CO HB1397

Expands the definition of "public interest" for the Office of Consumer Counsel to include geographic rate disparities between service territories, rate increase disparities relative to service quality, utility earnings disparities, customer economic situations, utility service shutoff policies, and compliance with net metering and interconnection requirements.

Requires the Consumer Counsel to investigate rate disparities among all electric utilities in Colorado during the 2014 interim and report findings and legislative recommendations to the General Assembly by January 15, 2015, including at least three public hearings at different state locations.

Allows the Consumer Counsel to intervene in individual utility complaints when the complaint represents the interests of a class of consumers and applying class action certification criteria under Colorado civil procedure rules.

Adds "resource planning and acquisition" to the matters in which the Consumer Counsel may petition, request, initiate, and appear before the Public Utilities Commission.

Includes a safety clause declaring the act necessary for immediate preservation of public peace, health, and safety.