Avoided-Cost Ratesby Hundred Dollar Labs

Colorado PURPA avoided-cost rates

The standard-offer rates for small generators (qualifying facilities) published by 2 investor-owned utilities we cover in Colorado: Black Hills Energy (Colorado) and Xcel Energy (Colorado). Checked on October 4, 2026.

Utility	Schedule	Size cap	Rate structure	Effective	Checked on
Black Hills Energy (Colorado)	Rate CG-SPP1 Co-Generation and Small Power Production (rate code CO700, Sheets 48-49) with Rules and Regulations Section 20 - Co-Generation and Small Power Production Facilities (Sheets R33-R36, Purchased Power Amount Table on Seventh Revised Sheet No. R36), Colo. PUC No. 11	CG-SPP1 standard rate: QFs with generating capabilities of 100 kW or less (Categories 1 and 2: 10 kW and under; over 10 kW through 100 kW). Categories 3-5 (over 100 kW up to 10 MW) contract at avoided capacity and energy costs; contracts above 100 kW are filed with the Commission.	Single flat energy payment per kWh (Average Hourly Incremental Cost of Electricity) for Categories 1 and 2; no capacity payment. Billing nets credits for energy delivered against retail charges for energy used; credit balances carry forward (direct payment on request).	2026-01-01	2026-10-04
Xcel Energy (Colorado)	Small Power Production and Cogeneration Facility Policy (Electric Purchase), Colo. PUC No. 8 Electric Sheets P1-P7; Purchase Payment Amount Table on Ninth Revised Sheet No. P7	QFs with a design capacity of 100 kW or less; QFs above 100 kW must be successful bidders in the Company's Resource Planning process. Customers on Net Metering Schedule NM or Photovoltaic Schedule PV are not eligible.	Flat $/MWh payment for all MWh delivered, by technology: an Energy Payment Rate Component (reset each January 1) plus a Capacity Payment Rate Component (fixed at the rate for the year the QF reached commercial operation). No time-of-day or seasonal differentiation. Company takes the RECs unless otherwise agreed.	2026-01-01	2026-10-04

When these rates change next

Black Hills Energy (Colorado): Annual: tariff Section 20 says avoided costs are recalculated by December 1 each year and filed to take effect January 1, using October-September historical data.
Xcel Energy (Colorado): Annual: tariff footnote says a new Energy Payment Rate Component takes effect January 1 of each calendar year. 4 CCR 723-3 Rule 3902(b) requires a standard-rate tariff for QFs of 100 kW or less but sets no filing cycle.

Rates, eligibility and contract terms change: confirm them with the utility or the state utility commission before relying on them.