Representative Martinez says PUC reform stalled in appropriations after drawing rural support
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Summary
At the briefing, Representative Matt Martinez described a bill to expand the Colorado Public Utilities Commission from three to five members with geographic representation to give rural communities, including Pueblo County, a stronger voice. He said the proposal passed two committees but stalled in appropriations due to cost concerns.
State Representative Matt Martinez told Pueblo County officials that his bill to expand the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to five commissioners — with geographic representation requirements intended to improve rural voice — advanced through two committees but did not pass this session because of appropriations concerns.
Martinez said research showed it had been nearly a century since someone who lived in Pueblo County had served on the PUC; his proposal would have added two seats and required three commissioners to be from geographic regions and two to be at-large. ``We really felt that this was gonna be, impactful here in making sure that decisions on these appointments ... would put more focus on on the rural parts of the state, particularly Pueblo County,'' Martinez said.
Why it matters: The PUC regulates utility rates and can shape energy and transportation policy; Martinez and local commissioners argued rural representation would improve oversight of rate requests and other matters affecting counties such as Pueblo. Sponsors faced political resistance from stakeholders who argued the current three-member structure already performs well and from budget influencers concerned about the cost of additional commissioners and staff.
Details from the update: Martinez said the bill passed two committees but failed in appropriations because expanding membership carries recurring costs for additional commissioner pay and staff. He said supporters still have two pathways: (1) participate in the PUC sunset review (a process that reauthorizes and can amend agency rules) by submitting public comments and (2) reintroduce legislation in a future session, ideally in coalition with other rural counties.
Local reaction and next steps: County leaders in the room encouraged public engagement in the PUC sunset process and said they would coordinate with legislative sponsors on outreach and potential reintroduction of the bill.