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There are 29 municipal electric systems in Colorado, which serve approximately 18% of the state's electric customers. Municipal electric systems are owned and operated by the communities they serve. Locally elected or appointed citizens act as the board of directors for municipal systems, and aided by professional staff, they make policy and operational decisions that are in the best interests of their utilities and communities. Municipal utility systems are non-profit and self supporting (not funded through municipal taxes), and as such, municipal utilities qualify as enterprises under the Colorado Constitution. The local city councils or utility boards set the rates for their communities' utilities. The rates cover the costs and expenses of providing the electric service including, generation and purchase power costs, electric transmission and distribution costs, capital expenses, debt service and operating costs. Any remaining revenues, after expenses, are reinvested into the community in a variety of ways.
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