NEWS BRIEF
According to Colorado Public Radio, the Senate did not advance the House-passed Ratepayer Protection Act during its final week before the election recess. The measure would require states to consider making data center owners, rather than utility ratepayers, responsible for added electricity and infrastructure costs.
Colorado Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper voted against advancing the measure. Separately, bipartisan Senate committee leaders released draft permitting reform legislation that includes a data center cost provision. The Senate is expected to consider that broader bill after returning in November.
What to know
The Senate did not move forward with the House-passed Ratepayer Protection Act before recess. A separate bipartisan permitting proposal includes a similar data center cost provision, but it remains draft legislation and is expected to be considered after the election.
Reporting: Colorado Public Radio · 10-01-2026
