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Bill

SB 148

Financing Utility On-Bill Repayment Program

2026 Regular Session

Colorado authorizes utilities to finance customer energy upgrades through on-bill repayment programs, allowing customers to finance efficiency and renewable improvements via utility bills.

Senate Committee on Appropriations Postpone Indefinitely
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Bill Summary · SB 148

Legislative bill overview

SB 148 establishes a financing mechanism for utilities to offer on-bill repayment programs, allowing customers to finance energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy installations, or other utility-related upgrades through their utility bills. The bill creates a framework where utilities can recover program financing costs and administrative expenses while customers repay loans or financing agreements incrementally through their regular billing statements.

Why is this important

On-bill programs lower barriers to energy upgrades by eliminating upfront capital costs and integrating repayments into existing utility bills, potentially increasing adoption of efficiency and renewable technologies. This can accelerate Colorado's energy transition goals while providing consumers with a more accessible financing pathway than traditional loans, though utility involvement in lending raises questions about cost allocation and customer protection.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost allocation and ratepayers: Whether non-participating customers should subsidize program administration and financing costs through general rates, or if costs should be borne entirely by participating customers
  • Utility regulatory authority: The extent to which utilities should function as lenders and whether additional consumer protections (similar to traditional lending requirements) should apply to on-bill financing
  • Program design and defaults: How utilities manage customer defaults on financing obligations and whether non-payment affects essential utility service access

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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