Regulators Keep Pueblo Comanche Coal Unit Running While Xcel Repairs Newer Plant

By Alexander Edwards | The Denver Gazette

The Comanche Power Plant in Pueblo will continue to operate a coal-powered electrical generating unit that was slated for retirement this month for one more year.

The move comes after Xcel Energy, the state’s largest utility company, petitioned in November to keep one generator operating after an outage at the coal-fired power plant. Gov. Jared Polis backed the petition.

On Wednesday, the Public Utilities Commission approved a variance submitted by the utility. This allows Comanche 2, which was slated to be retired on Dec. 31, to continue operating as Xcel fixes the Comanche 3.

“The Commission found that the outage at Comanche 3 was the sole justification for the extension of Comanche 2,” a fact sheet released by the commission said. “The cause of the (Comanche 3) outage, the steps necessary to repair it and the costs are unknown at this time.”

The petition, originally submitted in November, was initially met with concern from groups like Western Resource Advocates. The group “fights climate change to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West,” its “about” page says online.

Keeping Comanche in operation may cost Colorado’s ratepayers about $35.4 million annually, according to a report by Grid Strategies, a power sector consulting firm. As winter rolls in, natural gas prices will rise, making it more expensive for Xcel to purchase energy.

“Due to an unexpected breakdown of one of Colorado’s coal plant units, the administration is working to keep energy production stable and protect consumers from winter energy cost spikes by keeping another unit in operation for one year beyond its anticipated closure date,” a statement from the Governor’s Office said. The state obtained roughly 43% of its energy from renewable sources in 2024 and is “well on its way to achieving 100% clean energy.”

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