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.