reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
CO Code § 40-7-118 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 7 - Enforcement - Penalties|§ 40-7-118. Legal Services Offset Fund - Creation - Exemption From Maximum Reserve

     The legal services offset fund is hereby created in the state treasury. The fund consists of the civil penalties that are collected and credited to the fund pursuant to section 40-7-112 (1)(b) for violations of article 10.1 of this title 40 or commission rules promulgated pursuant to article 10.1 of this title 40. The money in the fund is continuously appropriated to the department of regulatory agencies for use to offset the costs of legal representation of the staff of the commission in proceedings before the commission concerning the enforcement of article 10.1 of this title 40. The department of regulatory agencies shall use the money in the legal services offset fund to support appropriations made to the department that are used for legal representation of the staff of the commission in proceedings concerning the enforcement of article 10.1 of this title 40.    The money in the fund and any interest earned on money in the fund at the end of any fiscal year remains in the fund and shall not be transferred to the general fund or any other fund; except that, if the balance in the fund exceeds two hundred fifty thousand dollars, the state treasurer shall transfer the money in excess of two hundred fifty thousand dollars to the general fund.       In accordance with section 24-75-402 (2)(a) and for each fiscal year, the alternative maximum reserve for the legal services offset fund is two hundred fifty thousand dollars.     History. Source: L. 2017: Entire section added, (SB 17-180), ch. 281, p. 1532, § 3, effective August 9. L. 2019: (1)(a) amended, (SB 19-236), ch. 359, p. 3312, § 18, effective May 30.
CO Code § 40-7.5-101 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 7.5 - Civil Remedies Available to Utilities|§ 40-7.5-101. Definitions

 As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:    “Bypassing” means the act of attaching, connecting, or in any manner affixing any wire, cord, socket, motor, pipe, or other instrument, device, or contrivance to the utility supply system or any part thereof in such a manner as to transmit, supply, or use any utility service without passing through an authorized meter or other device provided for measuring, registering, determining, or limiting the amount of electricity, gas, or water consumed.    “Customer” means the person responsible for payment for utility services for the premises, and such term includes employees and agents of the customer.    “Person” means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, joint-stock association, or other legal entity.    “Tampering” means the act of damaging, altering, adjusting, or in any manner interfering with or obstructing the action or operation of any meter or other device provided for measuring, registering, determining, or limiting the amount of electricity, gas, or water consumed.    “Unauthorized metering” means the act of removing, moving, installing, connecting, reconnecting, or disconnecting any meter or metering device for utility service by a person other than an authorized contractor, employee, or agent of such utility.    “Utility” means any pipeline corporation, gas corporation, electrical corporation, water corporation, irrigation system, cooperative association, nonprofit corporation, nonprofit association, municipality, or person operating in whole or in part for the purpose of supplying electricity, gas, steam, or water, or any combination thereof, to the public or to any person.    “Utility service” means the provision of electricity, gas, steam, water, or any other service or commodity furnished by the utility for compensation.    “Utility supply system” includes all wires, conduits, pipes, cords, sockets, motors, meters, instruments, and other devices whatsoever used by the utility for the purpose of providing utility services.     History. Source: L. 83: Entire article added, p. 1564, § 1, effective July 1.
CO Code § 40-7.5-102 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 7.5 - Civil Remedies Available to Utilities|§ 40-7.5-102. Civil Action Allowed

  A utility may bring a civil action for damages against any person who commits, authorizes, solicits, aids, abets, or attempts any of the following acts resulting in damages to the utility: Bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering. In addition, a utility may bring a civil action for damages pursuant to this section against any person who knowingly receives utility service through means of bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering. An action brought pursuant to this section shall be commenced within three years after the cause of action accrues.    In any civil action brought pursuant to this section, the utility shall be entitled, upon proof of willful or intentional bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering, to recover as damages three times the amount of the actual damages, if any, plus all reasonable expenses and costs incurred on account of the bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering, including, but not limited to, costs and expenses for investigation, disconnection, reconnection, service calls, employees and equipment, and expert witnesses; costs of the suit; and reasonable attorney fees.     History. Source: L. 83: Entire article added, p. 1565, § 1, effective July 1.
CO Code § 40-7.5-103 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 7.5 - Civil Remedies Available to Utilities|§ 40-7.5-103. Presumptions

  There is a rebuttable presumption that a tenant or occupant of any premises where bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering is proven to exist caused or had knowledge of such bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering if the tenant or occupant had controlled access to the part of the utility supply system on the premises where the bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering is proven to exist and if said tenant or occupant was responsible or partially responsible for payment, either directly or indirectly, to the utility or to any other person for utility services provided for the premises.    There is a rebuttable presumption that a utility customer at any premises where bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering is proven to exist caused or had knowledge of such bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering if the customer had controlled access to the part of the utility supply system on the premises where the bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering is proven to exist.    The presumptions provided in this section shall only shift the burden of going forward with evidence and shall in no event shift the burden of proof to the defendant in any action brought pursuant to this article.     History. Source: L. 83: Entire article added, p. 1565, § 1, effective July 1.
CO Code § 40-7.5-104 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 7.5 - Civil Remedies Available to Utilities|§ 40-7.5-104. Remedies Cumulative

 It is the purpose of this article to provide additional remedies to avoid the wrongful use of the facilities of utilities, and nothing in this article shall abridge or alter rights of action or remedies existing prior to July 1, 1983, or created on or after said date.   History. Source: L. 83: Entire article added, p. 1566, § 1, effective July 1.
CO Code § 40-8-102 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 8 - Unclaimed Funds for Overcharges|§ 40-8-102. Undistributed Balance to County Commissioners - When

 Subject to the provisions of section 40-8-101 , in all cases where rights to refunds from a similar overcharge have accrued to the inhabitants of any county, outside of a municipality therein, the undistributed balance shall be turned over to the county commissioners of such county.   History. Source: L. 47: P. 704, § 2. CSA: C. 137, § 70. CRS 53: § 115-8-2. C.R.S. 1963: § 115-8-2. L. 90: Entire section amended, p. 1761, § 3, effective May 31. History. Source: L. 47: P. 704, § 2. CSA: C. 137, § 70. CRS 53: § 115-8-2. C.R.S. 1963: § 115-8-2. L. 90: Entire section amended, p. 1761, § 3, effective May 31.
CO Code § 40-8-103 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 8 - Unclaimed Funds for Overcharges|§ 40-8-103. Due and Payable by Escheat

 The payment to such municipality or county, as set forth in sections 40-8-101 and 40-8-102 , shall become due and payable by escheat, where not otherwise due and payable by operation of law.   History. Source: L. 47: P. 704, § 3. CSA: C. 137, § 71. CRS 53: § 115-8-3. C.R.S. 1963: § 115-8-3. History. Source: L. 47: P. 704, § 3. CSA: C. 137, § 71. CRS 53: § 115-8-3. C.R.S. 1963: § 115-8-3.
CO Code § 40-8-104 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 8 - Unclaimed Funds for Overcharges|§ 40-8-104. Municipality or County Liable for Three Years

 The municipality or county receiving such moneys shall be liable therefor for three years from the date when received and shall pay them out to any person entitled thereto proving his claim through court action or in any other method satisfactory to the municipality or county. At the end of such period, the fund shall become the property of the municipality or county.   History. Source: L. 47: P. 704, § 4. CSA: C. 137, § 72. CRS 53: § 115-8-4. C.R.S. 1963: § 115-8-4. History. Source: L. 47: P. 704, § 4. CSA: C. 137, § 72. CRS 53: § 115-8-4. C.R.S. 1963: § 115-8-4.
CO Code § 40-8-105 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 8 - Unclaimed Funds for Overcharges|§ 40-8-105. Authority of Commission Unaffected

 Except as provided in section 40-8-101 (2) , nothing in this article shall affect the authority of the public utilities commission, as otherwise provided by law, to determine the manner in which overcharges by a public utility shall be returned to the customers of that utility.   History. Source: L. 90: Entire section added, p. 1761, § 4, effective May 31.
CO Code § 40-8.5-101 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 8.5 - Unclaimed Utility Deposits|§ 40-8.5-101. Legislative Declaration

 In enacting this article 8.5, the general assembly finds and declares that there is a need to make distributions of money to provide aid and assistance to the indigent, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, who do not otherwise have the financial resources to meet their heating and other energy needs. The general assembly further finds and declares that the low-income energy assistance program of the department of human services is the most appropriate entity to determine those most in need of such aid and assistance. Therefore, this article 8.5 authorizes the legislative commission on low-income energy and water assistance to establish a fund from which to collect and distribute money to accomplish the goals set forth in this section. The money for the fund must be funded in part by unclaimed utility deposits.   History. Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 1758, § 1, effective May 31. L. 93: Entire section amended, p. 1671, § 90, effective July 1. L. 94: Entire section amended, p. 2719, § 304, effective July 1. L. 2021: Entire section amended,(HB 21-1105), ch. 488, p. 3508, § 18, effective September 7.    Cross references:   For the legislative declaration contained in the 1994 act amending this section, see section 1 of chapter 345, Session Laws of Colorado 1994.
CO Code § 40-8.5-102 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 8.5 - Unclaimed Utility Deposits|§ 40-8.5-102. Applicability

 This article shall apply to any electric or gas utility, as defined by section 40-8.5-103 ; except that this article shall apply only to those cooperative electric associations, as defined by section 40-9.5-102 , which notify the commission that they elect to come under this article.   History. Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 1758, § 1, effective May 31.
CO Code § 40-8.5-103 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 8.5 - Unclaimed Utility Deposits|§ 40-8.5-103. Definitions

 As used in this article 8.5, unless the context otherwise requires:    “Commission” means the legislative commission on low-income energy and water assistance established in section 40-8.5-103.5.    “Deposit” means moneys deposited by a subscriber with a utility to secure payment for services or any other amount which is paid in advance for electric or gas utility services to be furnished.    “Electric utility” means every electrical corporation operating for the purpose of supplying electricity to the public for domestic, mechanical, or public uses and includes every public utility supplying electricity; except that this definition includes only those cooperative electric associations which notify the commission that they elect to come under this article.    “Gas utility” means every gas corporation operating for the purpose of supplying gas to the public for domestic, mechanical, or public uses and includes every public utility supplying gas. (4.5) “Organization” has the meaning set forth in section 40-8.7-103 (4) .      “Unclaimed moneys” means:   Deposits, including any interest thereon, less any lawful deductions or amounts owed to a utility, that the utility has been directed to return to the subscriber by an administrative or judicial order or that is due the subscriber through the utility's security or construction deposit policy and that remains unclaimed by the subscriber for more than two years;    Moneys which shall be deemed unclaimed and presumed abandoned when left with the utility for more than two years after termination of the services for which the deposit or advance was made or for more than two years after the deposit becomes payable and the utility has made reasonable efforts to locate the owner of the unclaimed moneys or distribution is attempted pursuant to a final order of an administrative agency or judicial body having jurisdiction to establish the terms and conditions of such deposit or advance.       This term shall not include credits to existing subscribers through cost-adjustment mechanisms, and this term shall not include unclaimed patronage capital held by cooperative electric associations.         History. Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 1758, § 1, effective May 31. L. 2021: IP and (1) amended and (4.5) added, (HB 21-1105), ch. 488, p. 3496, § 4, effective September 7.
CO Code § 40-8.5-104 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 8.5 - Unclaimed Utility Deposits|§ 40-8.5-104. Commencement of Program - Establishment of System for Distribution of Moneys to Eligible Recipients

 The commission shall establish a fund through a nonprofit corporation established for the purpose of collecting and distributing moneys to eligible recipients, who shall be designated by the administrator of the low-income energy assistance program in the department of human services, for use in the payment of electric and gas utility bills for services received.   History. Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 1760, § 1, effective May 31. L. 93: Entire section amended, p. 2071, § 32, effective July 1. L. 94: Entire section amended, p. 2720, § 306, effective July 1.    Cross references:   For the legislative declaration contained in the 1994 act amending this section, see section 1 of chapter 345, Session Laws of Colorado 1994.
CO Code § 40-8.5-105 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 8.5 - Unclaimed Utility Deposits|§ 40-8.5-105. Eligibility

 The department of human services shall promulgate rules and regulations establishing the criteria for eligibility for recipients of assistance pursuant to this article, which criteria shall be based in part on household size and income and the energy costs of the household residence for the preceding year.   History. Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 1760, § 1, effective May 31. L. 94: Entire section amended, p. 2720, § 307, effective July 1.    Cross references:   For the legislative declaration contained in the 1994 act amending this section, see section 1 of chapter 345, Session Laws of Colorado 1994.
CO Code § 40-8.5-106 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 8.5 - Unclaimed Utility Deposits|§ 40-8.5-106. Unclaimed Deposits

 Unclaimed deposits shall be paid by the electric and gas utilities into the fund designated by the commission pursuant to section 40-8.5-104 .   History. Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 1760, § 1, effective May 31. L. 93: Entire section amended, p. 2072, § 33, effective July 1.
CO Code § 40-8.5-107 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 8.5 - Unclaimed Utility Deposits|§ 40-8.5-107. Disbursement of Moneys

 The nonprofit corporation designated by the commission pursuant to section 40-8.5-104 shall disburse moneys to the state department of human services to make energy assistance payments on behalf of or to persons determined by the department to be eligible for such assistance in accordance with section 40-8.5-105 .   History. Source: L. 90: Entire article added, p. 1760, § 1, effective May 31. L. 91: Entire section amended, p. 1901, § 2, effective July 1. L. 94: Entire section amended, p. 2720, § 308, effective July 1.    Cross references:   For the legislative declaration contained in the 1994 act amending this section, see section 1 of chapter 345, Session Laws of Colorado 1994.
CO Code § 40-8.7-101 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 8.7 - Low-Income Energy Assistance|§ 40-8.7-101. Short Title

 This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Low-income Energy Assistance Act”.   History. Source: L. 2005: Entire article added, p. 478, § 1, effective May 5.
CO Code § 40-8.7-102 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 8.7 - Low-Income Energy Assistance|§ 40-8.7-102. Legislative Declaration

  The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that, in order to serve the best interests of the citizens of Colorado and, in particular, to aid low-income citizens of Colorado, there is a need for an energy assistance program to collect an optional low-income energy assistance contribution from utility customers in Colorado.    The general assembly further finds that the most efficient way to support such a program is for gas and electric utilities to provide the opportunity for each utility customer to contribute an optional amount on the customer's billing statement for low-income energy assistance that will be displayed monthly on the utility bill until the customer indicates otherwise and that the moneys collected shall be most economically and equitably disbursed through a system in which the contributions collected by electric utilities and gas utilities are transmitted to energy outreach Colorado.    The general assembly further finds that, although municipal and special district water utilities are not regulated by the public utilities commission, allowing all water utilities to participate in a water assistance program on a voluntary basis will provide an efficient means for some water utilities to provide financial assistance to their customers in low-income households.     History. Source: L. 2005: Entire article added, p. 478, § 1, effective May 5. L. 2021: (3) added, (HB 21-1105), ch. 488, p. 3499, § 6, effective September 7.
CO Code § 40-8.7-103 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 8.7 - Low-Income Energy Assistance|§ 40-8.7-103. Definitions

 As used in this article 8.7, unless the context otherwise requires:    “Alternative energy assistance program” means a program operated by a municipally owned electric and gas utility or cooperative electric association that is not part of the energy assistance program established pursuant to this article.    “Customer” means the named holder of an individually metered account upon which charges for electricity, gas, or water are paid to a utility or water utility. “Customer” does not include a customer that receives electricity or gas for the sole purpose of reselling the electricity or gas to others.    “Energy assistance program” or “program” means the low-income energy assistance program created by section 40-8.7-104 and designed to provide financial assistance, residential energy efficiency, and energy conservation assistance. (3.3) “Energy assistance system benefit charge” or “charge” means the charge that investor-owned utilities doing business in Colorado collect from their customers on a monthly basis pursuant to section 40-8.7-104 (2.5).    “Organization” means energy outreach Colorado, a Colorado nonprofit corporation, formerly known as the Colorado energy assistance foundation. (4.7) “Public utilities commission” or “commission” means the public utilities commission created in section 40-2-101 .    “Remittance device” means the section of a customer's utility billing statement that is returned to the utility company for payment.    “Utility” means a corporation, association, partnership, cooperative electric association, or municipally owned entity that provides retail electric service or retail gas service to customers in Colorado. “Utility” does not mean a propane company.    “Water utility” means a water corporation or municipal water provider that provides retail water or wastewater service to customers in Colorado.     History. Source: L. 2005: Entire article added, p. 479, § 1, effective May 5. L. 2006: (1) amended, p. 1509, § 61, effective June 1. L. 2021: IP and (2) amended and (3.3), (4.7), and (7) added, (HB 21-1105), ch. 488, p. 3499, § 7, effective September 7.
CO Code § 40-8.7-104.3 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 40 - Utilities|Article 8.7 - Low-Income Energy Assistance|§ 40-8.7-104.3. Water Assistance Program - Creation - Water Assistance Contribution

     On and after September 7, 2021, a water utility doing business in Colorado may participate in a water assistance program created and managed by the organization to provide water utility bill payment assistance to low-income households. A water utility's voluntary participation in the water assistance program will provide a water utility customer with an opportunity to make an optional contribution on the customer's monthly or quarterly remittance device on the water utility billing statement.      A water utility participating in the water assistance program shall provide the opportunity for its customers to donate the contribution described in subsection (1)(a) of this section in accordance with the check-off mechanism set forth in section 40-8.7-105 (2). (b) (I) A water utility participating in the water assistance program shall provide the opportunity for its customers to donate the contribution described in subsection (1)(a) of this section in accordance with the check-off mechanism set forth in section 40-8.7-105 (2).    Section 40-8.7-105 (1), (3), (4), and (5) does not apply to a water utility's participation in the water assistance program.          A water utility may create its own water assistance program to meet its customers' water assistance needs. In determining eligibility for assistance, a water utility may adopt the criteria specified in section 40-3-106 (1)(d) or alternative criteria as determined by the water utility.    A water utility participating in the organization's water assistance program pursuant to subsection (1) of this section or creating its own water assistance program pursuant to subsection (2) of this section may seek reimbursement for any reasonable costs that it incurs in connection with the program, including initial costs of setting up the collection mechanism and reformatting its billing systems to solicit an optional contribution.    The organization shall use the money collected from each water utility pursuant to this section to help finance direct water utility bill payment assistance to low-income households served by that water utility.      History. Source: L. 2021: Entire section added, (HB 21-1105), ch. 488, p. 3501, § 9, effective September 7.