Resident asks Parker council to challenge CorePowerpeak-hour surcharge

Michael Farrell, who identified himself as a Parker resident, used his three-minute public comment time to raise two items: praise for a staff member who assisted with a neighborhood permit, and a request that the council consider filing a rate complaint regarding CorePowerpeak-hour surcharges. Farrell said he prepared a background paper and a draft town council resolution for the council and town attorney to review.

Farrell alleged that CorePower's surcharge between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. is "4,738% higher than the base charge" and told the council that Colorado statute 40-9.5-106 permits a municipality to file a rate challenge with the Public Utilities Commission on behalf of its residents. "That rate also applies in one hour, applies to . . . every other subsequent hour in that month between the hours of 4 and 8 p.m.," he said, characterizing the practice as unfair and asking the council to review the draft resolution he left with staff. Mayor Pro Tem John Dyack asked staff to take the materials ("give it to Lindsay") so the town attorney could review the complaint and advise council on next steps.

The claim about the surcharge is reported as Mr. Farrell stated it in public comment. The council did not take immediate action on the matter; the materials were referred to staff for review and any legal or procedural next steps would require town attorney advice and potentially a council vote.