, and Telluride1$135.53$129.04($6.49)-4.79%86Western Slope – With archival GCA region communities located in Eagle, Garfield, and Pitkin counties, including cities of Aspen, Carbondale and Eagle1$138.94$133.48($5.46)-3.93%86
