Senate adopts Colorado Grid Optimization Act requiring utilities to consider advanced transmission technologies

Senator Roberts presented House Bill 10-81, described in debate as the Colorado Grid Optimization Act, and said it directs utilities to consider advanced transmission technologies during their existing 10-year planning processes without imposing deployment mandates. Roberts and supporters emphasized the bill is a planning and review requirement intended to modernize the grid when economically feasible and to save ratepayers money.

Leader Simpson and other senators praised the negotiations that produced a neutral stance from the three major utilities mentioned on the floor (Accel, Black Hills, Tri-State) and urged colleagues to support the bill. The bill passed on the floor after the committee report was adopted and the chair announced the ayes had it. The transcript records voice votes and the chair’s announcement that HB10-81 is adopted; no roll-call tally was recorded in the excerpt for final passage.