• The Public Utilities Commission of Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies extends the retirement of Comanche Power Plant Unit 2 to the end of 2026, attributed to the outage at Comanche 3. (PUC Proceeding No. 25V-0480E) The Comanche coal power plant in Pueblo comprises 3 units. As part of a decade-long resource and clean energy planning process, each of the plant’s three units had a scheduled retirement date approved by the PUC. Unit 1 retired in 2022. Unit 2 was scheduled to retire on Dec. 31, 2025 and Comanche Unit 3 on Jan. 1, 2031.

    Link to read more: https://puc.colorado.gov/press-release/fact-sheet-comanche-power-plant-unit-2-retirement-extension

  • Anticipating that the closure of Comanche 3 in 2031 will have devastating impacts on the economy of Pueblo unless the community, Xcel Energy, and other stakeholders begin planning for replacement of the highly paid and highly skilled jobs and tax payments, an advisory report exploring innovative energy solutions was developed. After reviewing and studying the energy technologies that could be available by 2034, the Pueblo Innovative Energy Solutions Advisory Committee (PIESAC) recommends that Xcel Energy consider constructing in Pueblo advanced nuclear, including small nuclear modules, and or a new combined cycle gas plant with carbon capture.

    Link to the Report: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.xcelenergy.com/staticfiles/xe-responsive/Archive/PIESAC%20Written%20Report.pdf

  • In collaboration with Xcel Energy and the Southern Colorado Energy Collaborative, Pueblo County Colorado released A Community Energy Plan for Pueblo County in November 2020, which outlines tangible steps for Pueblo County to move the community towards its energy efficiency and resiliency goals. The plan identified the community’s main energy priorities as:

    • Improving residential energy affordability

    • Improving commercial and industrial energy efficiency

    • Providing a just equitable transition for Pueblo County’s energy workforce

    Link to the Plan: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://county.pueblo.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/Pueblo%20Community%20Energy%20Plan%20FINAL_0.pdf

  • Designated as the Local Redevelopment Authority, PuebloPlex was charged with developing a Redevelopment Plan to promote economic development for job growth, an increased tax base, and future investment in the greater Pueblo Community as a result of the Pueblo Chemical Depot realignment.

    Link to the Plan: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://puebloplex.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/puebloplex_redevelopment_plan2021S.pdf

Developments