Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) is moving to time-of-day pricing that will make electricity nearly twice as expensive from 5–9 p.m. on weekdays compared to other hours. As first reported by Brennen Kauffman of The Gazette, the “Energy Wise” rates become the default for new customers starting in October, with existing customers slated to follow in early 2026. The utility’s pitch is straightforward: align prices with demand, nudge usage out of the hottest evening hours, and lower system costs over time.
When It Starts – and Who’s First
Samantha Hildebrandt of KRDO 13 reports that the on-peak window is fixed at weekdays 5–9 p.m.; mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays are considered off-peak. Aaron Vitatoe of KKTV 11 adds that only new customers see the change on Oct. 1, while most existing accounts transition in 2026 with advance notice. If you just moved to town or opened a new account, you’ll be the guinea pig.
The Small Print on Bigger Bills
CSU Chief Financial Officer Tristan Gearhart told Kauffman the shift will likely split customers: about half will pay a bit more and half a bit less, with the typical swing around $4 per month either way. A sample bill CSU showed local media suggests simply avoiding laundry and the dishwasher from 5–9 p.m. can push you into the “pay less” camp. My read: the $4 average is a behavioral nudge, not a budget buster – unless your life is pinned to those four hours.
Why It’s Costly at 6:30 p.m.
Gearhart explained to The Gazette that midday solar and wind lower costs earlier in the day, but as renewables fade in the evening and home demand spikes, system costs “increase so much more.” In other words, the price is the signal: when power is plentiful, it’s cheaper; when supply tightens and everyone flips on the oven and AC, it isn’t. That logic is sound – even if the timing lands right on top of dinner, homework, and bedtime routines.
Peak vs. Off-Peak and the Seasonal Twist
Per Hildebrandt (KRDO 13), on-peak is weekdays 5–9 p.m. only – weekends and holidays are off-peak. The plan also changes with the seasons: June–September (summer) carries higher rates overall due to air-conditioning demand; October–May (winter) is lower. KRDO’s article notes CSU touts “lower electric rates for 66% of the year” under Energy Wise – good news if you can shift chores outside that four-hour weekday window.
What It Costs to Cook, Clean, and Charge
Vitatoe (KKTV 11) walked through CSU’s calculator examples: run an electric oven for an hour during the summer on-peak and you’re looking at about 87¢; the same hour off-peak can drop to 22¢. A dishwasher can run around 35¢ for an on-peak hour in summer vs 17¢ in winter. Charging an EV four hours during peak might be $1.74, while off-peak could be roughly 31¢. The upshot: big appliances and EV charging matter; lights barely move the needle.
No Flat Rate Forever – But You Do Have Options
As Kauffman notes, sticking with the old flat rate isn’t an option. The closest alternative is a seasonal plan (higher summer, lower other months), designed for those who can’t shift usage – think small businesses or residents with fixed schedules. There’s also Energy Wise Plus, which charges 3–4x more during peak but adds a bigger discount from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. That’s tailor-made for people who can do laundry, cooking, or EV charging in late morning or midday.
Solar Households (Mostly) Sit This One Out – For Now
According to Vitatoe (KKTV 11), solar customers aren’t included in the initial rollout. Gearhart says CSU will pursue a separate plan (target 2027, pending City Council) to fold solar into time-of-day. Also important: this only affects electricity – water and gas are unchanged. CSU is also rolling out an online tool so you can see how your habits map to dollars under various rate options.
Colorado Context: Others Already Did This
Kauffman points out Xcel Energy already defaulted to time-of-day in 2022, with peak prices nearly triple the rest of the day. Black Hills Energy offers time-of-day only as a voluntary option, and their public-affairs manager John Vigil says uptake is low because peak is when people naturally live their lives. Birgit Landin, CSU’s community education expert, told The Gazette many newcomers are surprised flat rates still exist – time-of-day is increasingly the norm.
Up north, Fort Collins ran a pilot in 2015 and switched in 2018; the American Public Power Association chronicled the results: bills down about $1.38/month on average and peak demand down ~7%. Randy Reuscher, Fort Collins’ rates manager, framed the benefit well: under time-of-day, customers get two levers – use less or shift time.
Winners, Losers, and the Family-Time Dilemma
Here’s my take: work-from-home households, retirees, or anyone with flexible schedules can win big – especially with Energy Wise Plus and its late-morning discount. Families with young kids, shift workers, apartment dwellers with shared laundry rooms, or folks with medical equipment tied to evening routines could feel pinched. Still, some residents are on board. KRDO quoted Crystal Goodfliesh, who already runs laundry and the dishwasher at night and likes having price signals that reflect when people are using power most. If CSU wants buy-in, it must keep the tools simple and the exceptions humane.
Practical Shifts That Actually Save Money
Low-drama strategies help: run the dishwasher after 9 p.m.; delay EV charging to late night or early morning; pre-cool the home in late afternoon so the AC doesn’t sprint at 6:30; batch cooking on weekends; use air fryers or microwaves at dinner instead of firing up the oven; set appliance timers. Even better, shift laundry to weekend mornings. CSU’s own calculator (flagged by Hildebrandt and Vitatoe) makes it easy to see which tweaks are worth it in your home.
CSU’s Pitch: Price Signal, Not Punishment
Gearhart has repeated a key line in interviews: “We’re not asking people to sit in the dark.” CSU says 80% of the hours will be cheaper than they are today (Vitatoe), and the average swing is small if you don’t change habits – but noticeable savings if you do. The utility is also hosting an open house Oct. 7 at the Leon Young facility (5:30 p.m.) to field questions (KKTV 11). If you’re unsure about your options or frustrated that your schedule isn’t flexible, show up and say so.
A Price Signal Dressed as a Rate Change
From Kauffman’s reporting to Hildebrandt’s explainer and Vitatoe’s walk-through, the picture is clear: time-of-day pricing arrives in Colorado Springs Oct. 1 for new accounts and will become the default for most others in 2026. The headline heat – nearly double pricing 5–9 p.m. – lands squarely on family time, which is why this will feel like a “Family Time Price Hike” to many. But if Fort Collins’ results are any guide, peak demand drops and most bills shift only modestly. My advice: beat the system with your habits, use CSU’s calculator, consider the seasonal or Plus options if they fit your life, and push CSU for clarity and compassion where schedules simply can’t move.
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, John developed a love for the great outdoors early on. With years of experience as a wilderness guide, he’s navigated rugged terrains and unpredictable weather patterns. John is also an avid hunter and fisherman who believes in sustainable living. His focus on practical survival skills, from building shelters to purifying water, reflects his passion for preparedness. When he’s not out in the wild, you can find him sharing his knowledge through writing, hoping to inspire others to embrace self-reliance.
