Side by side (CO, EIA-861)
| Metric | Public Service Co of Colorado | United Power, Inc |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 average price, ¢/kWh | 15.05 | 15.75 |
| 2023 average price, ¢/kWh | 14.34 | 13.61 |
| Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr | $1,625 | $1,701 |
| Residential customers (2024) | 1,365,053 | 101,502 |
| Ownership | Investor-owned | Co-op |
| Counties served in CO | 56 | 6 |
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 · United Power, Inc · Colorado overview.
Where the territories meet
Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Adams · Boulder · Gilpin · Jefferson · Weld 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 United Power, 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 Public Service Co of Colorado cheaper than United Power, Inc?
- Yes — in 2024 Public Service Co of Colorado customers averaged 15.05 cents/kWh versus 15.75 for United Power, Inc (EIA-861). Public Service Co of Colorado was cheaper by 0.71 cents, about $76 per year at 10,800 kWh.
- Can I switch from United Power, Inc 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 United Power, Inc 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 United Power and Public Service Co of Colorado territory all feed the 0.71-cent gap.