The bill enacts various consumer protection measures to protect
electric and gas utility customers in Colorado. Section 1 of the bill requires an electric or gas public utility
(utility) to protect the personal data of its customers. The utility is prohibited from disclosing, selling, or reselling a customer's personal data to:
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A state or federal government entity, unless the disclosure is necessary for participation in a state or federal assistance program; or
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A third party.
Under current law, utilities regulated by the public utilities
commission (commission) are prohibited from disconnecting a customer's utility service for nonpayment under certain circumstances. Sections 2 through 4 add the following circumstances in which disconnection of utility service for nonpayment is prohibited:
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During periods of extreme heat or cold, including during the months of October through May;
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If the air quality index measures over 100; and
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During a period in which a residential customer has a medical emergency, as evidenced by a medical certificate from a licensed physician or health-care provider, and requiring the utility to postpone the disconnection of service for up to 180 days.
The bill also applies the prohibitions regarding disconnection of a utility customer's service due to nonpayment to electric and gas municipal utilities and cooperative electric associations that have not exempted themselves from regulation by the commission. Section 5 requires a utility to use money collected from the energy
assistance system benefit charge for direct bill payment assistance year-round, including for customers participating in the low-income energy assistance program when assistance through that program is unavailable.
