Xcel Energy, in coordination with the Utility Consumer Advocate (UCA), Colorado Energy Office (CEO), and Trial Staff of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), has submitted a petition to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. The petition requests approval to keep Comanche Power Plant Unit 2 operational for up to one additional year beyond its currently scheduled retirement date of December 31, 2025.
The Comanche coal-fired power plant in Pueblo consists of three units, each with an approved retirement schedule as part of ongoing clean energy planning. Unit 1 was retired in 2022. Unit 2 is slated for retirement at the end of 2025, and Unit 3 is set to retire on January 1, 2031.
An unexpected outage occurred at Unit 3 on August 12, 2025. Since then, the unit has remained offline due to extensive damage. Xcel notified both the PUC and UCA in October that repairs are expected to take until June 2026. The cause of the outage and repair costs are not yet known.
The recent petition responds directly to this outage at Unit 3. According to Xcel and other parties involved, rising peak electricity demand, ongoing supply chain issues, and new demand forecasts have made it more difficult to manage without Colorado’s largest coal unit available. Relying on market purchases for replacement electricity is described as expensive and subject to volatility during periods of high use.
The filing asks the PUC for a variance from its previous decision so that Xcel could continue operating Comanche Unit 2 if needed while Unit 3 remains out of service, but not beyond December 31, 2026.
Once received by the PUC, commissioners will open a proceeding and establish a schedule for review. The process is expected to take about thirty days but may vary depending on commission deliberations.
The petition sets out two phases: first, whether or not Comanche Unit 2 should remain online after its planned retirement; second, time for further assessment of long-term resource options. By March 1, 2026, a report will be provided to update the commission on repair progress at Unit 3 and plans for continued operation of Unit 2 after Unit 3 returns. By June 1, Xcel will submit an application addressing any further variances or resource approvals required to maintain reliable electricity service in Colorado.
###
