COLORADO SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED FIRST READING OF THE 2025 COLORADO SPRINGS UTILITIES BUDGET. THAT PLAN INCLUDES A NEW 5 YEAR PLAN TO INCREASE RATES EACH YEAR THROUGH 2029. IF APPROVED, RATES COULD SEE AN ANNUAL INCREASE OF 5 OR 6%. IN THE FIRST YEAR CUSTOMERS COULD SEE AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF 14 DOLLARS A MONTH AND SEE AND 80 DOLLAR INCREASE BY THE END OF THE PLAN. LEADERS SAY THIS HIKE IS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT GROWTH IN THE COMMUNITY, HELP ENSURE RELIABLE SERVICES AND MEET CLEAN ENERGY RULES. THE PLAN ALSO SAYS RATES WILL BE HIGH WHEN ENERGY USE PEAKS DURING THE DAY, MAINLY BETWEEN 5 P.M. AND 9 P.M. PEOPLE AGAINST THE INCREASE SAY IT IS TOO LONG AND TOO RISKY AND THAT TOO MUCH COULD CHANGE OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. THE FINAL VOTE FOR CITY COUNCIL IS SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 12TH.
