shows 133,698 disconnections of electricity to residences and 5,267 shut-offs of natural gas service took place in Colorado in 2024 because of nonpayment of bills.
The report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration found that nationwide, residential electricity was cut off 13.4 million times and natural gas was cut off 1.7 million times when people didn’t pay their bills.
The report, which used a survey and studies, was launched after Congress directed the EIA to start collecting data on utility disconnections. The 2024 numbers are the inaugural accounting.
The report found that disconnections were most frequent in the South, according to an analysis by
Individual accounts might have received more than one final notice, been disconnected or reconnected more than once per calendar year, the EIA said.
The findings come as demand for power and what customers pay are on the rise. Utilities across the country are getting requests to provide electricity to new data centers, which house the physical foundation for all things digital.
Utilities also face increasing demand as more electric vehicles take the road and more buildings are electrified.
To meet growing needs, utilities are looking to acquire or build new generation sources and seeking higher rates to pay for them. An analysis by a national nonprofit focused on modernizing utility regulation, said electric and gas utilities requested nearly $31 billion in rate increases in 2025, more than double the $15 billion in 2024
The tracks disconnections for all investor-owned utilities in the state: Xcel Energy, Black Hills Energy, Atmos Energy and Colorado Natural Gas.
The PUC prohibits shutting off service during extreme weather, spokeswoman Megan Castle said in an email. Disconnections aren’t allowed if the temperatures are forecast at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above 95 degrees any time in the following 24 hours.
“Customers who rely on medical equipment or devices also receive disconnection protections,” Castle said.
The number of residential utility shutoffs tracked by the PUC has increased over the past two years. Castle said the total was 88,458 in 2025. The agency’s number doesn’t include customers of municipal utilities or electric cooperatives.
Nationwide, 94.9 million final notices were sent to residential electricity customers for nonpayment in 2024, according to the EIA report. October was the month with the highest number of notices at 9 million.
Approximately 27.1 million final notices were sent to residential natural gas customers across the country in 2024. The highest total was in April at 2.9 million.
In Colorado, the EIA said 152,600 final notices were sent to gas customers in 2024. The actual disconnections were not quite 3.5% of that number.
Final notices sent to residential electricity customers totaled 994,298 in Colorado. The shutoffs tallied were roughly 13% of the number of notices.
is a nonprofit that provides help with utility bills and energy-efficiency upgrades to low-income residents and other nonprofits. The program runs Oct. 1-Sept. 30 each year.
“In general, since last year (24-25), we’ve seen a 40% increase in bill payment assistance applications this program year,” Chelsea Rosty, vice president of community programs and communications, said in an email.
In 2024-2025, Energy Outreach spent $19.8 million and served 26,924 participants. The organization provides assistance with expenses for natural gas, electricity and other fuel sources such as wood, propane and pellets.
Castle of the PUC said all investor-owned utilities in Colorado are required to have plans to help low-income customers pay their bills and avoid disconnections. The program provides fixed credits for customers who pay 6% or more of their income for utilities.
The PUC has worked to make it easier for Coloradans to find and enroll in assistance programs, Castle said. The agency built the to provide information about help with bills, weatherization and incentives to electrify homes that may apply regardless of income levels or utility provider.
