DENVER—Qwest Communications could boost its rates for traditional phone service as much as 32 percent under a bill working its way through the Legislature.
The Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee approved an amendment to another bill Tuesday that would pave the way for the hike.
The Denver-based telecommunications company charges $14.88 a month for basic service.
The amendment offered by Democratic Sen. Lois Tochtrop of Thornton would change the state formula to allow Qwest to increase the charge by as much as the wholesale inflation rate. That would be retroactive to 1995.
The measure has drawn opposition from some senators and other groups. A Qwest spokeswoman says the company still would have to request rate changes from the Public Utilities Commission.
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