SETTLING IN

Utility Choice

With the deregulation of utilities and surge of third-party suppliers, consumers have an unprecedented number of choices in utility providers. The following list includes only the major companies that serve the state. For specific providers in your community, contact your municipal clerk — or your county clerk if you reside in an unincorporated area.

Internet Information & Referral

Colorado Public Utilities Commission
https://energyoffice.colorado.gov/electric-utilities
Utilities management and consumer information

Energy Price Shopping
https://www.energyshop.com
Comparative costs for gas and electric suppliers

Governor’s Office of Energy Management & Conservation
https://energyoffice.colorado.gov
Provides a wealth of information for Colorado residents

Major Utility Providers

Electric & Natural Gas

Colorado Springs Utilities
719-448-4800
800-238-5434
https://www.csu.org

Holy Cross Electric
970-949-5892
https://www.holycross.com/
Serving select mountain communities

Poudre Valley REA
Fort Collins
970-226-1234
https://pvrea.coop/

United Power
Denver
303-659-0551
800-468-8809
https://www.unitedpower.com/

Xcel Energy
Denver
800-895-1999
https://co.my.xcelenergy.com/s

Water, Sewer & Waste

Water, sanitation, and sewer services are under the jurisdiction of the city or special district where you reside. Charges may or may not appear on a single bill. Most sanitation districts provide recycling services. Some of the major municipal contacts are provided below. For details on your community, contact your local city and/or county sanitation departments.

Arvada Utilities
720-898-7000
www.arvada.org

Aurora Utilities
303-739-7000
www.auroragov.org

Boulder Utilities
303-441-3260
https://bouldercolorado.gov/water

Broomfield City/County Water Supply
303-464-5600
www.broomfield.org

Colorado Springs Utilities
719-448-4800
800-238-5434
www.csu.org

Denver City Water Department
303-628-6000
www.denverwater.org

Englewood Water & Sewer
303-762-2635
https://www.englewoodco.gov/government/city-departments/utilities

Fort Collins Utilities
970-221-6700
www.fcgov.com/utilities

Greeley Water & Sewer
970-350-9811
www.greeleygov.com

Loveland Water & Power
970-962-2000
https://www.lovgov.org

Thornton Water Resources
720-977-6600
https://www.thorntonco.gov

Westminister Utilities
303-658-2400
https://www.cityofwestminster.us

Telephone Service

Century Link
800-244-1111
www.centurylink.com

Utility Line Information

Utility Notification Center of Colorado (UNCC)
800-922-1987
https://www.colorado811.org
Since gas, electrical, and telephone lines are often buried underground, contact UNCC to verify the location of lines before digging trenches or holes.

Cable & Satellite TV

DISH Network
855-318-0572
www.dish.com

Xfinity
800-XFINITY
https://www.xfinity.com

General Information Resources

Statewide Information Line
303-866-5000
www.colorado.gov

Denver Metro Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
303-892-1505
800-233-6837
www.denver.org

Social Security Administration
800-772-1213
www.ssa.gov

High Altitude Living
Newcomers may experience some initial discomfort in the shift to a high-altitude environment, especially those from a geographic area closer to sea level. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, eye irritation, headache, fatigue, and nosebleeds. Most of these problems are associated with outdoor activity in the extreme elevations of the Rocky Mountains and foothills. Adjustment time varies, but most symptoms disappear after a few days or weeks of “taking it easy.” Consult your physician if discomfort seems severe or prolonged.

Regardless of how long you live in the Mile High City or surrounding higher elevations, food preparation requires some adjustment. Foods prepared by boiling take longer to reach cooking temperature. Pressure cookers require adjustment or a longer time to process food. Sea-level temperatures for candies or frostings must be lowered. Recipes rich in sugar and/or shortening have to be adjusted for flour content. Always look for “high altitude” directions on packaged mixes. A number of excellent high-altitude cookbooks are also on the market.