News > Power to the people: Colorado Springs protects net metering

Power to the people: Colorado Springs protects net metering

• Energy democracy & policy

November 7, 2025

• Krupa Bharodiya

When Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) proposed new fees that would have made rooftop solar unaffordable for most families, residents had only a few weeks to fight back. 

In a close 5–4 vote, the City Council rejected Colorado Springs Utilities’ (CSU) proposal to add new fees and restrictions for solar customers. This outcome is a direct result of community members, students, and local advocates standing together to defend fairness and transparency for local solar energy.

“This was only possible because of all of you,” said Colorado SUN Program Director, Tanner Simeon-Cox. “Your stories, your time, and your voices made the difference.”

This decision is a win for fairness, transparency, and local solar at a time when strong community advocacy is needed more than ever.

The threat: new fees would have destroyed the economics of going solar 

Colorado Springs Utilities proposed adding a new “demand charge” that would have added extra fees for solar customers using power between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays, exactly when most families get home, cook dinner, and turn on the lights.

The utility sent notification of the proposed change on August 22, with the City Council hearing scheduled for October 14, giving residents less than two months to understand the complex proposal, organize, and prepare testimony.

If approved, the plan would have raised bills, delayed solar payback periods, and discouraged future installations. 

For Carolyn Dickerson, a local solar homeowner nearing retirement, the math was stark: my annual electricity bill would have tripled overnight, jumping from about $240 to over $700,” she explained. “I would have been out all the money I spent installing my panels, with no way to recoup that investment. At that point, I would have had no choice but to turn off my panels altogether.”

Residents were also concerned that the proposal had been rushed without limited review and public input. Some questioned whether it conflicted with Colorado’s net metering protections under state law. 

By rejecting the proposal, the City Council removed it from the 2026 rate case, keeping fair solar crediting intact for thousands of households.

How the community made a difference

Colorado Springs showed up for solar. Around 60 stayed through the multi-hour discussion to provide public comment against the utility’s proposal. Residents shared personal stories about what solar means for their families, finances, and the local grid.

Before the meeting, Solar United Neighbors helped residents prepare through coffee chats and a gathering at Acacia Park where speakers practiced their remarks and connected with neighbors. Homeowners, students, and local business owners all came together to demand fair treatment for solar customers.

Carolyn’s story captures what many in the community felt. “I was just mad,” she said. “That anger gave me a lot of energy to take action. So, what I did was start reaching out to local nonprofits. I sent an email and said, ‘I’m sure you know about this situation, and if you’re working on it, I want to be involved.’” Frustration transformed into collective action. Residents who once felt unheard found their voices and stood up for their right to fair treatment. 

Why this policy win matters for Colorado Springs

Net metering is the policy that allows solar owners to receive credit for the excess electricity their panels generate and send back to the grid. When panels produce more power than the homeowner uses—typically during sunny midday hours—that energy flows to neighboring homes, and the homeowner receives credits that offset what they draw from the grid at night.

Fair net metering supports energy independence, affordability, and community resilience. City Council’s decision protects this form of fair credit for excess solar energy and preserves trust in local energy policy. 

This victory shows what is possible when the community stands united, but the work continues. City Council and CSU will revisit future energy rate designs, and continued public input will be essential. Solar United Neighbors is committed to ensuring that solar owners remain part of that process.

Thank the five council members who stood with solar customers: Rainey, Leinweber, Williams, Gold, and Henjum. We’ve already written the message, you just need to add your name and hit send.

Let them know their leadership and commitment to fairness made a difference.

This win reflects a growing local momentum for solar progress, even as federal decisions threaten to impact solar energy adoption nationwide. Colorado Springs residents showed that communities can take the lead in protecting fair energy policy and expanding access to solar power.

“This win belongs to us — the neighbors, homeowners, and advocates who spoke up,” said Tanner Simeon-Cox. “Together, we proved that when our community stands united for solar, we win.” 

 When people come together at the local level, they can drive meaningful change and keep the transition to renewable energy moving forward.