Colorado Corn

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the Colorado Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) will be traveling to eight communities starting next week on a joint “listening tour” to hear from Coloradans about important energy issues.

This is a critical time for people in rural areas of Colorado to let state regulators know of their interest in renewable energy supplies such as wind, biomass and solar power. With the more than two dozen new laws passed last spring to encourage energy conservation and renewable energy, the opportunities are great for regulators to ensure that all parts of the state benefit from the new energy economy. Whether you are interested in developing a community project or just interested in encouraging Colorado to add more renewables to its energy portfolio, we urge you to attend these unprecedented meetings and make your voice heard.

The PUC and OCC are soliciting opinions on topics such as the selection of new electric generation resources, siting of new transmission lines, encouraging energy efficiency measures, low-income issues, and other energy issues that are important to Colorado utility customers. The agencies also are interested in hearing consumers’ thoughts about the impact that PUCK decisions on these issues might have on consumers’ electric and natural gas bills.

PUC Chairman Ron Binz, Commissioner Polly Page, Commissioner Carl Miller and OCC Director Jim Greenwood will attend the meetings, along with other PUC and OCC staff members. Local governmental, legislative and economic development leaders have been invited to participate.

The meetings are open to the public and there is no charge to attend. A complete list of meeting dates, times and locations follows:

Aug. 14 (Tuesday) Windsor 7-9 p.m.
Windsor Community Center, 250 11th St., Pine Room.

Aug. 21 (Tuesday) Yuma 7-9 p.m.
Yuma Community Center, 421 E. 2nd Ave.

Aug. 28 (Tuesday) Springfield 7-9 p.m.
Community Resource Center, 1260 Main St.

Aug. 29 (Wednesday) Alamosa 7-9 p.m.
Alamosa Family Recreation Center, 2222 Old Sanford Rd.

Aug. 30 (Thursday) Canon City 7-9 p.m.
Garden Park High School, 201 N. 6th St.

Sept. 11 (Tuesday) Steamboat Springs 7-9 p.m.
Yampa Valley Electric Association, community room, 32 Tenth St.

Sept. 12 (Wednesday) Montrose 7-9 p.m.
Delta Montrose Electric Association, meeting room, 11925 6300 Road.

Sept. 13 (Thursday) Vail 7-9 p.m.
Donovan Pavilion, 1600 S. Frontage Rd.