1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission seems to think that Excel Energy is entitled to every request for adjusted electric rates. If rates are approved as filed, an average residential customer can expect their monthly electric bill to increase about 9.93%. As you are aware, for 2026 (effective January), the Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is 2.8%, increasing benefits to help with inflation, though some federal retirees (FERS) get 2%, and it impacts Medicare premiums too, with the standard Part B premium rising to $202.90. The weighted system means that even if the prices of some items spike the headline inflation rate reflects the overall change in costs across the entire basket of goods. While the current headline inflation rate is 3.0%, the cost of beef and veal has increased by 14.7% compared to the previous year. I am concerned that the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, might not understand or even care about the people like myself, who are on disability and will be bringing in $1972.00 monthly, starting in January of 2026, with that 2.8% Cost Of Living Adjustment, might not be able to afford a 9.93% increase in energy costs. We’re already experiencing the burden of increasing costs of food stuffs like beef, up 14.7%, our prescriptions are going up from $1.60 to nearly $5.00 and as I personally have cut out cable and streaming to using over the air television and Samsung TV Plus that is still included on my TV set. I will have to change my phone plan, internet plan and keep tightening my belt, while Excel’s CEO’s salary has gone from $7.6million in 2022 to 12.9 million in 2024, and in October, Xcel Energy Inc. said Thursday third-quarter net income rose to $251.7 million, or 58 cents a share, from $224.5 million, or 53 cents, a year earlier. Xcel Energy Inc. said Thursday third-quarter net income rose to $251.7 million, or 58 cents a share, from $224.5 million, or 53 cents, a year earlier. Total operating revenue fell to $2.4 billion from $2.41 billion. Profit from continuing operations was 57 cents a share for the quarter. The company raised its full-year forecast of profit from coninuing operations to as much as $1.42 a share from as much as $1.40. Next year's profit would be in the range of $1.45 to $1.55 a share, Xcel said. Analysts, on average, estimated per-share profit of 57 cents in the third quarter and $1.40 for the year, according to Thomson Financial. They’re a monopoly making their shareholders, CEO and overall company profits with recent figures showing modest net income increases (like 9.32% ending Dec 2024) but slowing growth in 2025; the actual percentage of profit (net profit margin) hovered around 13.5-13.7% recently. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission should think of these things and that retired people are starving