SB 21-072 Summary

• Creates the Colorado Electric Transmission Authority (CETA) as an independent public body to finance, plan, acquire, and operate electric transmission facilities to support clean energy goals and grid reliability.

• Requires all Colorado transmission utilities to join an organized wholesale market (regional transmission organization or independent system operator) by January 1, 2030, with limited waiver provisions for utilities without viable market options.

• Establishes a nine-member board for CETA with appointments from the Governor, House Speaker, and Senate President, and defines specific qualifications representing labor, customers, utilities, wildlife, and renewable energy interests.

• Authorizes CETA to issue bonds, acquire property through eminent domain (except from local governments), conduct competitive selection of transmission operators, and implement labor standards requiring apprenticeship programs for construction work.

• Allows transmission utilities joining organized wholesale markets to recover participation costs and retain a portion of demonstrated savings to Colorado customers for five years (up to 35% in years one and two, declining thereafter).