Committee Hears Bill Using $100M Loan from Unclaimed Property Fund to Expand On-bill Financing

House Finance Committee members took testimony but did not take action on House Bill 12-68, a proposal to establish an on‑bill repayment (OBR) funding program seeded by a $100 million interest‑free loan from the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund to the Colorado Energy Office.

Sponsor Representative Joseph described the bill as a way to expand utility on‑bill programs that let customers finance energy efficiency, electrification and other home upgrades with repayment attached to the utility meter. Under the bill as presented, the State Treasurer would make an interest‑free $100 million loan to the Colorado Energy Office on Jan. 1, 2026; the office would credit the money to a new on‑bill cash fund and make loans to utilities that apply to run on‑bill programs. Participating utilities would be required to file program proposals with the Public Utilities Commission.

Why it matters: On‑bill repayment programs allow residents to finance energy upgrades with no upfront cost and repay through monthly utility bills; sponsors and some local governments said the model increases access to…