Is Public Service Co of Colorado cheaper than Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC?

Yes — in 2024 Public Service Co of Colorado customers averaged 15.05 cents/kWh versus 17.05 for Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC (EIA-861). Public Service Co of Colorado was cheaper by 2.00 cents, about $216 per year at 10,800 kWh.

Can I switch from Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC to Public Service Co of Colorado?

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 Public Service Co of Colorado?

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 Public Service Co of Colorado territory all feed the 2.00-cent gap.

Public Service Co of Colorado vs Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC: Which Is Cheaper? (Colorado, 2024)

Public Service Co of Colorado customers paid less: an average 15.05¢/kWh in 2024 versus 17.05¢/kWh at Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC (EIA-861) — a gap of 2.00¢/kWh, worth about $216 per year at typical usage (10,800 kWh/yr). Their territories meet in 7 CO counties (Crowley, Custer, El Paso, …). You cannot switch wires companies — the territory is set by your address.

Side by side (CO, EIA-861)

Public Service Co of Colorado vs Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC — residential averages from federal EIA-861 filings
Metric	Public Service Co of Colorado	Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC
2024 average price, ¢/kWh	15.05	17.05
2023 average price, ¢/kWh	14.34	17.42
Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr	$1,625	$1,841
Residential customers (2024)	1,365,053	89,252
Ownership	Investor-owned	Investor-owned
Counties served in CO	56	7

Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Public Service Co of Colorado · Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC · Colorado overview.

Where the territories meet

Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Crowley · Custer · El Paso · Fremont · Otero · Pueblo · Teller 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; Public Service Co of Colorado and Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC 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 Public Service Co of Colorado cheaper than Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC?: Yes — in 2024 Public Service Co of Colorado customers averaged 15.05 cents/kWh versus 17.05 for Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC (EIA-861). Public Service Co of Colorado was cheaper by 2.00 cents, about $216 per year at 10,800 kWh.
Can I switch from Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC to Public Service Co of Colorado?: 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 Public Service Co of Colorado?: 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 Public Service Co of Colorado territory all feed the 2.00-cent gap.

About these numbers. Rates shown are averages computed from federal regulatory filings (EIA Form 861) and public tariff databases — confirm with your utility before making decisions; your actual rate depends on your tariff, usage, and riders. Distribution utility is determined by address and generally cannot be chosen; in retail-choice states you may choose your supplier for the supply portion of the bill. Savings figures use 10,800 kWh/yr (US average residential usage) and are estimates, not quotes. EnergySavings is an independent data project by CertiHomes and is not affiliated with any utility, supplier, or government agency.