Colorado Public Radio: Xcel Energy and other Colorado utilities are trying to keep detailed records of their political activity secret, which lawmakers and advocates say undermines a law intended to increase transparency and ensure customers aren’t being charged for their political spending.

In 2023, Colorado lawmakers passed the Utility Regulation Act which followed a spike in energy bills. That winter, the typical Xcel Energy customer saw their bill increase by around 25 percent compared to the previous year, while their natural gas bill shot up by around 75 percent, according to state data.

Responding to public outcry over surging bills, lawmakers wrote a law that prevents investor-owned utilities from charging customers for a broad set of political activities, including meetings with lawmakers to influence legislation, types of advertising and membership dues to lobbying organizations.

Visit Colorado Public Radio for more.