SETTLING IN
Utility Choice
With the deregulation of utilities and surge of third-party suppliers, consumers have an unprecedented number of choices in utility providers. The following list includes only the major companies that serve the state. For specific providers in your community, contact your municipal clerk — or your county clerk if you reside in an unincorporated area.
Internet Information & Referral
Colorado Public Utilities Commission
https://puc.colorado.gov/
Utilities management and consumer information
Energy Guide
https://www.energystar.gov/
Directory of providers and advice on lowering utility bills
Energy Price Shopping
www.Energyshop.com
Comparative costs for gas and electric suppliers
Governor’s Office of Energy Management & Conservation
https://energyoffice.colorado.gov/
Provides a wealth of information for Colorado residents
United States Postal Service
www.usps.gov
Mover’s Guide
MAJOR UTILITY PROVIDERS
Electric & Natural Gas
Colorado Springs Utilities
719-448-4800
800-238-5434
www.csu.org
Water, Sewer & Waste
Water, sanitation, and sewer services are under the jurisdiction of the city or special district where you reside. Charges may or may not appear on a single bill. Most sanitation districts provide recycling services. Some of the major municipal contacts are provided below. For details on your community, contact your local city and/or county sanitation departments.
Colorado Springs Utilities
303-232-1991
https://colorado811.org/
Telephone Service
AT&T
719-667-5153
www.att.com
Lingo
866-546-4603
www.lingo.com
Century Link
800-244-1111
www.centurylink.com
Utility Line Information
Utility Notification Center of Colorado (UNCC)
800-922-1987
www.uncc.org
Since gas, electrical, and telephone lines are often buried underground, contact UNCC to verify the location of lines before digging trenches or holes.
Cable & Satellite TV
Xfinity
800-945-2288
www.xfinity.com
DISH Network
800-333-DISH
www.dish.com
General Information Resources
Statewide Information Line
303-866-5000
www.colorado.gov
Denver Metro Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
303-892-1505
800-233-6837
www.denver.org
Colorado Springs Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
800-888-4742
www.visitcos.com
Colorado Springs Police Department
719-444-7270
https://coloradosprings.gov
Colorado Springs Fire Department
719-385-5950
https://coloradosprings.gov
Social Security Administration
800-772-1213
www.ssa.gov
High Altitude Living
Newcomers may experience some initial discomfort in the shift to a high-altitude environment, especially those from a geographic area closer to sea level. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, eye irritation, headache, fatigue, and nosebleeds. Most of these problems are associated with outdoor activity in the extreme elevations of the Rocky Mountains and foothills. Adjustment time varies, but most symptoms disappear after a few days or weeks of “taking it easy.” Consult your physician if discomfort seems severe or prolonged.
Regardless of how long you live in the Mile High City or surrounding higher elevations, food preparation requires some adjustment. Foods prepared by boiling take longer to reach cooking temperature. Pressure cookers require adjustment or a longer time to process food. Sea-level temperatures for candies or frostings must be lowered. Recipes rich in sugar and/or shortening have to be adjusted for flour content. Always look for “high altitude” directions on packaged mixes. A number of excellent high-altitude cookbooks are also on the market.
