Side by side (CO, EIA-861)
| Metric | Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC | Mountain View Elec Assn, Inc |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 average price, ¢/kWh | 17.05 | 15.52 |
| 2023 average price, ¢/kWh | 17.42 | 15.76 |
| Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr | $1,841 | $1,676 |
| Residential customers (2024) | 89,252 | 59,789 |
| Ownership | Investor-owned | Co-op |
| Counties served in CO | 7 | 8 |
Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC · Mountain View Elec Assn, Inc · Colorado overview.
Where the territories meet
Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Crowley · El Paso · Pueblo counties (CO, 2024).
Adjoining or overlapping territory in a county does not mean households there can pick between the two — service maps are parcel-level and fixed. The county overlap mainly matters when choosing where to live or comparing town-level costs.
Can you actually choose between them?
No — not for delivery. Distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC and Mountain View Elec Assn, Inc do not compete for the same meters. Colorado is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (puc.colorado.gov). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.
Questions people ask
- Is Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC cheaper than Mountain View Elec Assn, Inc?
- No — in 2024 Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC customers averaged 17.05 cents/kWh versus 15.52 for Mountain View Elec Assn, Inc (EIA-861). Mountain View Elec Assn, Inc was cheaper by 1.53 cents, about $165 per year at 10,800 kWh.
- Can I switch from Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC to Mountain View Elec Assn, Inc?
- No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. Colorado has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
- Why is Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC more expensive than Mountain View Elec Assn, Inc?
- EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between Black Hills Colorado Electric and Mountain View Elec Assn territory all feed the 1.53-cent gap.