Colorado Springs Utilities 2025 State of the Utility Report

Introduction

Population growth in Colorado Springs has led to increased demand for essential services including electricity, water, gas, and wastewater management. Colorado Springs Utilities, a city-owned utility, addresses these demands through ongoing and planned projects aimed at ensuring reliable service, maintaining financial stability, and balancing customer rates with infrastructure costs.

Water Resource Management and Sustainability

The majority of water used in Colorado Springs is sourced from the Colorado and Arkansas River Basins. The utility’s CEO, Travas Deal, emphasized the importance of owning water rights and collaborating with other users within these basins to promote sustainability, aligning with SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

• Water sharing projects with agricultural communities in the Lower Arkansas River Valley support sustainable water use.
• Approximately 70% of the utility’s water is transbasin water transported across the Continental Divide via pipelines, ditches, and reservoirs.
• Maintaining about three years of water storage in over two dozen reservoirs ensures water security and resilience.
• Ongoing maintenance and upgrades of century-old water infrastructure are integral to sustainable water management.

Energy Infrastructure and Future Planning

Colorado Springs Utilities is exploring diverse energy solutions to meet growing demand while promoting sustainability, in line with SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.

1. Nuclear Power: Considered as a long-term energy source due to its longevity and efficiency despite high initial costs. Nuclear plants can operate for up to 80 years, offering a significant return on investment.
2. Battery Storage Facilities: Projects underway to enhance energy storage capabilities and grid reliability.
3. New Gas Lines and Wastewater Treatment Plants: Infrastructure expansion to support population growth and environmental protection.

Efficiency and Demand Management Programs

Colorado Springs Utilities is implementing programs to increase energy efficiency and encourage power usage during off-peak hours, contributing to sustainable consumption patterns consistent with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Governance and Community Engagement

• The Utilities Board, which includes city council members, oversees strategic planning and project implementation.
• Regular events such as the 2025 State of the Utility promote transparency and community involvement.

Conclusion

Colorado Springs Utilities is actively advancing projects and programs that support sustainable development goals, particularly focusing on clean water management, affordable and clean energy, and responsible consumption. Through strategic planning, infrastructure investment, and community collaboration, the utility aims to ensure reliable and sustainable services for the growing population.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The article discusses water supply, water rights, water sharing projects, reservoirs, and wastewater treatment plants, all related to ensuring availability and sustainable management of water.
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The article highlights electricity demand, nuclear power possibilities, battery storage facilities, and energy efficiency programs.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The article mentions infrastructure projects including pipelines, ditches, reservoirs, wastewater treatment plants, and gas lines.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The article addresses urban utility services, balancing customer rates, and maintaining reliable services for a growing population.
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The article refers to efficiency programs and managing resources sustainably.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 6 Targets:
   • 6.1 – Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water.
   • 6.3 – Improve water quality by reducing pollution and increasing recycling and safe reuse.
   • 6.4 – Increase water-use efficiency across all sectors to ensure sustainable withdrawals.
   • 6.5 – Implement integrated water resources management at all levels.
2. SDG 7 Targets:
   • 7.1 – Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.
   • 7.2 – Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • 7.3 – Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
3. SDG 9 Targets:
   • 9.1 – Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
   • 9.4 – Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable.
4. SDG 11 Targets:
   • 11.6 – Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including air quality and waste management.
5. SDG 12 Targets:
   • 12.2 – Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • 12.5 – Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Water Storage and Supply Indicators:
   • Volume of water stored in reservoirs (e.g., maintaining about three years of water storage).
   • Percentage of water sourced sustainably from river basins (Colorado and Arkansas River Basins).
   • Number and capacity of wastewater treatment plants.
   • Water sharing projects implemented with agricultural communities.
2. Energy Indicators:
   • Proportion of electricity generated from nuclear power or other clean energy sources.
   • Energy efficiency improvements (e.g., programs encouraging off-peak power usage).
   • Battery storage capacity installed.
3. Infrastructure Indicators:
   • Number and condition of infrastructure facilities such as pipelines, reservoirs, and gas lines.
   • Investment in infrastructure upgrades and maintenance.
4. Financial and Service Reliability Indicators:
   • Customer rates balanced with infrastructure costs.
   • Reliability of utility services to meet growing population demand.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: cpr.org