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Colorado Public Utilities Commission
| Colorado Public Utilities Commission | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Non-partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Total Seats: | 3 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Colorado Revised Statutes, Section 40-2-101 |
| Leadership: | Joshua B. Epel |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by the governor |
| Other Colorado Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Controller • Commissioner of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Exec. Director • Labor Executive Director • Public Utilities Commission | |
Contents |
The commission is composed of three members who are appointed by the governor to four year terms.
Current officeholder
The three serving commissioners are Joshua Epel (Chairman), James Tarpey and Pamela Patton. Epel has served since April 2011, Tarpey since January 2008 and Patton since June 2012. Commissioners served four year terms, meaning Patton's term will end in 2016, Epel's in 2015 and Tarpey's in 2012.
Authority
Colorado statute establishes the public utilities commission.[1]
Colorado Revised Statutes, Section 40-2-101
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(1) A public utilities commission is hereby created, which shall be known as the public utilities commission of the state of Colorado... |
Qualifications
Commissioners must be qualified electors in Colorado, meaning they must be residents of the state and at least 18 years old. Additionally, no more than two commissioners may be of the same political party.[1]
Colorado Revised Statutes, Section 40-2-101
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(2) No more than two members of the public utilities commission shall be affiliated with the same political party, and any appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired term. Each commissioner shall be a qualified elector of this state. |
Appointments
Commissioners are appointed to four year terms by the governor and confirmed by a majority vote of the state senate.[1]
Colorado Revised Statutes, Section 40-2-101
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A public utilities commission is hereby created... to consist of three members who shall be appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate. |
Term limits
There are no term limits specified for public utilities commissioners.
Vacancies
There is no particular procedure for dealing with vacancies in the office of public utilities commissioner.
Duties
The Public Utilities Commission is responsible for regulating Colorado's telecommunications, electric, gas and water utilities. It also has partial control over municipal utilities and electric associations. The commission reviews and approves requests for rate increases, establishes standards for business practices, certifies service providers and analyzes market and economic conditions, as well as companies' financial statements. It holds quasi-judicial administrative law hearings to give stakeholders (companies, community organizations, etc.) an opportunity to debate potential rules.
Divisions
- Energy
- Telecommunications
- Economics
- Transportation
- Administrative Hearings
- External Affairs
- Policy Advisory
- Rail/Transit Safety and Water
- Gas Pipeline Safety
- Administrative Services
- Research and Emerging Issues
Compensation
In 2010, the executive director received compensation in the amount of $114,948.[2] Commissioners' salaries are determined by law.
Contact info
Address:
1560 Broadway, Suite 250
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 894-2000
See also
External links
References
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