In July 2026, homes in Colorado paid an average of 17.00¢ per kWh, the 22nd most expensive of the 50 states and DC and 7.2% below the U.S. average of 18.31¢.
That price is up 6.3% from a year earlier.
Over the past 12 months the average home in Colorado used 677 kWh a month, for an average bill of $112 (U.S.: $157).
About electricity in Colorado
Colorado's electricity comes from a close mix of natural gas, wind and coal, and the state generates about as much power as it uses. Co-ops and city-owned utilities together serve a sizable minority of homes.
- natural gas 32%
- wind 30%
- coal 25%
- solar 10%
- hydropower 3%
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is the state agency that regulates electric utilities in Colorado.
What drives electricity prices in Colorado
Colorado gets its electricity from a close mix of natural gas, wind and coal, and solar is growing fast. The state is in the middle of retiring its coal plants: Xcel Energy, the largest utility, and other major suppliers have committed to closing most coal units around the end of the decade, replacing them mainly with wind, solar and batteries. The costs of that build-out are added to rates over time.
Xcel Energy serves most homes in the Denver area and along the Front Range, under rates set by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. Rural electric cooperatives, many of which buy power from Tri-State Generation and Transmission, and city utilities such as Colorado Springs Utilities serve much of the rest. There is no retail choice.
Prices are below the national average, and Colorado homes use less electricity than most.
Average electric bill in Colorado
Over the last 12 months the average Colorado home paid $112 a month for electricity, the 3rd lowest of the 50 states and DC. In July 2026 the average bill was $174 for 1,024 kWh.
Over the last 12 months, homes in Colorado used the most electricity in July, when air conditioning drives usage up: an average of 1,024 kWh and a $174 bill. The lightest month was April, at 546 kWh and $90.
What would I pay?
| Monthly use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh × 17.00¢typical | $85.00 | $1,020 |
| 1,000 kWh × 17.00¢ | $170.00 | $2,040 |
| 1,500 kWh × 17.00¢ | $255.00 | $3,060 |
| 2,000 kWh × 17.00¢ | $340.00 | $4,080 |
Estimate your own bill
Cost of electricity in Colorado by month
Businesses in Colorado paid 13.81¢ per kWh in July 2026 (the 20th most expensive for business power), and industrial users paid 9.54¢.
Electric companies in Colorado
33 utilities deliver electricity to homes in Colorado. The largest is Public Service Co of Colorado, serving 1,379,910 homes.
| Utility | Homes served | Avg. home rate |
|---|---|---|
| Public Service Co of Colorado | 1,379,910 | 15.90¢ |
| City of Colorado Springs | 220,059 | 15.43¢ |
| CORE Electric Cooperative | 168,587 | 15.62¢ |
| United Power, Inc | 103,104 | 16.50¢ |
| Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC | 97,888 | 18.71¢ |
| City of Fort Collins | 71,804 | 14.34¢ |
| Mountain View Elec Assn, Inc | 61,343 | 15.65¢ |
| Poudre Valley REA, Inc | 50,933 | 12.47¢ |
| Holy Cross Electric Assn, Inc | 50,431 | 12.45¢ |
| City of Longmont | 41,483 | 13.12¢ |
"Avg. home rate" is what each utility's full-service residential customers paid on average in 2025 (revenue ÷ kWh sold). Delivery-only utilities have no full-service rate.
Can you choose your electricity supplier in Colorado?
No. Households in Colorado buy electricity from the utility that serves their address. Rates are set by the state utility commission (for investor-owned utilities) or by the utility's own board (for co-ops and city-owned utilities).
Colorado compared with neighboring states
| State | Price per kWh | Avg. monthly bill (12 mo.) |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | 13.12¢ | $104 |
| Nebraska | 13.78¢ | $123 |
| Oklahoma | 14.35¢ | $144 |
| Wyoming | 14.36¢ | $114 |
| Kansas | 15.27¢ | $132 |
| Arizona | 15.38¢ | $162 |
| New Mexico | 16.09¢ | $99 |
| Colorado | 17.00¢ | $112 |
Colorado electricity FAQ
What is the average electric bill in Colorado?
The average home in Colorado paid $112 a month over the last 12 months, using 677 kWh. That is the 3rd lowest of the 50 states and DC. In July 2026 alone, the average bill was $174.
How much does electricity cost per kWh in Colorado?
Homes paid an average of 17.00¢ per kWh in July 2026, 7.2% below the U.S. average of 18.31¢. Businesses paid 13.81¢ per kWh.
Which month has the highest electric bills in Colorado?
July, in the last 12 months of data: the average bill reached $174 (1,024 kWh), compared with $90 in April, the lowest month.
Can I choose my electricity provider in Colorado?
No. Households in Colorado buy electricity from the utility that serves their address, at rates set by regulators or the utility's board.
What are the largest electric companies in Colorado?
By number of residential customers in 2025: Public Service Co of Colorado (1,379,910), City of Colorado Springs (220,059), CORE Electric Cooperative (168,587).
Latest CO electric rates, bills and usage: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail sales data (forms EIA-861M and EIA-861), latest month July 2026. Utilities and suppliers: EIA-861 (2025). Bills and usage are revenue and sales divided by customers. Last updated 2026-10-20.