EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 81018
Filing Year: 2024
Filename: 81018_10-K_2024_0000081018-24-000006.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1 - BUSINESS
Definitions of Abbreviations
Xcel Energy Inc.’s Subsidiaries and Affiliates (current and former)
NSP-Minnesota Northern States Power Company, a Minnesota corporation
NSP-Wisconsin Northern States Power Company, a Wisconsin corporation
PSCo Public Service Company of Colorado
SPS Southwestern Public Service Company
Utility subsidiaries NSP-Minnesota, NSP-Wisconsin, PSCo and SPS
WYCO WYCO Development, LLC
Xcel Energy Xcel Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries
Federal and State Regulatory Agencies
CPUC Colorado Public Utilities Commission
DOT United States Department of Transportation
EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
IRS Internal Revenue Service
NERC North American Electric Reliability Corporation
PHMSA Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
SEC Securities and Exchange Commission
Electric, Purchased Gas and Resource Adjustment Clauses
DSM Demand side management
ECA Retail electric commodity adjustment
GCA Gas cost adjustment
PSIA Pipeline system integrity adjustment
RES Renewable energy standard
Other
AFUDC Allowance for funds used during construction
ALJ Administrative Law Judge
ARO Asset retirement obligation
ARRR Application for Rehearing, Reargument, or Reconsideration
ASC Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification
C&I Commercial and Industrial
CCR Coal combustion residuals
CCR Rule Final rule (40 CFR 257.50 - 257.107) published by the EPA regulating the management, storage and disposal of CCRs as a nonhazardous waste
CEO Chief executive officer
CFO Chief financial officer
CIG Colorado Interstate Gas Company, LLC
CWIP Construction work in progress
ETR Effective tax rate
GAAP Generally accepted accounting principles
GHG Greenhouse gas
IPP Independent power producing entity
ISO Independent System Operator
ITC Investment tax credit
MGP Manufactured gas plant
Native load Customer demand of retail and wholesale customers whereby a utility has an obligation to serve under statute or long-term contract
NAV Net asset value
NOL Net operating loss
O&M Operating and maintenance
PIM Performance Incentive Mechanism
PFAS Per- and PolyFluoroAlkyl Substances
Post-65 Post-Medicare
PPA Purchased power agreement
Pre-65 Pre-Medicare
PTC Production tax credit
REC Renewable energy credit
ROE Return on equity
ROU Right-of-use
RTO Regional Transmission Organization
S&P Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings
SERP Supplemental executive retirement plan
SPP Southwest Power Pool, Inc.
TCJA 2017 federal tax reform enacted as Public Law No: 115-97, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
VaR Value at Risk
VIE Variable interest entity
WACC Weighted Average Cost of Capital
Measurements
Bcf Billion cubic feet
KV Kilovolts
KWh Kilowatt hours
MMBtu Million British thermal units
MW Megawatts
MWh Megawatt hours
Where to Find More Information
PSCo is a wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc., and Xcel Energy’s website address is www.xcelenergy.com. Xcel Energy makes available, free of charge through its website, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after the reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically at http://www.sec.gov. The information on Xcel Energy’s website is not a part of, or incorporated by reference in, this annual report on Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical statements contained in this report, the matters discussed herein are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements, including those relating to future sales, future expenses, future tax rates, future operating performance, estimated base capital expenditures and financing plans, projected capital additions and forecasted annual revenue requirements with respect to rider filings, expected rate increases to customers, expectations and intentions regarding regulatory proceedings, and expected impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows of resettlement calculations and credit losses relating to certain energy transactions, as well as assumptions and other statements are intended to be identified in this document by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “possible,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions. Actual results may vary materially. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking information. The following factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2023 (including risk factors listed from time to time by PSCo in reports filed with the SEC, including “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K), could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: operational safety; successful long-term operational planning; commodity risks associated with energy markets and production; rising energy prices and fuel costs; qualified employee workforce and third-party contractor factors; violations of our Codes of Conduct; our ability to recover costs; changes in regulation; reductions in our credit ratings and the cost of maintaining certain contractual relationships; general economic conditions, including recessionary conditions, inflation rates, monetary fluctuations, supply chain constraints and their impact on capital expenditures and/or the ability of PSCo to obtain financing on favorable terms; availability or cost of capital; our customers’ and counterparties’ ability to pay their debts to us; assumptions and costs relating to funding our employee benefit plans and health care benefits; tax laws; uncertainty regarding epidemics, the duration and magnitude of business restrictions including shutdowns (domestically and globally), the potential impact on the workforce, including shortages of employees or third-party contractors due to quarantine policies, vaccination requirements or government restrictions, impacts on the transportation of goods and the generalized impact on the economy; effects of geopolitical events, including war and acts of terrorism; cybersecurity threats and data security breaches; seasonal weather patterns; changes in environmental laws and regulations; climate change and other weather events; natural disaster and resource depletion, including compliance with any accompanying legislative and regulatory changes; costs of potential regulatory penalties and wildfire damages in excess of liability insurance coverage; regulatory changes and/or limitations related to the use of natural gas as an energy source; challenging labor market conditions and our ability to attract and retain a qualified workforce; and our ability to execute on our strategies or achieve expectations related to environmental, social and governance matters including as a result of evolving legal, regulatory and other standards, processes, and assumptions, the pace of scientific and technological developments, increased costs, the availability of requisite financing, and changes in carbon markets.
Company Overview
Electric customers 1.6 million
PSCo was incorporated in 1924 under the laws of Colorado. PSCo conducts business in Colorado and generates, purchases, transmits, distributes and sells electricity in addition to purchasing, transporting, distributing and selling natural gas to retail customers and transporting customer-owned natural gas.
Natural gas customers 1.5 million
Total assets $24.6 billion
Rate Base (estimated) $16.9 billion
GAAP ROE 7.32%
Electric generating capacity 6,203 MW
Gas storage capacity 32.1 Bcf
Electric transmission lines (conductor miles) 25,000 miles
Electric distribution lines (conductor miles) 80,000 miles
Natural gas transmission lines 2,000 miles
Natural gas distribution lines 23,000 miles
Electric Operations
Electric operations consist of energy supply, generation, transmission and distribution activities. PSCo had electric sales volume of 33,811 (millions of KWh), 1.6 million customers and electric revenues of $3,731 million for 2023.
Electric Operations (percentage of total) Sales Volume Number of Customers Revenues
Residential 28 % 86 % 35 %
C&I 54 11 49
Other 18 3 17
Retail Sales/Revenue Statistics (a)
2023 2022
KWH sales per retail customer 17,781 18,456
Revenue per retail customer $ 2,006 $ 2,074
Residential revenue per KWh 13.69 ¢ 13.62 ¢
C&I revenue per KWh 9.90 ¢ 9.86 ¢
Total retail revenue per KWh 11.28 ¢ 11.24 ¢
(a)See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.
Owned and Purchased Energy Generation - 2023
Electric Energy Sources
Total electric energy generation by source for the year ended Dec. 31:
Carbon-Free
PSCo’s carbon-free energy portfolio includes wind, hydroelectric and solar power from both owned generating facilities and PPAs. Carbon-free percentages will vary year over year based on system additions, commodity costs, weather, system demand and transmission constraints.
See Item 2 - Properties for further information.
Wind
Wind capacity is shown as net maximum capacity. Net maximum capacity is attainable only when wind conditions are sufficiently available
Owned - Owned and operated wind farms with corresponding capacity:
2023 2022
Wind Farms Capacity (MW) Wind Farms Capacity (MW)
2 1,059 2 1,059
PPAs - Number of PPAs with capacity range:
2023 2022
PPAs Range (MW) PPAs Range (MW)
17 23 - 301 17 23 - 301
Current contracted wind capacity for PPAs was 3,026 MW and 3,023 MW in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
In 2023, the average cost of wind energy was $7 per MWh for owned generation and $42 per MWh under existing PPAs. In 2022, the average cost of wind energy was $11 per MWh for owned generation and $38 per MWh under existing PPAs.
PSCo anticipates development of approximately 1,850 MW of wind generation resources (1,550 MW Company Owned, 300 MW as PPAs), as part of the Colorado Resource Plan.
Solar
PPAs - Solar PPAs capacity by type:
Type Capacity (MW)
Distributed Generation 887
Utility-Scale 1,530 (a)
Total 2,417
(a)Includes battery storage capacity of 225 MW.
The average cost of solar energy under existing PPAs was $34 per MWh and $69 per MWh in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
PSCo anticipates development of approximately 1,700 MW of solar generation resources (650 MW Company Owned, 1,050 MW as PPAs) as part of the Colorado Resource Plan.
Other
PSCo’s other carbon-free energy portfolio includes hydro from owned generating facilities.
PSCo anticipates development of approximately 1,850 MW of storage capacity (400 MW Company Owned, 1,450 MW as PPAs) as part of the Colorado Resource Plan.
See Item 2 - Properties for further information.
Fossil Fuel
PSCo’s fossil fuel energy portfolio includes coal and natural gas power from both owned generating facilities and PPAs.
See Item 2 - Properties for further information.
Coal
PSCo owns and operates coal units with approximately 1,650 MW of total 2023 net summer dependable capacity, which provided 26% of the PSCo energy mix in 2023.
Approved early coal plant retirements:
Year Plant Unit Capacity (MW)
2025 Comanche 2 330
2025 Craig 1 42 (a)
2025 Pawnee (b)
2027 Hayden 2 98 (a)
2028 Hayden 1 135 (a)
2028 Craig 2 40 (a)
2030 Comanche 3 500 (a)
(a)Based on PSCo’s ownership interest.
(b)Reflects conversion from coal to natural gas.
Coal Fuel Cost - Delivered cost per MMBtu of coal consumed for owned electric generation and the percentage of total fuel requirements (coal and natural gas):
Coal
Cost Percent
2023 $ 1.57 54 %
2022 1.48 55
Natural Gas
PSCo has seven natural gas plants with approximately 3,300 MW of total 2023 net summer dependable capacity, which provided 32% of the PSCo energy mix in 2023.
Natural gas supplies, transportation and storage services for power plants are procured to provide an adequate supply of fuel. Remaining requirements are procured through a liquid spot market. Generally, natural gas supply contracts have variable pricing that is tied to natural gas indices. Natural gas supply and transportation agreements include obligations for the purchase and/or delivery of specified volumes or payments in lieu of delivery.
Natural Gas Cost - Delivered cost per MMBtu of natural gas consumed for owned electric generation and the percentage of total fuel requirements (coal and natural gas):
Natural Gas
Cost Percent
2023 $ 3.06 46 %
2022 7.09 45
PSCo anticipates development of approximately 650 MW of Company Owned natural gas generation, as part of the Colorado Resource Plan to help ensure resiliency and reliability.
Capacity and Demand
Uninterrupted system peak demand and occurrence date:
System Peak Demand (MW)
2023 2022
6,909 July 24 6,821 Sept. 6
Transmission
Transmission lines deliver electricity over long distances from power sources to substations closer to customers. A strong transmission system ensures continued reliable and affordable service, ability to meet state and regional energy policy goals, and support for a diverse generation mix, including renewable energy. PSCo owns more than 24,000 conductor miles of transmission lines across its service territory.
PSCo plans to build approximately 550 additional conductor miles of transmission lines related to the Colorado Power Pathway project estimated to be complete in 2027.
See Item 2 - Properties for further information.
Distribution
Distribution lines allow electricity to travel at lower voltages from substations directly to customers. PSCo has a vast distribution network, owning and operating approximately 80,000 conductor miles of distribution lines across our service territory.
See Item 2 - Properties for further information.
Natural Gas Operations
Natural gas operations consist of purchase, transportation and distribution of natural gas to end-use residential, C&I and transport customers. PSCo had natural gas deliveries of 289,163 (thousands of MMBtu), 1.5 million customers and natural gas revenues of $1,734 million for 2023.
Natural Gas
(percentage of total) Deliveries Number of Customers Revenues
Residential 35 % 92 % 64 %
C&I 16 7 26
Transportation and other 49 1 10
Sales/Revenue Statistics (a)
2023 2022
MMBtu sales per retail customer 101 103
Revenue per retail customer $ 1,061 $ 1,147
Residential revenue per MMBtu 10.97 11.14
C&I revenue per MMBtu 9.66 10.40
Transportation and other revenue per MMBtu 0.95 1.07
(a)See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.
Capability and Demand
Natural gas supply requirements are categorized as firm or interruptible (customers with an alternate energy supply).
Maximum daily output (firm and interruptible) and occurrence date:
2023 2022
MMBtu Date MMBtu Date
2,190,155 Jan. 30 2,243,552 Dec. 22
Natural Gas Supply and Cost
PSCo seeks natural gas supply, transportation and storage alternatives to yield a diversified portfolio, which increases flexibility, decreases interruption, financial risks and economical rates. In addition, PSCo conducts natural gas price hedging activities approved by its state’s commissions.
Average delivered cost per MMBtu of natural gas for regulated retail distribution:
2023 2022
$ 4.91 $ 6.33
PSCo has natural gas supply transportation and storage agreements that include obligations for purchase and/or delivery of specified volumes or to make payments in lieu of delivery.
General
Seasonality
Demand for electric power and natural gas is affected by seasonal differences in the weather. In general, peak sales of electricity occur in the summer months and peak sales of natural gas occur in the winter months. As a result, the overall operating results may fluctuate substantially on a seasonal basis. Additionally, PSCo’s operations have historically generated less revenues and income when weather conditions are warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Decoupling mechanisms mitigate the impacts of weather in certain jurisdictions. PSCo’s electric decoupling mechanism expired in September.
Competition
PSCo is subject to public policies that promote competition and development of energy markets. PSCo’s industrial and large commercial customers have the ability to generate their own electricity. In addition, customers may have the option of substituting other fuels or relocating their facilities to a lower cost region.
Customers have the opportunity to supply their own power with distributed generation including solar generation and can currently avoid paying for most of the fixed production, transmission and distribution costs incurred to serve them.
Colorado has incentives for the development of rooftop solar, community solar gardens and other distributed energy resources. Distributed generating resources are potential competitors to PSCo’s electric service business with these incentives and federal tax subsidies.
The FERC has continued to promote competitive wholesale markets through open access transmission and other means. PSCo’s wholesale customers can purchase energy from competing generation resources and transmission services from other service providers to serve their native load.
FERC Order No. 1000 established competition for ownership of certain new electric transmission facilities under Federal regulations. Some states have state laws that allow the incumbent a Right of First Refusal to own these transmission facilities.
FERC Order 2222 requires that RTO and ISO markets allow participation of aggregations of distributed energy resources. This order is expected to incentivize distributed energy resource adoption, however implementation is expected to vary by RTO/ISO and the near, medium, and long-term impacts of Order 2222 remain unclear.
PSCo has franchise agreements with cities subject to periodic renewal; however, a city could seek alternative means to access electric power or gas, such as municipalization. No municipalization activities are occurring presently.
While facing these challenges, PSCo believes its rates and services are competitive with alternatives currently available.
Governmental Regulations
Public Utility Regulation
See Item 7 for discussion of public utility regulation.
Environmental Regulation
Our facilities are regulated by federal and state agencies that have jurisdiction over air emissions, water quality, wastewater discharges, solid and hazardous wastes or substances. Certain PSCo activities require registrations, permits, licenses, inspections and approvals from these agencies.
PSCo has received necessary authorizations for the construction and continued operation of its generation, transmission and distribution systems. Our facilities strive to operate in compliance with applicable environmental standards and related monitoring and reporting requirements.
However, it is not possible to determine what additional facilities or modifications to existing or planned facilities will be required as a result of changes to regulations, interpretations or enforcement policies or what effect future laws or regulations may have. We may be required to incur expenditures in the future for remediation of historic and current operating sites and other waste treatment, storage and disposal sites.
There are significant environmental regulations to encourage use of clean energy technologies and regulate emissions of GHGs. PSCo has undertaken numerous initiatives to meet current requirements and prepare for potential future regulations, reduce GHG emissions and respond to state renewable and energy efficiency goals. Future environmental regulations may result in substantial costs.
Emerging Environmental Regulation
Clean Air Act
Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Regulations - In May 2023, the EPA published proposed rules addressing control of CO2 emissions from the power sector. The rule proposed regulations for new natural gas generating units and emission guidelines for existing coal and certain natural gas generation. The proposed rules create subcategories of coal units based on planned retirement date and subcategories of natural gas combustion turbines and combined cycle units based on utilization. The CO2 control requirements vary by subcategory. Until final rules are issued, it is not certain what the impact will be on PSCo. PSCo believes that the cost of these initiatives or replacement generation would be recoverable through rates based on prior state commission practices.
Coal Ash Regulation
In May 2023, the EPA published proposed rules to regulate legacy CCR surface impoundments at inactive facilities and previously exempt areas where CCR was placed directly on land at regulated CCR facilities under the CCR Rule for the first time. The proposed rule would subject these areas to the CCR Rule requirements, including groundwater monitoring, corrective action, closure, and post-closure care requirements, among other requirements, with several of the deadlines accelerated.
The EPA has committed to a May 2024 publication date for those new rules. It is also anticipated that the EPA may issue other CCR proposed rules in 2024 and 2025 that further expand the scope of the CCR Rule. Until final rules are issued, it is not certain what the impact will be on PSCo. PSCo. believes that the cost of these initiatives would be recoverable through rates based on prior state commission practices.
Emerging Contaminants of Concern
PFAS are man-made chemicals that are widely used in consumer products and can persist and bio-accumulate in the environment. PSCo does not manufacture PFAS but because PFAS are so ubiquitous in products and the environment, it may impact our operations.
In September 2022, the EPA proposed to designate two types of PFAS as “hazardous substances” under the CERCLA. In March 2023, the EPA published a proposed rule that would establish enforceable drinking water standards for certain PFAS chemicals.
Final rules are expected in 2024. Costs are uncertain until a final rule is published.
The proposed rules could result in new obligations for investigation and cleanup. PSCo is monitoring changes to state laws addressing PFAS. The impact of these proposed regulations is uncertain.
Effluent Limitation Guidelines
In March 2023, the EPA released a proposed rule under the Clean Water Act, setting forth proposed Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for steam generating coal plants. This proposed rule establishes more stringent wastewater discharge standards for bottom ash transport water, flue-gas desulfurization wastewater, and combustion residuals leachate from steam electric power plants, particularly coal-fired power plants. The impact of these proposed regulations is uncertain until a final rule is published.
Other
Our operations are subject to workplace safety standards under the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (“OSHA”) and comparable state laws that regulate the protection of worker health and safety. In addition, the Company is subject to other government regulations impacting such matters as labor, competition, data privacy, etc. Based on information to date and because our policies and business practices are designed to comply with all applicable laws, we do not believe the effects of compliance on our operations, financial condition or cash flows are material.
Employees
As of Dec. 31, 2023, PSCo had 2,352 full-time employees and ten part-time employees, of which 1,878 were covered under collective-bargaining agreements.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A - RISK FACTORS
Xcel Energy, which includes PSCo, is subject to a variety of risks, many of which are beyond our control. Risks that may adversely affect the business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows are described below. Although the risks are organized by heading, and each risk is described separately, many of the risks are interrelated. These risks should be carefully considered together with the other information set forth in this report and future reports that Xcel Energy files with the SEC.
While we believe we have identified and discussed below the key risk factors affecting our business, there may be additional risks and uncertainties that are not presently known or that are not currently believed to be significant that may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in the future.
Oversight of Risk and Related Processes
PSCo’s Board of Directors is responsible for the oversight of material risk and maintaining an effective risk monitoring process. Management and the Board of Directors have responsibility for overseeing the identification and mitigation of key risks.
PSCo maintains a robust compliance program and promotes a culture of compliance, beginning with the tone at the top. The risk mitigation process includes adherence to our Code of Conduct and compliance policies, operation of formal risk management structures and overall business management. PSCo further mitigates inherent risks through formal risk committees and corporate functions such as internal audit, and internal controls over financial reporting and legal.
Management identifies and analyzes risks to determine materiality and other attributes such as timing, probability and controllability. Identification and risk analysis occurs formally through risk assessment conducted by senior management, the financial disclosure process, hazard risk procedures, internal audit and compliance with financial and operational controls. Management also identifies and analyzes risk through the business planning process, development of goals and establishment of key performance indicators, including identification of barriers to implementing our strategy. The business planning process also identifies likelihood and mitigating factors to prevent the assumption of inappropriate risk to meet goals.
Management communicates regularly with the Board of Directors and its sole stockholder regarding risk. Senior management presents and communicates a periodic risk assessment to the Board of Directors, providing information on the risks that management believes are material, including financial impact, timing, likelihood and mitigating factors. The Board of Directors regularly reviews management’s key risk assessments, which includes areas of existing and future macroeconomic, financial, operational, policy, environmental, safety and security risks.
The oversight, management and mitigation of risk is an integral and continuous part of the Board of Directors’ governance of PSCo. Processes are in place to confirm appropriate risk oversight, as well as identification and consideration of new risks.
Risks Associated with Our Business
Operational Risks
Our natural gas and electric generation/transmission and distribution operations involve numerous risks that may result in accidents and other operating risks and costs.
Our natural gas transmission and distribution activities include inherent hazards and operating risks, such as leaks, explosions, outages and mechanical problems. Our electric generation, transmission and distribution activities include inherent hazards and operating risks such as contact, fire and outages. These risks could result in loss of life, significant property damage, environmental pollution, impairment of our operations and substantial financial losses to employees, third-party contractors, customers or the public. We maintain insurance against most, but not all, of these risks and losses.
The occurrence of these events, if not fully covered by insurance, could have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as well as potential loss of reputation.
Other uncertainties and risks inherent in operating and maintaining PSCo's facilities include, but are not limited to:
•Risks associated with facility start-up operations, such as whether the facility will achieve projected operating performance on schedule and otherwise as planned.
•Failures in the availability, acquisition or transportation of fuel or other supplies.
•Impact of adverse weather conditions and natural disasters, including, tornadoes, avalanches, icing events, floods, high winds and droughts.
•Performance below expected or contracted levels of output or efficiency.
•Availability of replacement equipment.
•Availability of adequate water resources and ability to satisfy water intake and discharge requirements.
•Availability or changes to wind patterns.
•Inability to identify, manage properly or mitigate equipment defects.
•Use of new or unproven technology.
•Risks associated with dependence on a specific type of fuel or fuel source, such as commodity price risk, availability of adequate fuel supply and transportation and lack of available alternative fuel sources.
•Increased competition due to, among other factors, new facilities, excess supply, shifting demand and regulatory changes.
Additionally, compliance with existing and potential new regulations related to the operation and maintenance of our natural gas infrastructure could result in significant costs. The PHMSA is responsible for administering the DOT’s national regulatory program to assure the safe transportation of natural gas, petroleum and other hazardous materials by pipelines. The PHMSA continues to develop regulations and other approaches to risk management to assure safety in design, construction, testing, operation, maintenance and emergency response of natural gas pipeline infrastructure. We have programs in place to comply with these regulations and systematically monitor and renew infrastructure over time; however, a significant incident or material finding of non-compliance could result in penalties and higher costs of operations.
Our natural gas and electric transmission and distribution operations are dependent upon complex information technology systems and network infrastructure, the failure of which could disrupt our normal business operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to process transactions and provide services.
Our utility operations are subject to long-term planning and project risks.
Most utility investments are planned to be used for decades. Transmission and generation investments typically have long lead times and are planned well in advance of in-service dates and typically subject to long-term resource plans. These plans are based on numerous assumptions such as: sales growth, customer usage, commodity prices, economic activity, costs, regulatory mechanisms, customer behavior, available technology and public policy. Our long-term resource plan is dependent on our ability to obtain required approvals, develop necessary technical expertise, allocate and coordinate sufficient resources and adhere to budgets and timelines.
In addition, the long-term nature of both our planning processes and our asset lives are subject to risk. The utility sector is undergoing significant change (e.g., increases in energy efficiency, wider adoption of distributed generation and shifts away from fossil fuel generation to renewable generation). Customer adoption of these technologies and increased energy efficiency could result in excess transmission and generation resources, downward pressure on sales growth, and potentially stranded costs if we are not able to fully recover costs and investments.
The magnitude and timing of resource additions and changes in customer demand may not coincide with evolving customer preference for generation resources and end-uses, which introduces further uncertainty into long-term planning. Efforts to electrify the transportation and building sectors to reduce GHG emissions may result in higher electric demand and lower natural gas demand over time. New data centers and crypto mining facilities could generate significant increase in demand. Higher electric demand may require us to adopt new technologies and make significant transmission and distribution investments including advanced grid infrastructure, which increases exposure to overall grid instability and technology obsolescence. Evolving stakeholder preference for lower emissions from generation sources and end-uses, like heating, may impact our resource mix and put pressure on our ability to recover capital investments in natural gas generation and delivery. Multiple states may not agree as to the appropriate resource mix, which may lead to costs to comply with one jurisdiction that are not recoverable across all jurisdictions served by the same assets.
We require inputs such as coal, natural gas and water. Lack of availability of these resources could jeopardize long-term operations of our facilities or make them uneconomic to operate.
Our utility operations are highly dependent on suppliers to deliver components in accordance with short and long-term project schedules.
Our products contain components that are globally sourced from suppliers. A shortage of key components in which an alternative supplier is not identified could significantly impact operations and project plans for PSCo and our customers. Such impacts could include timing of projects and the potential for project cancellation. Failure to adhere to project budgets and timelines could adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We are subject to commodity risks and other risks associated with energy markets and energy production.
A significant increase in fuel costs could cause a decline in customer demand, adverse regulatory outcomes and an increase in bad debt expense which may have a material impact on our results of operations. Despite existing fuel cost recovery mechanisms, higher fuel costs could significantly impact our results of operations if costs are not recovered. Delays in the timing of the collection of fuel cost recoveries could impact our cash flows and liquidity.
A significant disruption in supply could cause us to seek alternatives at potentially higher costs. Additionally, supply shortages may not be fully resolved, which negatively impacts our ability to provide services to our customers. Failure to provide service due to disruptions may also result in fines, penalties or cost disallowances through the regulatory process. Also, significantly higher energy or fuel costs relative to sales commitments negatively impacts our cash flows and results of operations.
We also engage in wholesale sales and purchases of electric capacity, energy and energy-related products as well as natural gas. In many markets, emission allowances and/or RECs are also needed to comply with various statutes and commission rulings. As a result, we are subject to market supply and commodity price risk.
Commodity price changes can affect the value of our commodity trading derivatives. We mark certain derivatives to estimated fair market value on a daily basis. Settlements can vary significantly from estimated fair values recorded and significant changes from the assumptions underlying our fair value estimates could cause earnings variability. The management of risks associated with hedging and trading is based, in part, on programs and procedures which utilize historical prices and trends.
Public perception often does not distinguish between pass through commodity costs and base rates. High commodity prices that are passed through to customer bills could impact our ability to recover costs for other improvements and operations.
Due to the uncertainty involved in price movements and potential deviation from historical pricing, PSCo is unable to fully assure that its risk management programs and procedures would be effective to protect against all significant adverse market deviations. In addition, PSCo cannot fully assure that its controls will be effective against all potential risks. If such programs and procedures are not effective, PSCo’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows could be materially impacted.
Failure to attract and retain a qualified workforce could have an adverse effect on operations.
The competition for talent has become increasingly prevalent, and we have experienced increased employee turnover due to the condition of the labor market and decisions related to strategic workforce planning. In addition, specialized knowledge and skills are required for many of our positions, which may pose additional difficulty for us as we work to recruit, retain and motivate employees in this climate.
Failure to hire, adequately train replacement employees, transfer knowledge/expertise or future availability and cost of contract labor may adversely affect the ability to manage and operate our business. Inability to attract and retain these employees could adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Our businesses have collective bargaining agreements with labor unions. Failure to renew or renegotiate these contracts could lead to labor disruptions, including strikes or boycotts. Such disruptions or any negotiated wage or benefit increases could have a material adverse impact to our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
National unionization efforts could affect our business, as an increase in unionized workers could challenge our operational efficiency and increase costs.
Our operations use third-party contractors in addition to employees to perform periodic and ongoing work.
We rely on third-party contractors to perform operations, maintenance and construction work. Our contractual arrangements with these contractors typically include performance and safety standards, progress payments, insurance requirements and security for performance. Poor vendor performance or contractor unavailability could impact ongoing operations, restoration operations, regulatory recovery, our reputation and could introduce financial risk or risks of fines.
Our employees, directors, third-party contractors, or suppliers may violate or be perceived to violate our Codes of Conduct, which could have an adverse effect on our reputation.
We are exposed to risk of employee or third-party contractor fraud or misconduct. All employees and members of the Board of Directors are subject to compliance with our Code of Conduct and are required to participate in annual training. Additionally, suppliers are subject to compliance with our Supplier Code of Conduct. PSCo does not tolerate discrimination, violations of our Code of Conduct or other unacceptable behaviors. However, it is not always possible to identify and deter misconduct by employees and other third-parties, which may result in governmental investigations, other actions or lawsuits. If such actions are taken against us we may suffer loss of reputation and such actions could have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We are a wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc. Xcel Energy Inc. can exercise substantial control over our dividend policy and business and operations and may exercise that control in a manner that may be perceived to be adverse to our interests.
All of the members of our Board of Directors, as well as many of our executive officers, are officers of Xcel Energy Inc. Our Board of Directors makes determinations with respect to a number of significant corporate events, including the payment of our dividends.
We have historically paid quarterly dividends to Xcel Energy Inc. If Xcel Energy Inc.’s cash requirements increase, our Board of Directors could decide to increase the dividends we pay to Xcel Energy Inc. to help support Xcel Energy Inc.’s cash needs. This could adversely affect our liquidity. The most restrictive dividend limitation for PSCo is imposed by its credit facility, which limits the debt-to-total capitalization ratio.
See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.
Financial Risks
Our profitability depends on our ability to recover costs and changes in regulation may impair our ability to recover costs from our customers.
We are subject to comprehensive regulation by federal and state utility regulatory agencies, including siting and construction of facilities, customer service and the rates that we can charge customers.
The profitability of our operations is dependent on our ability to recover the costs of providing energy and utility services and earn a return on capital investment. Our rates are generally regulated and are based on an analysis of our costs incurred in a test year. We are subject to both future and historical test years depending upon the regulatory jurisdiction. Thus, the rates we are allowed to charge may or may not match our costs at any given time. Rate regulation is premised on providing an opportunity to earn a reasonable rate of return on invested capital.
There can also be no assurance that our regulatory commissions will judge all our costs to be prudent, which could result in disallowances, or that the regulatory process will always result in rates that will produce full recovery.
Overall, management believes prudently incurred costs are recoverable given the existing regulatory framework. However, there may be changes in the regulatory environment that could impair our ability to recover costs historically collected from customers, or we could exceed caps on capital costs required by commissions and result in less than full recovery.
Changes in the long-term cost-effectiveness or to the operating conditions of our assets may result in early retirements of utility facilities. While regulation typically provides cost recovery for these types of changes, there is no assurance that regulators would allow full recovery of all remaining costs.
Higher than expected inflation or tariffs may increase costs of construction and operations. Also, rising fuel costs could increase the risk that we will not be able to fully recover our fuel costs from our customers.
Adverse regulatory rulings (including changes in recovery mechanisms) or the imposition of additional regulations could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and materially affect our ability to meet our financial obligations, including debt payments and the payment of dividends on common stock.
Any reductions in our credit ratings could increase our financing costs and the cost of maintaining certain contractual relationships.
Our credit ratings are subject to change and our credit ratings may be lowered or withdrawn by a rating agency. Significant events including disallowance of costs, use of historic test years, elimination of riders or interim rates, increasing depreciation lives, lower returns on equity, changes to equity ratios and impacts of tax policy may impact our cash flows and credit metrics, potentially resulting in a change in our credit ratings. In addition, our credit ratings may change as a result of the differing methodologies or change in the methodologies used by the various rating agencies.
Any credit ratings downgrade could lead to higher borrowing costs or lower proceeds from equity issuances. It could also impact our ability to access capital markets. Also, we may enter into contracts that require posting of collateral or settlement if credit ratings fall below investment grade.
We are subject to capital market and interest rate risks.
Utility operations require significant capital investment. As a result, we frequently need to access capital markets. Any disruption in capital markets could have a material impact on our ability to fund our operations. Capital market disruption and financial market distress could prevent us from issuing commercial paper, issuing new securities or cause us to issue securities with unfavorable terms and conditions, such as higher interest rates or lower proceeds from equity issuances. Higher interest rates on short-term borrowings with variable interest rates could also have an adverse effect on our operating results.
We are subject to credit risks.
Credit risk includes the risk that our customers will not pay their bills, which may lead to a reduction in our cash flow and liquidity and an increase in bad debt expense. Credit risk is comprised of numerous factors including the price of products and services provided, the economy and unemployment rates.
Credit risk also includes the risk that counterparties that owe us money or product will become insolvent and may breach their obligations. Should the counterparties fail to perform, we may be forced to enter into alternative arrangements. In that event, our financial results could be adversely affected and incur losses.
We may have direct credit exposure in our short-term wholesale and commodity trading activity to financial institutions trading for their own accounts or issuing collateral support on behalf of other counterparties. We may also have some indirect credit exposure due to participation in organized markets, (e.g., SPP, Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. and California ISO), in which any credit losses are socialized to all market participants.
We have additional indirect credit exposure to financial institutions from letters of credit provided as security by power suppliers under various purchased power contracts. If any of the credit ratings of the letter of credit issuers were to drop below investment grade, the supplier would need to replace that security with an acceptable substitute. If the security were not replaced, the party could be in default under the contract.
As we are a subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc., we may be negatively affected by events impacting the credit or liquidity of Xcel Energy Inc. and its affiliates.
If either S&P or Moody’s Investor Services were to downgrade Xcel Energy Inc.’s debt securities below investment grade, it would increase Xcel Energy Inc.’s cost of capital and restrict its access to the capital markets. This could limit Xcel Energy Inc.’s ability to contribute equity or make loans to us or may cause Xcel Energy Inc. to seek additional or accelerated funding from us in the form of dividends. If such event were to occur, we may need to seek alternative sources of funds to meet our cash needs.
As of Dec. 31, 2023, Xcel Energy Inc. and its utility subsidiaries had approximately $24.9 billion of long-term debt and $1.3 billion of short-term debt and current maturities. Xcel Energy Inc. provides various guarantees and bond indemnities supporting some of its subsidiaries by guaranteeing the payment or performance by these subsidiaries for specified agreements or transactions.
Xcel Energy also has other contingent liabilities resulting from various tax disputes and other matters. Xcel Energy Inc.’s exposure under the guarantees is based upon the net liability of the relevant subsidiary under the specified agreements or transactions. The majority of Xcel Energy Inc.’s guarantees limit its exposure to a maximum amount that is stated in the guarantees.
As of Dec. 31, 2023, Xcel Energy had the following guarantees outstanding:
•$951 million for performance and payment of Capital Services, LLC contracts for wind and solar generating equipment, with immaterial exposure.
•$100 million for performance on tax credit sale agreements of its subsidiaries, with immaterial exposure.
•$75 million for performance and payment of surety bonds for the benefit of itself and its subsidiaries, with total exposure that cannot be estimated at this time.
If Xcel Energy Inc. were to become obligated to make payments under these guarantees and bond indemnities or become obligated to fund other contingent liabilities, it could limit Xcel Energy Inc.’s ability to contribute equity or make loans to us, or may cause Xcel Energy Inc. to seek additional or accelerated funding from us in the form of dividends. If such event were to occur, we may need to seek alternative sources of funds to meet our cash needs.
Increasing costs of our defined benefit retirement plans and employee benefits may adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We have defined benefit pension and postretirement plans that cover most of our employees. Assumptions related to future costs, return on investments, interest rates and other actuarial assumptions have a significant impact on our funding requirements of these plans. Estimates and assumptions may change. In addition, the Pension Protection Act sets the minimum funding requirements for defined benefit pension plans. Therefore, our funding requirements and contributions may change in the future. Also, the payout of a significant percentage of pension plan liabilities in a single year due to high numbers of retirements or employees leaving PSCo would trigger settlement accounting and could require PSCo to recognize incremental pension expense related to unrecognized plan losses in the year liabilities are paid. Changes in industry standards utilized in key assumptions (e.g., mortality tables) could have a significant impact on future obligations and benefit costs.
Increasing costs associated with health care plans may adversely affect our results of operations.
Increasing levels of large individual health care claims and overall health care claims could have an adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Health care legislation could also significantly impact our benefit programs and costs.
Federal tax law may significantly impact our business.
PSCo collects estimated federal, state and local tax payments through their regulated rates. Changes to federal tax law may benefit or adversely affect our earnings and customer costs. Tax depreciable lives and the value/availability of various tax credits or the timeliness of their utilization may impact the economics or selection of resources. If tax rates are increased, there could be timing delays before regulated rates provide for recovery of such tax increases in revenues. In addition, certain IRS tax policies such as tax normalization may impact our ability to economically deliver certain types of resources relative to market prices.
Macroeconomic Risks
Economic conditions impact our business.
Our operations are affected by economic conditions, which correlates to customers/sales growth (decline). Economic conditions may be impacted by recessionary factors, rising interest rates and insufficient financial sector liquidity leading to potential increased unemployment, which may impact customers’ ability to pay their bills which could lead to additional bad debt expense.
PSCo faces competitive factors, which could have an adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Further, worldwide economic activity impacts the demand for basic commodities necessary for utility infrastructure, which may inhibit our ability to acquire sufficient supplies. We operate in a capital intensive industry and federal trade policy could significantly impact the cost of materials we use. There may be delays before these additional material costs can be recovered in rates.
The oil and gas industry represents our largest commercial and industrial customer base. Oil and natural gas prices are sensitive to market risk factors which may impact demand.
We face risks related to health epidemics and other outbreaks, which may have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Health epidemics impact countries, communities, supply chains and markets. Uncertainty continues to exist regarding epidemics; the duration and magnitude of business restrictions including shutdowns (domestically and globally); the potential impact on the workforce including shortages of employees and third-party contractors due to quarantine policies, vaccination requirements or government restrictions; impacts on the transportation of goods, and the generalized impact on the economy.
We cannot ultimately predict whether an epidemic will have a material impact on our future liquidity, financial condition or results of operations. Nor can we predict the impact on the health of our employees, our supply chain or our ability to recover higher costs associated with managing an outbreak.
Operations could be impacted by war, terrorism or other events.
Our generation plants, fuel storage facilities, transmission and distribution facilities and information and control systems may be targets of terrorist activities. Any disruption could impact operations or result in a decrease in revenues and additional costs to repair and insure our assets. These disruptions could have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The potential for terrorism has subjected our operations to increased risks and could have a material effect on our business. We have incurred increased costs for security and capital expenditures in response to these risks. The insurance industry has also been affected by these events and the availability of insurance may decrease. In addition, insurance may have higher deductibles, higher premiums and more restrictive policy terms.
A disruption of the regional electric transmission grid, interstate natural gas pipeline infrastructure or other fuel sources, could negatively impact our business, brand and reputation. Because our facilities are part of an interconnected system, we face the risk of possible loss of business due to a disruption caused by the actions of a neighboring utility.
We also face the risks of possible loss of business due to significant events such as severe storms, temperature extremes, wildfires, widespread pandemic, generator or transmission facility outage, pipeline rupture, railroad disruption, operator error, sudden and significant increase or decrease in wind generation or a workforce disruption.
In addition, major catastrophic events throughout the world may disrupt our business. While we have business continuity plans in place, our ability to recover may be prolonged due to the type and extent of the event. PSCo participates in a global supply chain, which includes materials and components that are globally sourced. A prolonged disruption could result in the delay of equipment and materials that may impact our ability to connect, restore and reliably serve our customers.
A major disruption could result in a significant decrease in revenues, additional costs to repair assets, and an adverse impact on the cost and availability of insurance, which could have a material impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
A cybersecurity incident or security breach could have a material effect on our business.
We operate in an industry that requires the continued operation of sophisticated information technology, control systems and network infrastructure. In addition, we use our systems and infrastructure to create, collect, use, disclose, store, dispose of and otherwise process sensitive information, including Company data, customer energy usage data, and personal information regarding customers, employees and their dependents, contractors and other individuals.
Our generation, transmission, distribution and fuel storage facilities, information technology systems and other infrastructure or physical assets, as well as information processed in our systems (e.g., information regarding our customers, employees, operations, infrastructure and assets) could be affected by cybersecurity incidents, including those caused by human error.
The utility industry has been the target of several attacks on operational systems and has seen an increased volume and sophistication of cybersecurity incidents from international activist organizations, other countries and individuals. We expect to continue to experience attempts to compromise our information technology and control systems, network infrastructure and other assets. To date, no cybersecurity incident or attack has had a material impact on our business or results of operations.
Cybersecurity incidents could harm our businesses by limiting our generation, transmission and distribution capabilities, delaying our development and construction of new facilities or capital improvement projects to existing facilities, disrupting our customer operations or causing the release of customer information, all of which would likely receive state and federal regulatory scrutiny and could expose us to liability.
Our generation, transmission systems and natural gas pipelines are part of an interconnected system. Therefore, a disruption caused by the impact of a cybersecurity incident on the regional electric transmission grid, natural gas pipeline infrastructure or other fuel sources of our third-party service providers’ operations, could also negatively impact our business.
Generative Artificial Intelligence, such as large language models like ChatGPT, present a range of challenges and potential risks as we consider impacts to the business. These challenges involve navigating the complexities of creating and deploying AI models that generate content autonomously. Data privacy, legal concerns, and security issues are all risks as this technology continues to be adopted.
Our supply chain for procurement of digital equipment and services may expose software or hardware to these risks and could result in a breach or significant costs of remediation. We are unable to quantify the potential impact of cybersecurity threats or subsequent related actions. Cybersecurity incidents and regulatory action could result in a material decrease in revenues and may cause significant additional costs (e.g., penalties, third-party claims, repairs, insurance or compliance) and potentially disrupt our supply and markets for natural gas, oil and other fuels.
We maintain security measures to protect our information technology and control systems, network infrastructure and other assets. However, these assets and the information they process may be vulnerable to cybersecurity incidents, including asset failure or unauthorized access to assets or information. A failure or breach of our technology systems or those of our third-party service providers could disrupt critical business functions and may negatively impact our business, our brand, and our reputation. The cybersecurity threat is dynamic and evolves continually, and our efforts to prioritize network protection may not be effective given the constant changes to threat vulnerability.
While the Company maintains insurance relating to cybersecurity events, such insurance is subject to a number of exclusions and may be insufficient to offset any losses, costs or damages experienced. Also, the market for cybersecurity insurance is relatively new and coverage available for cybersecurity events is evolving as the industry matures.
Our operating results may fluctuate on a seasonal and quarterly basis and can be adversely affected by milder weather.
Our electric and natural gas utility businesses are seasonal and weather patterns can have a material impact on our operating performance. Demand for electricity is often greater in the summer and winter months associated with cooling and heating. Because natural gas is heavily used for residential and commercial heating, the demand depends heavily upon weather patterns. A significant amount of natural gas revenues are recognized in the first and fourth quarters related to the heating season. Accordingly, our operations have historically generated less revenues and income when weather conditions are milder in the winter and cooler in the summer. Unusually mild winters and summers could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Public Policy Risks
Increased risks of regulatory penalties could negatively impact our business.
The Energy Act increased civil penalty authority for violation of FERC statutes, rules and orders. FERC can impose penalties of up to $1.5 million per violation per day, particularly as it relates to energy trading activities for both electricity and natural gas. In addition, NERC electric reliability standards and critical infrastructure protection requirements are mandatory and subject to potential financial penalties. Also, the PHMSA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and other federal agencies have the authority to assess penalties.
In the event of serious incidents, these agencies may pursue penalties. In addition, certain states have the authority to impose substantial penalties. If a serious reliability, cybersecurity or safety incident did occur, it could have a material effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
The continued use of natural gas for both power generation and gas distribution have increasingly become a public policy advocacy target. These efforts may result in a limitation of natural gas as an energy source for both power generation and heating, which could impact our ability to reliably and affordably serve our customers.
In recent years, there have been various local and state agency proposals within and outside our service territories that would attempt to restrict the use and availability of natural gas. If such policies were to prevail, we may be forced to make new resource investment decisions which could potentially result in stranded costs if we are not able to fully recover costs and investments and impact the overall reliability of our service.
Environmental Policy Risks
We may be subject to legislative and regulatory responses to climate change, with which compliance could be difficult and costly.
Legislative and regulatory responses related to climate change may create financial risk as our facilities may be subject to additional regulation at either the state or federal level in the future. International agreements could additionally lead to future federal or state regulations.
In 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change reached consensus among 190 nations on an agreement (the Paris Agreement) that establishes a framework for GHG mitigation actions by all countries, with a goal of holding the increase in global average temperature to below 2º Celsius above pre-industrial levels and an aspiration to limit the increase to 1.5º Celsius.
International commitments and agreements could result in future additional GHG reductions in the United States. In addition, in 2023 the EPA intends to publish draft regulations for GHG emissions from the power sector consistent with the agency’s Clean Air Act authorities.
Many states and localities continue to pursue their own climate policies. The steps Xcel Energy has taken to date to reduce GHG emissions, including energy efficiency measures, adding renewable generation and retiring or converting coal plants to natural gas, occurred under state-endorsed resource plans, renewable energy standards and other state policies.
We may be subject to climate change lawsuits. An adverse outcome could require substantial capital expenditures and possibly require payment of substantial penalties or damages. Defense costs associated with such litigation can also be significant and could affect results of operations, financial condition or cash flows if such costs are not recovered through regulated rates.
If our regulators do not allow us to recover all or a part of the cost of capital investment or the O&M costs incurred to comply with the mandates, it could have a material effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
We are subject to environmental laws and regulations, with which compliance could be difficult and costly.
We are subject to environmental laws and regulations that affect many aspects of our operations, including air emissions, water quality, wastewater discharges and the generation, transport and disposal of solid wastes and hazardous substances. Laws and regulations require us to obtain permits, licenses, and approvals and to comply with a variety of environmental requirements.
Environmental laws and regulations can also require us to restrict or limit the output of facilities or the use of certain fuels, shift generation to lower-emitting facilities, install pollution control equipment, clean up spills and other contamination and correct environmental hazards. Failure to meet requirements of environmental mandates may result in fines or penalties. We may be required to pay all or a portion of the cost to remediate sites where our past activities, or the activities of other parties, caused environmental contamination.
Changes in environmental policies and regulations or regulatory decisions may result in early retirements of our generation facilities. While regulation typically provides relief for these types of changes, there is no assurance that regulators would allow full recovery of all remaining costs.
We are subject to mandates to provide customers with clean energy, renewable energy and energy conservation offerings. It could have a material effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows if our regulators do not allow us to recover the cost of capital investment or O&M costs incurred to comply with the requirements.
In addition, existing environmental laws or regulations may be revised, and new laws or regulations may be adopted. We may also incur additional unanticipated obligations or liabilities under existing environmental laws and regulations.
We are subject to physical and financial risks associated with climate change and other weather, natural disaster and resource depletion impacts.
Climate change can create physical and financial risk. Physical risks include changes in weather conditions and extreme weather events.
Our customers’ energy needs vary with weather. To the extent weather conditions are affected by climate change, customers’ energy use could increase or decrease. Increased energy use due to weather changes may require us to invest in generating assets, transmission and infrastructure. Decreased energy use due to weather changes may result in decreased revenues.
Climate change may impact the economy, which could impact our sales and revenues. The price of energy has an impact on the economic health of our communities. The cost of additional regulatory requirements, such as regulation of GHG, could impact the availability of goods and prices charged by our suppliers which would normally be borne by consumers through higher prices for energy and purchased goods. To the extent financial markets view climate change and emissions of GHGs as a financial risk, this could negatively affect our ability to access capital markets or cause us to receive less than ideal terms and conditions.
We establish strategies and expectations related to climate change and other environmental matters. Our ability to achieve any such strategies or expectations is subject to numerous factors and conditions, many of which are outside of our control. Examples of such factors include, but are not limited to, evolving legal, regulatory, and other standards, processes, and assumptions, the pace of scientific and technological developments, increased costs, the availability of requisite financing, and changes in carbon markets. Failures or delays (whether actual or perceived) in achieving our strategies or expectations related to climate change and other environmental matters could adversely affect our business, operations, and reputation, and increase risk of litigation.
Severe weather impacts our service territories, primarily when thunderstorms, flooding, tornadoes, wildfires and snow or ice storms or extreme temperatures (high heating/cooling days) occur. Extreme weather conditions in general require system backup and can contribute to increased system stress, including service interruptions. Extreme weather conditions creating high energy demand may raise electricity prices, increasing the cost of energy we provide to our customers.
To the extent the frequency of extreme weather events increases, this could increase our cost of providing service and result in more frequent service interruptions. Periods of extreme temperatures could also impact our ability to meet demand.
More frequent and severe drought conditions, extreme swings in amount and timing of precipitation, changes in vegetation, unseasonably warm temperatures, very low humidity, stronger winds and other factors have increased the duration of the wildfire season and the potential impact of an event. Also, the expansion of the wildland urban interface increases the wildfire risk to surrounding communities and PSCo's electric and natural gas infrastructure.
Other potential risks associated with wildfires and other climate events include the inability to secure sufficient insurance coverage, or increased costs of insurance, regulatory recovery risk, and the potential for a credit downgrade and subsequent additional costs to access capital markets.
While we carry liability insurance, given an extreme event, if PSCo was found to be liable for wildfire damages, amounts that potentially exceed our coverage could negatively impact our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Drought or water depletion could adversely impact our ability to provide electricity to customers, cause early retirement of power plants and increase the cost for energy. Adverse events may result in increased insurance costs and/or decreased insurance availability. We may not recover all costs related to mitigating these physical and financial risks.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B - UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES
Virtually all of the utility plant property of PSCo is subject to the lien of its first mortgage bond indenture.
Station, Location and Unit at Dec. 31, 2023 Fuel Installed MW (a)
Steam:
Comanche-Pueblo, CO
Unit 2 Coal 1975 330
Unit 3 Coal 2010 500 (b)
Craig-Craig, CO, 2 Units Coal 1979 - 1980 82 (c)
Hayden-Hayden, CO, 2 Units Coal 1965 - 1976 233 (d)
Pawnee-Brush, CO, 1 Unit Coal 1981 505
Cherokee-Denver, CO, 1 Unit Natural Gas 1968 310
Combustion Turbine:
Blue Spruce-Aurora, CO, 2 Units Natural Gas 2003 264
Cherokee-Denver, CO, 3 Units Natural Gas 2015 576
Fort St. Vrain-Platteville, CO, 6 Units Natural Gas 1972 - 2009 1,022
Manchief, CO, 2 Units . Natural Gas 2000 250
Rocky Mountain-Keenesburg, CO, 3 Units Natural Gas 2004 592
Various locations, 8 Units Natural Gas Various 247
Hydro:
Cabin Creek-Georgetown, CO
Pumped Storage, 2 Units Hydro 1967 210
Various locations, 6 Units Hydro Various 23
Wind:
Rush Creek, CO, 300 units Wind 2018 582 (e)
Cheyenne Ridge, CO, 229 units Wind 2020 477 (e)
Total 6,203
(a)Summer 2023 net dependable capacity. Wind is presented as net maximum capacity.
(b)Based on PSCo’s ownership of 67%.
(c)Based on PSCo’s ownership of 10%.
(d)Based on PSCo’s ownership of 76% of Unit 1 and 37% of Unit 2.
(e)Net maximum capacity is attainable only when wind conditions are sufficiently available. Typical average capacity factors are 35-50% for wind facilities. For the year ended Dec. 31, 2023 the Company’s wind facilities had a weighted-average capacity factors of 43%.
Electric utility overhead and underground transmission and distribution lines (measured in conductor miles) at Dec. 31, 2023:
Conductor Miles
Transmission
345 KV 5,421
230 KV 12,244
138 KV 92
115 KV 4,994
Less than 115 KV 1,782
Total Transmission 24,533
Distribution
Less than 115 KV 80,176
Total 104,709
PSCo had 235 electric utility transmission and distribution substations at Dec. 31, 2023.
Natural gas utility mains at Dec. 31, 2023:
Miles
Transmission 2,024
Distribution 23,494

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
PSCo is involved in various litigation matters in the ordinary course of business. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or is a reasonable possibility, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events. Management maintains accruals for losses probable of being incurred and subject to reasonable estimation.
Management is sometimes unable to estimate an amount or range of a reasonably possible loss in certain situations, including but not limited to, when (1) the damages sought are indeterminate, (2) the proceedings are in the early stages, or (3) the matters involve novel or unsettled legal theories. In such cases, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the timing or ultimate resolution of such matters, including a possible eventual loss.
For current proceedings not specifically reported herein, management does not anticipate that the ultimate liabilities, if any, would have a material effect on PSCo’s consolidated financial statements. Legal fees are generally expensed as incurred.
See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements, Item 1 and Item 7 for further information.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4 - MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
PSCo is a wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc. and there is no market for its common equity securities.
See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.
The dividends declared during 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022
First quarter $ 183 $ 129
Second quarter 189 132
Third quarter 161 127
Fourth quarter 72 119

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6 - [RESERVED]

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7 - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Discussion of financial condition and liquidity for PSCo is omitted per conditions set forth in general instructions I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K for wholly owned subsidiaries. It is replaced with management’s narrative analysis and the results of operations for the current year as set forth in general instructions I(2)(a) of Form 10-K for wholly owned subsidiaries (reduced disclosure format).
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The following discussion includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as certain non-GAAP financial measures such as ongoing earnings. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a measure of a company’s financial performance, financial position or cash flows that is adjusted from measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.
PSCo’s management uses non-GAAP measures for financial planning and analysis, for reporting of results to the Board of Directors, in determining performance-based compensation and communicating its earnings outlook to analysts and investors. Non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement investors’ understanding of our performance and should not be considered alternatives for financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures are discussed in more detail below and may not be comparable to other companies’ similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures.
Earnings Adjusted for Certain Items (Ongoing Earnings)
Ongoing earnings reflect adjustments to GAAP earnings (net income) for certain items.
We use this non-GAAP financial measure to evaluate and provide details of PSCo’s core earnings and underlying performance. For instance, to present ongoing earnings, we may adjust the related GAAP amounts for certain items that are non-recurring in nature. We believe this measurement is useful to investors to evaluate the actual and projected financial performance and contribution of our subsidiaries. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered as an alternative to measures calculated and reported in accordance with GAAP.
The following table provides a reconciliation of GAAP earnings (net income) to ongoing earnings:
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022
GAAP net income $ 695 $ 727
Loss on Comanche Unit 3 litigation 35 -
Workforce reduction expenses 20 -
Less: tax effect of adjustment (13) -
Ongoing earnings $ 737 $ 727
Comanche Unit 3 Litigation - In the third quarter of 2023, PSCo recognized a $34 million loss due to a jury verdict in Denver County District Court awarding CORE lost power damages and other costs. PSCo intends to file an appeal of this decision. Given the non-recurring nature of this specific item, it has been excluded from ongoing earnings.
Workforce Reduction - In 2023, Xcel Energy implemented workforce actions to align resources and investments with our evolving business and customer needs, and streamline the organization for long-term success. Xcel Energy initiated a voluntary retirement program, under which approximately 400 eligible non-bargaining employees retired. Xcel Energy also eliminated approximately 150 non-bargaining employees through an involuntary severance program.
Total Xcel Energy workforce reduction expenses of $72 million were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023, of which $20 million was attributable to PSCo. Given the non-recurring nature of this item, it has been excluded from ongoing earnings.
Results of Operations
2023 Comparison to 2022
PSCo’s GAAP net income was $695 million for 2023, compared to $727 million for 2022. Ongoing net income was $737 million for 2023, compared to $727 million for 2022. Ongoing earnings primarily reflects higher recovery of infrastructure investment and lower O&M expenses, which were partially offset by increased depreciation, interest charges and unfavorable weather.
Electric Margin
Electric margin is presented as electric revenues less electric fuel and purchased power expenses. Expenses incurred for electric fuel and purchased power are generally recovered through various regulatory recovery mechanisms. As a result, changes in these expenses are generally offset in operating revenues.
Electric revenues and fuel and purchased power expenses are impacted by fluctuations in the price of natural gas and coal. However, these fluctuations have minimal impact on margin due to fuel recovery mechanisms. In addition, electric customers receive a credit for PTCs generated, which reduce electric revenue and margin (offset by lower tax expense).
Electric Revenues, Fuel and Purchased Power and Electric Margin
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022
Electric revenues $ 3,731 $ 3,795
Electric fuel and purchased power (1,364) (1,485)
Electric margin $ 2,367 $ 2,310
Changes in Electric Margin
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 vs. 2022
Regulatory rate outcome $ 56
Non-fuel riders 26
Wholesale transmission revenue (net) 6
Estimated impact of weather (net of decoupling) (23)
Sales and demand (a)
(5)
Other (net) (3)
Total increase $ 57
(a)Sales excludes weather impact, net of partial decoupling (mechanism expired in September).
Natural Gas Margin
Natural gas margin is presented as natural gas revenues less the cost of natural gas sold and transported. Expenses incurred for the cost of natural gas sold are generally recovered through various regulatory recovery mechanisms. As a result, changes in these expenses are generally offset in operating revenues.
Natural gas expense varies with changing sales and the cost of natural gas. However, fluctuations in the cost of natural gas generally have minimal earnings impact due to cost recovery mechanisms.
Natural Gas Revenues, Cost of Natural Gas Sold and Transported and Natural Gas Margin
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022
Natural gas revenues $ 1,734 $ 1,860
Cost of natural gas sold and transported (910) (1,053)
Natural gas margin $ 824 $ 807
Changes in Natural Gas Margin
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 vs. 2022
Regulatory rate outcomes 47
Estimated impact of weather $ (12)
Other (net) (18)
Total increase $ 17
Non-Fuel Operating Expenses and Other Items
O&M Expenses - O&M expenses decreased $40 million in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to impact of management cost containment efforts, the timing of regulatory deferrals and the exit of our appliance repair services business, offset by the impact of inflationary pressures, including labor.
Depreciation and Amortization - Depreciation and amortization increased $76 million in 2023. The increase was primarily due to system expansion and new electric and natural gas depreciation rates.
Interest Charges - Interest expenses increased $41 million in 2023. The increase was largely due to increased long-term debt levels to fund capital investments and higher interest rates.
Public Utility Regulation
The FERC and state and local regulatory commissions regulate PSCo. PSCo is subject to rate regulation by state utility regulatory agencies, which have jurisdiction with respect to the rates of electric and natural gas distribution companies in Colorado.
Rates are designed to recover plant investment, operating costs and an allowed return on investment. PSCo requests changes in utility rates through commission filings. Changes in operating costs can affect PSCo’s financial results, depending on the timing of rate cases and implementation of final rates. Other factors affecting rate filings are new investments, sales, conservation and DSM efforts, and the cost of capital.
In addition, the regulatory commissions authorize the ROE, capital structure and depreciation rates in rate proceedings. Decisions by these regulators can significantly impact PSCo’s results of operations and credit quality.
See Rate Matters within Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.
Summary of Regulatory Agencies / RTO and Areas of Jurisdiction
Regulatory Body / RTO Additional Information on Regulatory Authority
CPUC Retail rates, accounts, services, issuance of securities and other aspects of electric, natural gas and steam operations.
Reviews and approves Integrated Resource Plans for meeting future energy needs.
Certifies the need and siting for generating plans greater than 50 MW.
Pipeline safety compliance.
FERC Wholesale electric operations, accounting practices, hydroelectric licensing, wholesale sales for resale, transmission of electricity in interstate commerce, compliance with the NERC electric reliability standards, asset transactions and mergers and natural gas transactions in interstate commerce.
Wholesale electric sales at cost-based prices to customers inside PSCo’s balancing authority area and at market-based prices to customers outside PSCo’s balancing authority area.
PSCo holds a FERC certificate that allows it to transport natural gas in interstate commerce without PSCo becoming subject to full FERC jurisdiction.
RTO PSCo is not presently a member of an RTO and does not operate within an RTO energy market. However, PSCo does make certain sales to other RTO’s, including SPP and participates in the SPP Western Energy Imbalance Service market, an energy imbalance market.
DOT Pipeline safety compliance.
Recovery Mechanisms
Mechanism Additional Information
Colorado Energy Plan Adjustment Recovers the early retirement costs of Comanche Units 1 and 2 to a maximum of 1% of the customer’s bill.
Decoupling Mechanism to true-up revenue to a baseline amount for residential (excluding lighting and demand) and metered non-demand small C&I classes (pilot program ended Sept. 2023, with amortization of previously deferred amounts expected through 2026).
DSM Cost Adjustment Recovers electric and gas DSM, interruptible service costs and performance incentives for achieving energy savings goals.
ECA Recovers fuel and purchased energy costs. Short-term sales margins are shared with customers. The ECA is revised quarterly.
Fuel Clause Adjustment PSCo recovers fuel and purchased energy costs from wholesale electric customers through a fuel cost adjustment clause approved by the FERC. Wholesale customers pay production costs through a forecasted formula rate subject to true-up.
GCA Recovers costs of purchased natural gas and transportation and is revised quarterly to allow for changes in natural gas rates.
Purchased Capacity Cost Adjustment Recovers purchased capacity payments.
RES Adjustment Recovers the incremental costs of compliance with the RES with a maximum of 1% of the customer’s bill.
Steam Cost Adjustment Recovers fuel costs to operate the steam system. The Steam Cost Adjustment rate is revised quarterly.
Transmission Cost Adjustment Recovers costs between rate cases for transmission projects that result in a net increase in capacity or are part of an approved wildfire mitigation plan.
Transportation Electrification Plan Recovers costs associated with the investment in and adoption of transportation electrification infrastructure.
Pending and Recently Concluded Regulatory Proceedings
Colorado Electric Rate Case - In 2022, PSCo filed a Colorado electric rate case seeking a revised net increase of $253 million. The total request reflected a $303 million increase, which includes $50 million of authorized costs previously recovered through various rider mechanisms. The request was based on a 10.25% ROE, an equity ratio of 55.7% and a 2023 forecast test year with a 2023 average rate base of $11.3 billion.
In September 2023, the CPUC approved a settlement between PSCo and various parties, which included the following terms:
•Retail revenue increase (excluding rider roll-ins) of $95 million (2.96%), based on a 2022 historic test year using year-end rate base with forward looking known and measurable adjustments.
•Weighted-average cost of capital of 6.95% (based on 55.69% equity ratio and 9.3% ROE).
•Termination of the revenue decoupling pilot.
•Continuation of previously authorized trackers and deferrals.
Rates became effective in September 2023.
Colorado Resource Plan - In August 2022, the CPUC approved a settlement for the Colorado Resource Plan, which provides for an expected carbon reduction and the retirement of PSCo’s remaining coal plant by the end of 2030.
In September 2023 (updated in October 2023), PSCo filed its recommended Preferred Portfolio of resources, which proposed a total of 7,521 MW of generation resources, including 4,716 owned MW and 2,805 purchased power MW. The filing also included several other alternative portfolios.
In December 2023, the CPUC approved an alternative portfolio of 5,835 MW. The decision provides an opportunity to assess timing and levels of incremental renewable resources in the Just Transition Plan filing expected to be submitted by June 1, 2024.
Approved portfolio includes the following resources:
Generation Resource (in MW) Company Owned PPAs Total
Wind Resources 1,325 375 1,700
Solar 858 760 1,618
Storage 500 1,348 1,848
Natural Gas 450 219 669
Total 3,133 2,702 5,835
PSCo expects to invest approximately $4.8 billion in generation resources under the alternative portfolio for the benefit of its customers and achieving the state’s clean energy goals. The CPUC did not approve the May Valley to Longhorn Transmission Line, which was estimated at $250 million.
In December 2023, the CPUC approved two PIMs associated with the generation projects in the portfolio, including a two-way sharing measure related to capital construction costs and another related to ongoing levelized energy costs. These PIMs will be further defined in the written order and related proceedings throughout 2024.
In February 2024, PSCo filed an ARRR to seek approval for an updated portfolio, reflecting inclusion of certain back-up bids and clarifications of the application of PIMs.
Colorado Natural Gas Rate Case - In January 2024, PSCo filed a request with the CPUC seeking an increase to retail natural gas rates of $171 million, or an approximately 9.5% increase in the average residential customer bill. The request is based on a 2023 test year, a 10.25% ROE, an equity ratio of 55% and a $4.2 billion retail rate base which includes projected capital additions through Dec. 31, 2023. PSCo has requested a proposed effective date of Nov. 1, 2024.
PSCo has proposed to defer collection of the increased rates until Feb. 15, 2025 (following the expiration of the rider to recover Winter Storm Uri costs) to mitigate customer bill impacts, with revenues for the deferred period collected over a 12-month period beginning on that date.
The request supports fundamental infrastructure investments to serve customers, consistent with PSCo’s obligation to provide safe, reliable service while enabling PSCo to continue to be a leader of the clean energy transition in partnership with the CPUC to achieve clean heat goals.
Revenue Request (millions of dollars)
Changes since 2022 rate case:
Plant related investments (a)
$ 145
Operations and maintenance, amortization and other expenses 23
Property tax expense 10
Sales growth (7)
Total base revenue request $ 171
(a)Includes approximately $32 million as a result of the increase in ROE from 9.2% to 10.25%.
ECA Fuel Recovery - In December 2022, PSCo filed to recover $123 million of under-recovered 2022 fuel costs over two quarters. In December 2022, the CPUC found that the $123 million should be removed from the proposed ECA rates, and required PSCo to file a separate application to recover these costs.
In 2023, PSCo submitted interim ECA filings to recover $70 million and $25 million, respectively, of the 2022 under-recovered costs.
In the third quarter, PSCo and CPUC Staff filed a settlement allowing for collection of the remaining amount, which after final adjustments was $37 million. In December 2023, the ALJ issued a recommended decision approving the settlement in full. Recovery of costs is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2024.
Colorado Legislation - In May 2023, Colorado Senate Bill 23-291 passed and was signed into law. The bill includes a number of topics including natural gas and electric fuel incentive mechanisms, natural gas planning rules, regulatory filing requirements, and non-recovery of certain expenses (e.g., certain organizational or membership dues, tax penalties or fines).
In November 2023, the CPUC approved PSCo’s natural gas price risk management plan, establishing upper and lower limits for changes in the GCA rate. As a result costs above the upper limit are deferred for future recovery, with interest, and costs below the lower limit are deferred as a reserve against future cost increases.
The legislation also calls for the CPUC to adopt rules to establish fuel cost mechanisms to align the financial incentives of a utility with the interests of the utility’s customers by Jan. 1, 2025. The CPUC issued a request for initial comments on a potential mechanism under which gas utilities would share a percentage, subject to an annual cap, of cost changes in the GCA. A formal rulemaking is expected to commence in the first half of 2024.
Purchased Power and Transmission Service Providers
PSCo meets its system capacity and energy requirements through its fleet of owned and purchased electric generation resources and, when required, the use of demand-side management programs.
Purchased Power - PSCo purchases power from other utilities, energy marketers and independent power producers. Long-term purchased power contracts for dispatchable resources typically require capacity and energy charges. Much of PSCo’s long-term purchased power is for wind, solar and storage resources. PSCo makes short-term purchases to meet system load and energy requirements, replace generation out of service for maintenance, meet operating reserve obligations, or obtain energy at a lower cost.
Energy Markets - PSCo joined the SPP Western Energy Imbalance Service Market in April 2023. This market is an incremental step in the participation in an organized wholesale market. Energy imbalance markets allow participants to buy and sell power close to the time electricity is consumed and gives system operators real-time visibility across neighboring grids. The result improves balancing supply and demand at a lower cost.
Purchased Transmission Services - In addition to using its own transmission system, PSCo has contracts with regional transmission service providers to deliver energy to its customers.
Wholesale and Commodity Marketing Operations
PSCo conducts various wholesale marketing operations, including the purchase and sale of electric capacity, energy, ancillary services and energy related products. PSCo uses physical and financial instruments to minimize commodity price risk and hedge sales and purchases. PSCo also engages in trading activity unrelated to these hedging activities.
Sharing of any margin is determined through state regulatory proceedings as well as the operation of the FERC approved joint operating agreement.
Other
Supply Chain
PSCo’s ability to meet customer energy requirements, respond to storm-related disruptions, and execute our capital expenditure program are dependent on maintaining an efficient supply chain. Manufacturing processes have experienced disruptions related to the scarcity of certain raw materials and interruptions in production and shipping. Inflationary pressures, labor shortages, and the impact of geopolitical events have further exacerbated these disruptions. PSCo continues to monitor the situation as it remains fluid and seeks to mitigate the impacts by securing alternative suppliers, modifying design standards, and adjusting the timing of work.
Additionally, certain products, components, and equipment, particularly in renewables categories, originate in countries that could face tariffs, fines, or restrictions from government or other regulatory bodies and present a cost and supply risk until there is sufficient capacity and supply base with adequate capacity to meet US needs.
Electric Meters and Transformers
Supply chain issues associated with semiconductors delayed the availability of AMI meters, which led to a reduced number of meters deployed in 2022. PSCo saw significant improvement in meter availability in 2023 and we expect normal conditions in 2024 and going forward. PSCo expects to complete AMI meter deployment in 2025.
Additionally, the availability of certain transformers is an industry-wide issue that has significantly impacted and in some cases resulted in delays to projects and new customer connections. Proposed governmental actions related to transformer efficiency standards may compound these delays in the future. PSCo continues to seek alternative suppliers and prioritize work plans to mitigate the impacts of supply constraints.
Solar Resources
In August 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce completed its anti-circumvention investigation. It concluded that CSPV solar panels and cells imported from Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia would be subject to incremental tariffs ranging from 50% to 250%. These countries account for more than 80% of CSPV panel imports.
An interim stay on tariffs remains in effect until June 2024. Many significant solar projects have resumed with modified costs and projected in-service dates, including certain PPAs in PSCo. Further policy action, a change in the interim stay of tariffs, or other restrictions on solar imports (e.g., due to implementation of the Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act) or disruptions in solar imports from key suppliers could impact project timelines and costs.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Derivatives, Risk Management and Market Risk
PSCo is exposed to a variety of market risks in the normal course of business. Market risk is the potential loss that may occur as a result of adverse changes in the market or fair value for a particular instrument or commodity. All financial and commodity-related instruments, including derivatives, are subject to market risk.
PSCo is exposed to the impact of adverse changes in price for energy and energy-related products, which is partially mitigated by the use of commodity derivatives. In addition to ongoing monitoring and maintaining credit policies intended to minimize overall credit risk, management takes steps to mitigate changes in credit and concentration risks associated with its derivatives and other contracts, including parental guarantees and requests of collateral. While PSCo expects that the counterparties will perform on the contracts underlying its derivatives, the contracts expose PSCo to credit and non-performance risk.
Distress in the financial markets may impact counterparty risk and the fair value of the securities in the pension fund.
Commodity Price Risk - We are exposed to commodity price risk in our electric and natural gas operations. Commodity price risk is managed by entering into long and short-term physical purchase and sales contracts for electric capacity, energy and energy-related products and fuels used in generation and distribution activities.
Commodity price risk is also managed through the use of financial derivative instruments. Our risk management policy allows us to manage commodity price risk within each rate-regulated operation per commission approved hedge plans.
Wholesale and Commodity Trading Risk - PSCo conducts various wholesale and commodity trading activities, including the purchase and sale of electric capacity, energy, energy-related instruments and natural gas-related instruments, including derivatives. PSCo’s risk management policy allows management to conduct these activities within guidelines and limitations as approved by its risk management committee.
Fair value of net commodity trading contracts as of Dec. 31, 2023:
Futures / Forwards Maturity
(Millions of Dollars) Less Than
1 Year 1 to 3
Years 4 to 5
Years Greater Than
5 Years Total
Fair Value
PSCo (a)
$ - $ 1 $ 2 $ - $ 3
PSCo (b)
(10) 6 2 - (2)
$ (10) $ 7 $ 4 $ - $ 1
Options Maturity
(Millions of Dollars) Less Than
1 Year 1 to 3
Years 4 to 5
Years Greater Than
5 Years Total
Fair Value
PSCo (b)
$ 4 $ - $ - $ - $ 4
(a)Prices actively quoted or based on actively quoted prices.
(b)Prices based on models and other valuation methods.
Changes in the fair value of commodity trading contracts before the impacts of margin-sharing for the years ended Dec. 31:
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022
Fair value of commodity trading net contracts outstanding at Jan. 1 $ - $ (15)
Contracts realized or settled during the period (12) (8)
Commodity trading contract additions and changes during the period 17 23
Fair value of commodity trading net contracts outstanding at Dec.31 $ 5 $ -
A 10% increase and 10% decrease in forward market prices for PSCo’s commodity trading contracts would have likewise increased and decreased pretax income from continuing operations, by approximately $3 million at Dec. 31, 2023 and $7 million at Dec. 31, 2022. Market price movements can exceed 10% under abnormal circumstances.
Xcel Energy’s commodity trading operations measure the outstanding risk exposure to price changes on contracts and obligations using an industry standard methodology known as VaR. VaR expresses the potential change in fair value of the outstanding contracts and obligations over a particular period of time under normal market conditions.
The VaRs for the NSP-Minnesota and PSCo commodity trading operations, excluding both non-derivative transactions and derivative transactions designated as normal purchases and normal sales, calculated on a consolidated basis using a Monte Carlo simulation with a 95% confidence level and a one-day holding period, were as follows:
(Millions of Dollars) Year Ended
Dec. 31
Average High Low
2023 $ - $ - $ 1 $ -
2022 $ 2 $ 1 $ 5 $ -
Interest Rate Risk - PSCo is subject to interest rate risk. PSCo’s risk management policy allows interest rate risk to be managed through the use of fixed rate debt, floating rate debt and interest rate derivatives.
A 100 basis point change in the benchmark rate on PSCo’s variable rate debt would impact pretax interest expense annually by approximately $4 million and $3 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The value of pension and postretirement plan assets and benefit costs are impacted by changes in discount rates and expected return on plan assets. PSCo’s ongoing pension and postretirement investment strategy is based on plan-specific investment recommendations that seek to optimize potential investment risk and minimize interest rate risk associated with changes in the obligations as a plan’s funded status increases over time. The impacts of fluctuations in interest rates on pension and postretirement costs are mitigated by pension cost calculation methodologies and regulatory mechanisms that minimize the earnings impacts of such changes.
Credit Risk - PSCo is also exposed to credit risk. Credit risk relates to the risk of loss resulting from counterparties’ nonperformance on their contractual obligations. PSCo maintains credit policies intended to minimize overall credit risk and actively monitors these policies to reflect changes and scope of operations.
At Dec. 31, 2023, a 10% increase in commodity prices would have resulted in an increase in credit exposure of $2 million, while a decrease in prices of 10% would have resulted in a decrease in credit exposure of $2 million. At Dec. 31, 2022, a 10% increase in commodity prices would have resulted in an increase in credit exposure of $13 million, while a decrease in prices of 10% would have resulted in a decrease in credit exposure of $6 million.
PSCo conducts credit reviews for all wholesale, trading and non-trading commodity counterparties and employs credit risk controls, such as letters of credit, parental guarantees, master netting agreements and termination provisions. Credit exposure is monitored and, when necessary, the activity with a specific counterparty is limited until credit enhancement is provided. Distress in the financial markets could increase PSCo’s credit risk.
Fair Value Measurements
Derivative contracts, with the exception of those designated as normal purchases and normal sales, are reported at fair value. PSCo’s investments held in pension and other postretirement funds are also subject to fair value accounting. See Notes 8 and 9 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
See Item 15 - 1 for an index of financial statements included herein.
See Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements for further information.
Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of PSCo is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. PSCo’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to Xcel Energy Inc.’s and PSCo’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
PSCo management assessed the effectiveness of PSCo’s internal control over financial reporting as of Dec. 31, 2023. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on our assessment, we believe that, as of Dec. 31, 2023, PSCo’s internal control over financial reporting is effective at the reasonable assurance level based on those criteria.
/s/ ROBERT C. FRENZEL /s/ BRIAN J. VAN ABEL
Robert C. Frenzel Brian J. Van Abel
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director
Feb. 21, 2024 Feb. 21, 2024
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the stockholder and the Board of Directors of Public Service Company of Colorado
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Public Service Company of Colorado and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, common stockholder's equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities - Impact of Rate Regulation on the Financial Statements - Refer to Notes 4 and 10 to the consolidated financial statements.
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company is subject to rate regulation by state utility regulatory agencies, which have jurisdiction with respect to the rates of electric and natural gas distribution companies in Colorado. The Company is also subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for its wholesale electric operations, hydroelectric generation licensing, accounting practices, wholesale sales for resale, transmission of electricity in interstate commerce, compliance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation standards, asset transactions and mergers and natural gas transactions in interstate commerce, (collectively with state utility regulatory agencies, the “Commissions”). Management has determined it meets the requirements under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America to prepare its financial statements applying the specialized rules to account for the effects of cost-based rate regulation. Accounting for the economics of rate regulation affects multiple financial statement line items and disclosures, including property, plant and equipment, regulatory assets and liabilities, operating revenues and expenses, and income taxes.
The Company is subject to regulatory rate setting processes. Rates are determined and approved in regulatory proceedings based on an analysis of the Company’s costs to provide utility service and a return on, and recovery of, the Company’s investment in assets required to deliver services to customers. Accounting for the Company’s regulated operations provides that rate-regulated entities report assets and liabilities consistent with the recovery of those incurred costs in rates, if it is probable that such rates will be charged and collected. The Commissions’ regulation of rates is premised on the full recovery of incurred costs and a reasonable rate of return on invested capital. Decisions by the Commissions in the future will impact the accounting for regulated operations, including decisions about the amount of allowable costs and return on invested capital included in rates and any refunds that may be required. In the rate setting process, the Company’s rates result in the recording of regulatory assets and liabilities based on the probability of future cash flows. Regulatory assets generally represent incurred or accrued costs that have been deferred because future recovery from customers is probable. Regulatory liabilities generally represent amounts that are expected to be refunded to customers in future rates or amounts collected in current rates for future costs.
We identified the impact of rate regulation as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments made by management to support its assertions about impacted account balances and disclosures and the high degree of subjectivity involved in assessing the impact of future regulatory orders on the financial statements. Management judgments include assessing the likelihood of recovery in future rates of incurred costs and refunds due to customers. Given that management’s accounting judgments are based on assumptions about the outcome of future decisions by the Commissions, auditing these judgments required specialized knowledge of accounting for rate regulation and the rate setting process due to its inherent complexities.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the uncertainty of future decisions by the Commissions included the following, among others:
•We tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the evaluation of the likelihood of (1) the recovery in future rates of costs deferred as regulatory assets, and (2) a refund or a future reduction in rates that should be reported as regulatory liabilities. We also tested the effectiveness of management’s controls over the recognition of regulatory assets or liabilities and the monitoring and evaluation of regulatory developments that may affect the likelihood of recovering costs in future rates or of a future reduction in rates.
•We evaluated the Company’s disclosures related to the impacts of rate regulation, including the balances recorded and regulatory developments.
•We read relevant regulatory orders issued by the Commissions for the Company, regulatory filings, legal decisions and recommendations being evaluated by the Commissions, and other publicly available information to assess the likelihood of recovery in future rates or of a future reduction in rates. We evaluated historic orders for precedents of the Commissions’ treatment of similar costs under similar circumstances. We compared the regulatory orders, filings and other publicly available information to the Company’s recorded regulatory assets and liabilities for completeness.
•We obtained management’s analysis and correspondence from counsel, as appropriate, regarding regulatory assets or liabilities not yet addressed in a regulatory order to assess management’s assertion that amounts are probable of recovery or a future reduction in rates.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 21, 2024
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.
PUBLIC SERVICE CO. OF COLORADO AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(amounts in millions)
Year Ended Dec. 31
2023 2022 2021
Operating revenues
Electric $ 3,731 $ 3,795 $ 3,413
Natural gas 1,734 1,860 1,355
Other 54 53 47
Total operating revenues 5,519 5,708 4,815
Operating expenses
Electric fuel and purchased power 1,364 1,485 1,336
Cost of natural gas sold and transported 910 1,053 606
Cost of sales - steam and other 17 18 15
Operating and maintenance expenses 865 905 831
Demand side management expenses 135 133 132
Depreciation and amortization 924 848 744
Taxes (other than income taxes) 287 272 256
Loss on Comanche Unit 3 litigation 35 - -
Workforce reduction expenses 20 - -
Total operating expenses 4,557 4,714 3,920
Operating income 962 994 895
Other income (expense), net 15 (2) 4
Allowance for funds used during construction - equity 39 32 28
Interest charges and financing costs
Interest charges - includes other financing costs of $8, $8 and $8, respectively
312 271 243
Allowance for funds used during construction - debt (20) (11) (9)
Total interest charges and financing costs 292 260 234
Income before income taxes 724 764 693
Income tax expense 29 37 33
Net income $ 695 $ 727 $ 660
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
PUBLIC SERVICE CO. OF COLORADO AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(amounts in millions)
Year Ended Dec. 31
2023 2022 2021
Net income $ 695 $ 727 $ 660
Other comprehensive income
Pension and retiree medical benefits:
Net pension and retiree medical gain (loss) arising during the period, net of tax - (1) -
Reclassification of loss to net income, net of tax 1 - -
Derivative instruments:
Reclassification of loss to net income, net of tax 1 1 2
Total other comprehensive income 2 - 2
Total comprehensive income $ 697 $ 727 $ 662
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
PUBLIC SERVICE CO. OF COLORADO AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(amounts in millions)
Year Ended Dec. 31
2023 2022 2021
Operating activities
Net income $ 695 $ 727 $ 660
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 929 854 754
Deferred income taxes (138) (10) 21
Allowance for equity funds used during construction (39) (32) (28)
Provision for bad debts 34 38 26
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 36 (227) (58)
Accrued unbilled revenues 158 (169) (52)
Inventories (14) (86) (71)
Other current assets 22 12 (23)
Accounts payable (107) 183 66
Net regulatory assets and liabilities 270 82 (526)
Other current liabilities 97 8 30
Pension and other employee benefit obligations 11 (13) (53)
Other, net - (112) (19)
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,954 1,255 727
Investing activities
Utility capital/construction expenditures (2,360) (1,880) (1,604)
Investments in utility money pool arrangement (367) (45) (273)
Repayments from utility money pool arrangement 367 45 273
Net cash used in investing activities (2,360) (1,880) (1,604)
Financing activities
Proceeds from short-term borrowings, net 26 146 11
Borrowings under utility money pool arrangement 781 1,199 743
Repayments under utility money pool arrangement (730) (1,199) (800)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 834 686 737
Repayments of long-term debt (250) (300) -
Capital contributions from parent 400 569 650
Dividends paid to parent (652) (491) (467)
Net cash provided by financing activities 409 610 874
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 3 (15) (3)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 10 25 28
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 13 $ 10 $ 25
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest (net of amounts capitalized) $ (271) $ (250) $ (230)
Cash paid for income taxes, net (126) (79) (14)
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing transactions:
Accrued property, plant and equipment additions $ 248 $ 233 $ 157
Inventory transfers to property, plant and equipment 75 12 10
Operating lease right-of-use assets 18 140 -
Allowance for equity funds used during construction 39 32 28
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
PUBLIC SERVICE CO. OF COLORADO AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(amounts in millions, except share and per share)
Dec. 31
2023 2022
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 13 $ 10
Accounts receivable, net 492 562
Accounts receivable from affiliates 28 11
Accrued unbilled revenues 361 519
Inventories 258 319
Regulatory assets 304 411
Derivative instruments 11 65
Prepayments and other 95 103
Total current assets 1,562 2,000
Property, plant and equipment, net 21,035 19,652
Other assets
Regulatory assets 1,267 1,277
Derivative instruments 15 22
Operating lease right-of-use assets 366 437
Other 383 231
Total other assets 2,031 1,967
Total assets $ 24,628 $ 23,619
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt $ - $ 250
Borrowings under utility money pool arrangement 51 -
Short-term debt 320 294
Accounts payable 704 764
Accounts payable to affiliates 83 75
Regulatory liabilities 70 59
Taxes accrued 261 242
Accrued interest 68 59
Dividends payable to parent 72 120
Derivative instruments 17 30
Operating lease liabilities 102 80
Other 177 115
Total current liabilities 1,925 2,088
Deferred credits and other liabilities
Deferred income taxes 1,894 1,983
Regulatory liabilities 2,562 2,489
Asset retirement obligations 383 476
Derivative instruments - 9
Customer advances 124 144
Pension and employee benefit obligations 40 13
Operating lease liabilities 290 379
Other 218 198
Total deferred credits and other liabilities 5,511 5,691
Commitments and contingencies
Capitalization
Long-term debt 7,450 6,610
Common stock - 100 shares authorized of $0.01 par value; 100 shares outstanding at Dec. 31, 2023 and Dec. 31, 2022, respectively
- -
Additional paid in capital 7,412 6,992
Retained earnings 2,350 2,260
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (20) (22)
Total common stockholder's equity 9,742 9,230
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity $ 24,628 $ 23,619
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
PUBLIC SERVICE CO. OF COLORADO AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
(amounts in millions, except share data)
Common Stock Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Total Common
Stockholder’s
Equity
Shares Par Value Additional
Paid In
Capital
Retained
Earnings
Balance at Dec. 31, 2020 100 $ - $ 5,770 $ 1,846 $ (24) $ 7,592
Net income 660 660
Other comprehensive income 2 2
Common dividends declared to parent (466) (466)
Contribution of capital by parent 656 656
Balance at Dec. 31, 2021 100 $ - $ 6,426 $ 2,040 $ (22) $ 8,444
Net income 727 727
Common dividends declared to parent (507) (507)
Contribution of capital by parent 566 566
Balance at Dec. 31, 2022 100 $ - $ 6,992 $ 2,260 $ (22) $ 9,230
Net income 695 695
Other comprehensive income 2 2
Common dividends declared to parent (605) (605)
Contribution of capital by parent 420 420
Balance at Dec. 31, 2023 100 $ - $ 7,412 $ 2,350 $ (20) $ 9,742
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY of COLORADO
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
General - PSCo is engaged in the regulated generation, purchase, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity and the regulated purchase, transportation, distribution and sale of natural gas.
PSCo’s consolidated financial statements include its wholly-owned subsidiaries. In the consolidation process, all intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated. PSCo has investments in several plants and transmission facilities jointly owned with nonaffiliated utilities.
PSCo’s proportionate share of jointly owned facilities is recorded as property, plant and equipment on the consolidated balance sheets, and PSCo’s proportionate share of operating costs associated with these facilities is included in its consolidated statements of income.
PSCo’s consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with GAAP. All of PSCo’s underlying accounting records also conform to the FERC uniform system of accounts or to systems required by its state regulatory commission. Certain amounts in the consolidated financial statements or notes have been reclassified for comparative purposes; however, such reclassifications did not affect net income, total assets, liabilities, equity or cash flows.
PSCo has evaluated events occurring after Dec. 31, 2023 up to the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements. These statements contain all necessary adjustments and disclosures resulting from that evaluation.
Use of Estimates - PSCo uses estimates based on the best information available to record transactions and balances resulting from business operations.
Estimates are used for items such as plant depreciable lives or potential disallowances, AROs, certain regulatory assets and liabilities, tax provisions, uncollectible amounts, environmental costs, unbilled revenues, jurisdictional fuel and energy cost allocations and actuarially determined benefit costs. Recorded estimates are revised when better information becomes available or actual amounts can be determined. Revisions can affect operating results.
Regulatory Accounting - PSCo accounts for income and expense items in accordance with accounting guidance for regulated operations. Under this guidance:
•Certain costs, which would otherwise be charged to expense or other comprehensive income, are deferred as regulatory assets based on the expected ability to recover the costs in future rates.
•Certain credits, which would otherwise be reflected as income or other comprehensive income, are deferred as regulatory liabilities based on the expectation the amounts will be returned to customers in future rates, or because the amounts were collected in rates prior to the costs being incurred.
Estimates and assumptions for recovery of deferred costs and refund of deferred credits are based on specific ratemaking decisions, precedent or other available information. Regulatory assets and liabilities are amortized consistent with the treatment in the rate setting process.
If changes in the regulatory environment occur, PSCo may no longer be eligible to apply this accounting treatment and may be required to eliminate regulatory assets and liabilities. Such changes could have a material effect on PSCo’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
See Note 4 for further information.
Income Taxes - PSCo accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements. Income taxes are deferred for all temporary differences between pretax financial and taxable income and between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities utilizing rates that are scheduled to be in effect when the temporary differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date.
Utility rate regulation has resulted in the recognition of regulatory assets and liabilities related to income taxes. The effects of PSCo’s tax rate changes are generally subject to a normalization method of accounting. Therefore, the revaluation of most of its net deferred taxes upon a tax rate reduction results in the establishment of a net regulatory liability, refundable to utility customers over the remaining life of the related assets. PSCo anticipates that a tax rate increase would predominantly result in the establishment of a regulatory asset, subject to an evaluation of whether future recovery is expected.
Tax credits are recorded when earned unless there is a requirement to defer the benefit and amortize over the book depreciable lives of related property. The requirement to defer and amortize these credits specifically applies to certain federal ITCs, as determined by tax regulations and PSCo tax elections. For tax credits otherwise eligible to be recognized when earned, PSCo considers the impact of rate regulation to determine if these credits and related adjustments should be deferred as regulatory assets or liabilities.
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. This evaluation includes consideration of whether tax credits are expected to be sold at a discount and impact the realization of amounts presented as deferred tax assets. Transferable tax credits are accounted for under ASC 740 Income Taxes, and valuation allowances and any adjustments for discounts incurred on sales transactions are recorded to deferred tax expense, typically recovered in regulatory mechanisms.
PSCo measures and discloses uncertain tax positions that it has taken or expects to take in its income tax returns. A tax position is recognized in the consolidated financial statements when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. Recognition of changes in uncertain tax positions are reflected as a component of income tax expense.
Interest and penalties related to income taxes are reported within Other income (expense), net or interest charges in the consolidated statements of income.
Xcel Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries, including PSCo file consolidated federal income tax returns as well as consolidated or separate state income tax returns. Federal income taxes paid by Xcel Energy Inc. are allocated to its subsidiaries based on separate company computations. A similar allocation is made for state income taxes paid by Xcel Energy Inc. in connection with consolidated state filings. Xcel Energy Inc. also allocates its own income tax benefits to its direct subsidiaries.
See Note 7 for further information.
Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation in Regulated Operations - Property, plant and equipment is stated at original cost. The cost of plant includes direct labor and materials, contracted work, overhead costs and AFUDC. The cost of plant retired is charged to accumulated depreciation and amortization. Amounts recovered in rates for future removal costs are recorded as regulatory liabilities. Significant additions or improvements extending asset lives are capitalized, while repairs and maintenance costs and replacement of items determined to be less than a unit of property are charged to expense as incurred.
Property, plant and equipment is tested for impairment when it is determined that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. A loss is recognized in the current period if it becomes probable that part of a cost of a plant under construction or recently completed plant will be disallowed for recovery from customers and a reasonable estimate of the disallowance can be made. For investments in property, plant and equipment that are abandoned and not expected to go into service, incurred costs and related deferred tax amounts are compared to the discounted estimated future rate recovery, and a loss is recognized, if necessary.
Depreciation expense is recorded using the straight-line method over the plant’s commission approved useful life. Actuarial life studies are performed and submitted to the state and federal commissions for review. Upon acceptance by the various commissions, the resulting lives and net salvage rates are used to calculate depreciation. Plant removal costs are typically recognized at the amounts recovered in rates as authorized by the applicable regulator. Accumulated removal costs are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as a regulatory liability. Depreciation expense, expressed as a percentage of average depreciable property, was approximately 3.6% in 2023, 3.4% in 2022 and 3.2% in 2021.
See Note 3 for further information.
AROs - PSCo records AROs as a liability in the period incurred (if fair value can be reasonably estimated), with the offsetting/associated costs capitalized as a long-lived asset. The liability is generally increased over time by applying the effective interest method of accretion and the capitalized costs are typically depreciated over the useful life of the long-lived asset. Changes resulting from revisions to timing or amounts of expected asset retirement cash flows are recognized as an increase or a decrease in the ARO.
See Note 10 for further information.
Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits - PSCo maintains pension and postretirement benefit plans for eligible employees. Recognizing the cost of providing benefits and measuring the projected benefit obligation of these plans requires management to make various assumptions and estimates.
Certain unrecognized actuarial gains and losses and unrecognized prior service costs or credits are deferred as regulatory assets and liabilities, rather than recorded as other comprehensive income, based on regulatory recovery mechanisms.
See Note 9 for further information.
Environmental Costs - Environmental costs are recorded when it is probable PSCo is liable for remediation costs and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Costs are deferred as a regulatory asset if it is probable that the costs will be recovered from customers in future rates. Otherwise, the costs are expensed. For certain environmental costs related to facilities currently in use, such as for emission-control equipment, the cost is capitalized and depreciated over the life of the plant.
Estimated remediation costs are regularly adjusted as estimates are revised and remediation is performed. If other participating potentially responsible parties exist and acknowledge their potential involvement with a site, costs are estimated and recorded only for PSCo’s expected share of the cost.
Estimated future expenditures to restore sites are treated as a capitalized cost of plant retirement. The depreciation expense levels recoverable in rates include a provision for removal expenses. Removal costs recovered in rates before the related costs are incurred are classified as a regulatory liability.
See Note 10 for further information.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Performance obligations related to the sale of energy are satisfied as energy is delivered to customers. PSCo recognizes revenue that corresponds to the price of the energy delivered to the customer. The measurement of energy sales to customers is generally based on the reading of their meters, which occurs systematically throughout the month. At the end of each month, amounts of energy delivered to customers since the date of the last meter reading are estimated, and the corresponding unbilled revenue is recognized.
A separate financing component of collections from customers is not recognized as contract terms are short-term in nature. Revenues are net of any excise or sales taxes or fees.
PSCo recognizes physical sales to customers (native load and wholesale) on a gross basis in electric revenues and cost of sales. PSCo participates in SPP WEIS. Revenues for short-term physical wholesale sales of excess energy transacted through the imbalance market are recorded on a gross basis. Other revenues and charges settled/facilitated through SPP WEIS are recorded on a net basis in cost of sales.
See Note 6 for further information.
Cash and Cash Equivalents - PSCo considers investments in instruments with a remaining maturity of 3 months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Bad Debts - Accounts receivable are stated at the actual billed amount net of an allowance for bad debts. PSCo establishes an allowance for uncollectible receivables based on a policy that reflects its expected exposure to the credit risk of customers.
As of Dec. 31, 2023 and 2022, the allowance for bad debts was $56 million and $54 million, respectively.
Inventory - Inventory is recorded at the lower of average cost or net realizable value and consisted of the following:
(Millions of Dollars) Dec. 31, 2023 Dec. 31, 2022
Inventories
Materials and supplies $ 91 $ 80
Fuel 83 68
Natural gas 84 171
Total inventories $ 258 $ 319
Fair Value Measurements - PSCo presents cash equivalents, interest rate derivatives and commodity derivatives at estimated fair values in its consolidated financial statements.
For interest rate derivatives, quoted prices based primarily on observable market interest rate curves are used to estimate fair value. For commodity derivatives, the most observable inputs available are generally used to determine the fair value of each contract. In the absence of a quoted price, quoted prices for similar contracts or internally prepared valuation models may be used to determine fair value.
For the pension and postretirement plan assets and nuclear decommissioning fund, published trading data and pricing models, generally using the most observable inputs available, are utilized to determine fair value for each security.
See Notes 8 and 9 for further information.
Derivative Instruments - PSCo uses derivative instruments in connection with its commodity trading activities, and to manage risk associated with changes in interest rates and utility commodity prices, including forward contracts, futures, swaps and options. Derivatives not qualifying for the normal purchases and normal sales exception are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value as derivative instruments. Classification of changes in fair value for those derivative instruments is dependent on the designation of a qualifying hedging relationship.
Changes in fair value of derivative instruments not designated in a qualifying hedging relationship are reflected in current earnings or as a regulatory asset or liability. Classification as a regulatory asset or liability is based on commission approved regulatory recovery mechanisms.
Gains or losses on commodity trading transactions are recorded as a component of electric operating revenues.
Normal Purchases and Normal Sales - PSCo enters into contracts for purchases and sales of commodities for use in its operations. At inception, contracts are evaluated to determine whether they contain a derivative, and if so, whether they may be exempted from derivative accounting if designated as normal purchases or normal sales.
See Note 8 for further information.
Commodity Trading Operations - All applicable gains and losses related to commodity trading activities are shown on a net basis in electric operating revenues in the consolidated statements of income.
Commodity trading activities are not associated with energy produced from PSCo’s generation assets or energy and capacity purchased to serve native load. Commodity trading contracts are recorded at fair market value and commodity trading results include the impact of all margin-sharing mechanisms.
See Note 8 for further information
Other Utility Items
AFUDC - AFUDC represents the cost of capital used to finance utility construction activity and is computed by applying a composite financing rate to qualified CWIP. The amount of AFUDC capitalized as a utility construction cost is credited to other nonoperating income (for equity capital) and interest charges (for debt capital). AFUDC amounts capitalized are included in PSCo’s rate base.
Alternative Revenue - Certain rate rider mechanisms (including decoupling and DSM programs) qualify as alternative revenue programs. These mechanisms arise from instances in which the regulator authorizes a future surcharge in response to past activities or completed events. When certain criteria are met, including expected collection within 24 months, revenue is recognized, which may include incentives and return on rate base items.
Billing amounts are revised periodically for differences between total amount collected and revenue earned, which may increase or decrease the level of revenue collected from customers. Alternative revenues arising from these programs are presented on a gross basis and disclosed separately from revenue from contracts with customers.
See Note 6 for further information.
Conservation Programs - PSCo has implemented programs to assist its retail customers in conserving energy and reducing peak demand on the electric and natural gas systems. These programs include approximately 20 unique DSM products, pilots and services for C&I customers, as well as approximately 23 DSM products, pilots and services for residential and low-income customers. Overall, the DSM portfolio provides rebates and/or incentives for nearly 1,000 unique measures.
The costs incurred for DSM programs are deferred if it is probable future revenue will be provided to permit recovery of the incurred cost. Revenues recognized for incentive programs designed for recovery of DSM program costs and/or conservation performance incentives are limited to amounts expected to be collected within 24 months from the year in which they are earned.
PSCo’s DSM program costs are recovered through a combination of base rate revenue and rider mechanisms. Regulatory assets are recognized to reflect the amount of costs or earned incentives that have not yet been collected from customers.
Emissions Allowances - Emissions allowances are recorded at cost, including broker commission fees. The inventory accounting model is utilized for all emissions allowances and any sales of these allowances are included in electric revenues.
RECs - Cost of RECs that are utilized for compliance is recorded as electric fuel and purchased power expense. An inventory accounting model is used to account for RECs.
Sales of RECs are recorded in electric revenues on a gross basis. Cost of these RECs and amounts credited to customers under margin-sharing mechanisms are recorded in electric fuel and purchased power expense.
2. Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Issued
Segment Reporting - In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 - Segment Reporting (Topic 280) - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which extends the existing requirements for annual disclosures to quarterly periods, and requires that both annual and quarterly disclosures present segment expenses using line items consistent with information regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2023 and quarterly periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2024, and PSCo does not expect implementation of the new disclosure guidance to have a material impact to its consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes - In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 - Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, with new disclosure requirements including presentation of prescribed line items in the effective tax rate reconciliation and disclosures regarding state and local tax payments. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2024, and PSCo does not expect implementation of the new disclosure guidance to have a material impact to its consolidated financial statements.
3. Property, Plant and Equipment
Major classes of property, plant and equipment
(Millions of Dollars) Dec. 31, 2023 Dec. 31, 2022
Property, plant and equipment, net
Electric plant $ 16,698 $ 15,771
Natural gas plant 6,321 5,949
Common and other property 1,472 1,415
Plant to be retired (a)
1,203 1,305
CWIP 1,310 877
Total property, plant and equipment 27,004 25,317
Less accumulated depreciation (5,969) (5,665)
Property, plant and equipment, net $ 21,035 $ 19,652
(a)Amounts include Comanche Units 2 and 3, Craig Units 1 and 2, Hayden Units 1 and 2 and coal generation assets at Pawnee pending facility gas conversion. Amounts are presented net of accumulated depreciation.
Joint Ownership of Generation, Transmission and Gas Facilities
Jointly owned assets as of Dec. 31, 2023:
(Millions of Dollars, Except Percent Owned) Plant in Service Accumulated Depreciation Percent Owned
Electric generation:
Hayden Unit 1 $ 157 $ 108 76 %
Hayden Unit 2 151 87 37
Hayden common facilities 44 31 53
Craig Units 1 and 2 82 55 10
Craig common facilities 39 25 7
Comanche Unit 3 916 191 67
Comanche common facilities 29 4 77
Electric transmission:
Transmission and other facilities 189 75 Various
Gas transmission:
Rifle, CO to Avon, CO 28 9 60
Gas transmission compressor 8 2 50
Total (a)
$ 1,643 $ 587
(a)Projects additionally include $18 million in CWIP.
PSCo’s share of operating expenses and construction expenditures is included in the applicable utility accounts. Respective owners are responsible for providing their own financing.
4. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
Regulatory assets and liabilities are created for amounts that regulators may allow to be collected or may require to be paid back to customers in future electric and natural gas rates. PSCo would be required to recognize the write-off of regulatory assets and liabilities in net income or other comprehensive income if changes in the utility industry no longer allow for the application of regulatory accounting guidance under GAAP.
Components of regulatory assets:
(Millions of Dollars) See Note(s) Remaining Amortization Period Dec. 31, 2023 Dec. 31, 2022
Regulatory Assets Current Noncurrent Current Noncurrent
Pension and retiree medical obligations 9 Various $ 2 $ 396 $ 3 $ 367
Net AROs (a)
1, 10 Various - 236 - 212
Depreciation differences One to 10 years
16 184 16 187
Recoverable deferred taxes on AFUDC
Plant lives - 135 - 119
Excess deferred taxes - TCJA
7 Various - 55 2 54
Environmental remediation costs Various - 44 6 26
Conservation programs (b)
1 One to two years
12 33 8 16
Revenue decoupling Various - 31 - -
Gas pipeline inspection costs One to two years
3 25 - 13
Deferred natural gas, electric, steam energy/fuel costs One to three years
221 22 312 200
Purchased power contract costs Term of related contract 4 20 3 16
Grid modernization costs Two years
15 14 14 22
Property tax Various 3 7 8 2
Other Various 28 65 39 43
Total regulatory assets $ 304 $ 1,267 $ 411 $ 1,277
(a)Includes amounts recorded for future recovery of AROs.
(b)Includes costs for conservation programs, as well as incentives allowed in certain jurisdictions.
Components of regulatory liabilities:
(Millions of Dollars) See Note(s) Remaining Amortization Period Dec. 31, 2023 Dec. 31, 2022
Regulatory Liabilities Current Noncurrent Current Noncurrent
Deferred income tax adjustments and TCJA refunds (a)
7 Various $ 2 $ 1,260 $ 2 $ 1,298
Plant removal costs 1, 10 Various - 769 - 705
Effects of regulation on employee benefit costs (b)
Various - 234 - 227
Renewable resources and environmental initiatives Various - 152 - 141
Revenue decoupling Various - 63 - 55
ITC deferrals
1 Various 1 44 1 41
Deferred natural gas, electric, steam energy/fuel costs Less than one year
34 - 3 -
Conservation programs 1 Less than one year
9 - 19 -
Formula rates One to two years
8 - 16 -
Other Various 16 40 18 22
Total regulatory liabilities $ 70 $ 2,562 $ 59 $ 2,489
(a)Includes the revaluation of recoverable/regulated plant accumulated deferred income taxes and revaluation impact of non-plant accumulated deferred income taxes due to the TCJA.
(b)Includes regulatory amortization and certain 2018 TCJA benefits approved by the CPUC to offset the prepaid pension asset.
PSCo’s regulatory assets not earning a return include past expenditures of $416 million and $538 million at Dec. 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, which predominately relate to purchased natural gas and electric energy costs (including certain costs related to Winter Storm Uri), sales true-up and revenue decoupling and various renewable resources/environmental initiatives. Additionally, the unfunded portion of pension and retiree medical obligations and net AROs (i.e. deferrals for which cash has not been disbursed) do not earn a return.
5. Borrowings and Other Financing Instruments
Short-Term Borrowings
PSCo meets its short-term liquidity requirements primarily through the issuance of commercial paper and borrowings under its credit facility and the money pool.
Money Pool - Xcel Energy Inc. and its utility subsidiaries have established a money pool arrangement that allows for short-term investments in and borrowings between the utility subsidiaries. Xcel Energy Inc. may make investments in the utility subsidiaries at market-based interest rates; however, the money pool arrangement does not allow the utility subsidiaries to make investments in Xcel Energy Inc.
Money pool borrowings:
(Millions of Dollars, Except Interest Rates) Three Months Ended Dec. 31, 2023 Year Ended Dec. 31
2023 2022 2021
Borrowing limit $ 250 $ 250 $ 250 $ 250
Amount outstanding at period end 51 51 - -
Average amount outstanding 64 23 29 12
Maximum amount outstanding 250 250 250 243
Weighted average interest rate, computed on a daily basis 5.33 % 5.31 % 1.66 % 0.07 %
Weighted average interest rate at end of period 5.34 5.34 N/A N/A
Commercial Paper - Commercial paper borrowings:
(Millions of Dollars, Except Interest Rates) Three Months Ended Dec. 31, 2023 Year Ended Dec. 31
2023 2022 2021
Borrowing limit $ 700 $ 700 $ 700 $ 700
Amount outstanding at period end 320 320 294 147
Average amount outstanding 189 124 71 26
Maximum amount outstanding 369 454 328 322
Weighted average interest rate, computed on a daily basis 5.53 % 5.17 % 2.56 % 0.19 %
Weighted average interest rate at end of period 5.56 5.56 4.73 0.22
Letters of Credit - PSCo uses letters of credit, typically with terms of one year, to provide financial guarantees for certain operating obligations. At Dec. 31, 2023 and 2022, there were $29 million and $27 million of letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility, respectively. The contract amounts of these letters of credit approximate their fair value and are subject to fees.
Credit Facility - In order to use its commercial paper program to fulfill short-term funding needs, PSCo must have a revolving credit facility in place at least equal to the amount of its commercial paper borrowing limit and cannot issue commercial paper in an aggregate amount exceeding available capacity under this credit facility. The credit facility provides short-term financing in the form of notes payable to banks, letters of credit and back-up support for commercial paper borrowings.
Features of PSCo’s credit facility:
Debt-to-Total Capitalization Ratio (a)
Amount Facility May Be Increased (millions of dollars) Additional Periods for Which a One-Year Extension May Be Requested (b)
2023 2022
44.8 % 44.0 % $ 100 2
(a)The credit facility has a financial covenant requiring that the debt-to-total capitalization ratio be less than or equal to 65%.
(b)All extension requests are subject to majority bank group approval.
The credit facility has a cross-default provision that provides PSCo would be in default on its borrowings under the facility if PSCo or any of its subsidiaries whose total assets exceed 15% of PSCo’s consolidated total assets, default on indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $75 million.
If PSCo does not comply with the covenant, an event of default may be declared, and if not remedied, any outstanding amounts due under the facility can be declared due by the lender. As of Dec. 31, 2023, PSCo was in compliance with all financial covenants.
PSCo had the following committed credit facility available as of Dec. 31, 2023 (in millions of dollars):
Credit Facility (a)
Drawn (b)
Available
$ 700 $ 349 $ 351
(a)This credit facility matures in September 2027.
(b)Includes letters of credit and outstanding commercial paper.
All credit facility bank borrowings, outstanding letters of credit and outstanding commercial paper reduce the available capacity under the credit facility. PSCo had no direct advances on the facility outstanding at Dec. 31, 2023 and 2022.
Long-Term Borrowings and Other Financing Instruments
Generally, the property of PSCo is subject to the lien of its first mortgage indenture for the benefit of bondholders. Debt premiums, discounts and expenses are amortized over the life of the related debt. The premiums, discounts and expenses for refinanced debt are deferred and amortized over the life of the new issuance.
Long-term debt obligations for PSCo as of Dec. 31 (in millions of dollars):
Financing Instrument Interest Rate Maturity Date 2023 2022
First mortgage bonds 2.50 % March 15, 2023 $ - $ 250
First mortgage bonds 2.90 May 15, 2025 250 250
First mortgage bonds 3.70 June 15, 2028 350 350
First mortgage bonds 1.90 Jan. 15, 2031 375 375
First mortgage bonds 1.875 June 15, 2031 750 750
First mortgage bonds (a)
4.10 June 1, 2032 300 300
First mortgage bonds 6.25 Sept. 1, 2037 350 350
First mortgage bonds 6.50 Aug. 1, 2038 300 300
First mortgage bonds 4.75 Aug. 15, 2041 250 250
First mortgage bonds 3.60 Sept. 15, 2042 500 500
First mortgage bonds 3.95 March 15, 2043 250 250
First mortgage bonds 4.30 March 15, 2044 300 300
First mortgage bonds 3.55 June 15, 2046 250 250
First mortgage bonds 3.80 June 15, 2047 400 400
First mortgage bonds 4.10 June 15, 2048 350 350
First mortgage bonds 4.05 Sept. 15, 2049 400 400
First mortgage bonds 3.20 March 1, 2050 550 550
First mortgage bonds 2.70 Jan. 15, 2051 375 375
First mortgage bonds (a)
4.50 June 1, 2052 400 400
First mortgage bonds (b)
5.25 April 1, 2053 850 -
Unamortized discount (41) (37)
Unamortized debt issuance cost (59) (53)
Current maturities - (250)
Total long-term debt $ 7,450 $ 6,610
(a)2022 financing.
(b)2023 financing.
Maturities of long-term debt:
(Millions of Dollars)
2024 $ -
2025 250
2026 -
2027 -
2028 350
Deferred Financing Costs - Deferred financing costs of approximately $59 million and $53 million, net of amortization, are presented as a deduction from the carrying amount of long-term debt as of Dec. 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Capital Stock - PSCo has authorized the issuance of preferred stock.
Preferred Stock Authorized (Shares) Par Value of Preferred Stock Preferred Stock Outstanding (Shares) 2023 and 2022
10,000,000 $ 0.01 -
Dividend Restrictions - PSCo’s dividends are subject to the FERC’s jurisdiction, which prohibits the payment of dividends out of capital accounts. Dividends are solely to be paid from retained earnings.
6. Revenues
Revenue is classified by the type of goods/services rendered and market/customer type. PSCo’s operating revenues consisted of the following:
Year Ended Dec. 31, 2023
(Millions of Dollars) Electric Natural Gas All Other Total
Major revenue types
Revenue from contracts with customers:
Residential $ 1,295 $ 1,109 $ 19 $ 2,423
C&I 1,816 459 30 2,305
Other 52 - 5 57
Total retail 3,163 1,568 54 4,785
Wholesale 237 - - 237
Transmission 90 - - 90
Other 61 132 - 193
Total revenue from contracts with customers 3,551 1,700 54 5,305
Alternative revenue and other 180 34 - 214
Total revenues $ 3,731 $ 1,734 $ 54 $ 5,519
Year Ended Dec. 31, 2022
(Millions of Dollars) Electric Natural Gas All Other Total
Major revenue types
Revenue from contracts with customers:
Residential $ 1,341 $ 1,203 $ 15 $ 2,559
C&I 1,843 479 32 2,354
Other 52 - - 52
Total retail 3,236 1,682 47 4,965
Wholesale 286 - - 286
Transmission 88 - - 88
Other 53 151 - 204
Total revenue from contracts with customers 3,663 1,833 47 5,543
Alternative revenue and other 132 27 6 165
Total revenues $ 3,795 $ 1,860 $ 53 $ 5,708
Year Ended Dec. 31, 2021
(Millions of Dollars) Electric Natural Gas All Other Total
Major revenue types
Revenue from contracts with customers:
Residential $ 1,174 $ 816 $ 12 $ 2,002
C&I 1,660 308 30 1,998
Other 49 - - 49
Total retail 2,883 1,124 42 4,049
Wholesale 228 - - 228
Transmission 75 - - 75
Other 44 159 - 203
Total revenue from contracts with customers 3,230 1,283 42 4,555
Alternative revenue and other 183 72 5 260
Total revenues $ 3,413 $ 1,355 $ 47 $ 4,815
7. Income Taxes
Total income tax expense from operations differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income tax expense.
Effective income tax rate for years ended Dec. 31:
2023 2022 2021
Federal statutory rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 %
State income tax on pretax income, net of federal tax effect 3.5 3.5 3.6
Increases (decreases) in tax from:
Wind PTCs (a)
(14.5) (14.3) (14.3)
Plant regulatory differences (b)
(5.5) (4.5) (4.6)
Other tax credits, net NOL & tax credit allowances (1.1) (1.1) (1.0)
Other, net 0.6 0.2 0.1
Effective income tax rate 4.0 % 4.8 % 4.8 %
(a)Wind PTCs net of estimated transfer discount are credited to customers (reduction to revenue) and do not materially impact net income.
(b)Plant regulatory differences primarily relate to the credit of excess deferred taxes to customers through the average rate assumption method. Income tax benefits associated with the credit are offset by corresponding revenue reductions.
Components of income tax expense for the years ended Dec. 31:
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022 2021
Current federal tax expense $ 182 $ 39 $ 16
Current state tax expense 28 11 -
Current change in unrecognized tax benefit - - (1)
Deferred federal tax benefit (181) (32) (13)
Deferred state tax expense 2 21 31
Deferred change in unrecognized tax expense 1 1 3
Deferred ITCs (3) (3) (3)
Total income tax expense $ 29 $ 37 $ 33
Components of deferred income tax expense as of Dec. 31:
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022 2021
Deferred tax (benefit) expense excluding items below $ (89) $ 23 $ 63
Amortization and adjustments to deferred income taxes on income tax regulatory assets and liabilities (48) (32) (42)
Adjustments to deferred income taxes for wind production tax credit cash transfers (a)
(40) - -
Tax expense allocated to other comprehensive income and other (1) (1) -
Deferred tax (benefit) expense $ (178) $ (10) $ 21
(a)Proceeds from tax credit transfers are included in cash received (paid) for income taxes in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
Components of the net deferred tax liability as of Dec. 31:
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022 (a)
Deferred tax liabilities:
Differences between book and tax bases of property $ 2,326 $ 2,315
Regulatory assets 289 243
Operating lease assets 95 112
Deferred fuel costs 51 125
Pension expense and other employee benefits 22 27
Other 8 11
Total deferred tax liabilities $ 2,791 $ 2,833
Deferred tax assets:
Tax credit carryforward $ 457 $ 385
Regulatory liabilities 291 292
Operating lease liabilities 95 112
Bad debts 14 14
Deferred ITCs 10 7
Tax credit carryforward valuation allowances (6) (6)
Rate refund 4 21
NOL carryforward - 9
Other 32 16
Total deferred tax assets $ 897 $ 850
Net deferred tax liability $ 1,894 $ 1,983
(a)Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
Other Income Tax Matters - NOL amounts represent the tax loss that is carried forward and tax credits represent the deferred tax asset.
NOL and tax credit carryforwards as of Dec. 31 were as follows:
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022
Federal NOL carryforward $ - $ 5
Federal tax credit carryforwards 444 368
Valuation allowances for federal credit carryforwards (3) -
State NOL carryforwards - 223
State tax credit carryforwards, net of federal detriment (a)
13 16
Valuation allowances for state credit carryforwards, net of federal benefit (b)
(3) (6)
(a)State tax credit carryforwards are net of federal detriment of $3 million and $4 million as of Dec. 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
(b)Valuation allowances for state tax credit carryforwards were net of federal benefit of $1 million and $2 million as of Dec. 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Federal carryforward periods expire between 2038 and 2043 and state carryforward periods expire between 2024 and 2036.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Federal Audit - PSCo is a member of the Xcel Energy affiliated group that files a consolidated federal income tax return. The statute of limitations applicable to Xcel Energy’s consolidated federal tax returns expire as follows:
Tax Year(s) Expiration
2014 - 2016 March 2025
2020 September 2024
Additionally, the statute of limitations related to certain federal tax credit carryforwards will remain open until those credits are utilized in subsequent returns. Further, the statute of limitations related to the additional federal tax loss carryback claim filed in 2020 has been extended. As of Dec. 31, 2023 the IRS issued its Revenue Agent’s Report related to the federal tax loss carryback claim. The Company materially agrees with the report and re-recognized the related benefit in Dec. 2023.
State Audits - PSCo is a member of the Xcel Energy affiliated group that files consolidated state income tax returns. As of Dec. 31, 2023, PSCo’s earliest open tax years that are subject to examination by state taxing authorities under applicable statutes of limitations are as follows:
State Tax Year(s) Expiration
Colorado 2014-2016 March 2026
Colorado 2019 October 2024
There are currently no state income tax audits in progress.
Unrecognized tax benefit balance includes permanent tax positions, which if recognized would affect the ETR. In addition, the unrecognized tax benefit balance includes temporary tax positions for which deductibility is highly certain, but for which there is uncertainty about the timing. A change in the timing of deductibility would not affect the ETR but would accelerate the payment to the taxing authority.
Unrecognized tax benefits - permanent vs temporary:
(Millions of Dollars) Dec. 31, 2023 Dec. 31, 2022
Unrecognized tax benefit - Permanent tax positions $ 12 $ 11
Unrecognized tax benefit - Temporary tax positions - 2
Total unrecognized tax benefit $ 12 $ 13
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits:
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022 2021
Balance at Jan. 1 $ 13 $ 11 $ 9
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 2 2 2
Reductions for tax positions of prior years (3) - -
Balance at Dec. 31 $ 12 $ 13 $ 11
Unrecognized tax benefits were reduced by tax benefits associated with NOL and tax credit carryforwards:
(Millions of Dollars) Dec. 31, 2023 Dec. 31, 2022
NOL and tax credit carryforwards $ (11) $ (12)
As IRS and state audits resume, it is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefit could decrease up to approximately $4 million in the next 12 months.
Payable for interest related to unrecognized tax benefits is partially offset by the interest benefit associated with NOL and tax credit carryforwards. Payables for interest related to unrecognized tax benefits at Dec. 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were not material. No amounts were accrued for penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as of Dec. 31, 2023, 2022 or 2021.
8. Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities
Fair Value Measurements
Accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures provides a hierarchical framework for disclosing the observability of the inputs utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value.
•Level 1 - Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 1 are actively traded instruments with observable actual trading prices.
•Level 2 - Pricing inputs are other than actual trading prices in active markets but are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 2 are typically either comparable to actively traded securities or contracts or priced with models using highly observable inputs.
•Level 3 - Significant inputs to pricing have little or no observability as of the reporting date. The types of assets and liabilities included in Level 3 include those valued with models requiring significant judgment or estimation.
Specific valuation methods include:
Interest rate derivatives - Fair values of interest rate derivatives are based on broker quotes that utilize current market interest rate forecasts.
Commodity derivatives - Methods used to measure the fair value of commodity derivative forwards and options utilize forward prices and volatilities, as well as pricing adjustments for specific delivery locations, and are generally assigned a Level 2 classification. When contracts relate to inactive delivery locations or extend to periods beyond those readily observable on active exchanges, the significance of the use of less observable inputs on a valuation is evaluated and may result in Level 3 classification.
Derivative Activities and Fair Value Measurements
PSCo enters into derivative instruments, including forward contracts, futures, swaps and options, for trading purposes and to manage risk in connection with changes in interest rates and utility commodity prices.
Interest Rate Derivatives - PSCo enters into contracts that effectively fix the interest rate on a specified principal amount of a hypothetical future debt issuance. These financial swaps net settle based on changes in a specified benchmark interest rate, acting as a hedge of changes in market interest rates that will impact specified anticipated debt issuances. These derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes, with changes in fair value prior to occurrence of the hedged transactions recorded as other comprehensive income.
As of Dec. 31, 2023, accumulated other comprehensive loss related to interest rate derivatives included $1 million of net losses expected to be reclassified into earnings during the next 12 months as the hedged transactions impact earnings. As of Dec. 31, 2023, PSCo had no unsettled interest rate derivatives.
Wholesale and Commodity Trading - PSCo conducts various wholesale and commodity trading activities, including the purchase and sale of electric capacity, energy, energy-related instruments and natural gas-related instruments, including derivatives. PSCo is allowed to conduct these activities within guidelines and limitations as approved by its risk management committee, comprised of management personnel not directly involved in the activities governed by this policy.
Derivative instruments entered into for trading purposes are presented in the consolidated statements of income as electric revenues, net of any sharing with customers. These activities are not intended to mitigate commodity price risk associated with regulated electric and natural gas operations. Sharing of these margins is determined through state regulatory proceedings as well as the operation of the FERC-approved joint operating agreement.
Commodity Derivatives - PSCo enters into derivative instruments to manage variability of future cash flows from changes in commodity prices in its electric and natural gas operations. This could include the purchase or sale of energy or energy-related products, natural gas to generate electric energy, natural gas for resale, and vehicle fuel.
When PSCo enters into derivative instruments that mitigate commodity price risk on behalf of electric and natural gas customers, the instruments are not typically designated as qualifying hedging transactions. The classification of unrealized losses or gains on these instruments as a regulatory asset or liability, if applicable, is based on approved regulatory recovery mechanisms.
As of Dec. 31, 2023, PSCo had no commodity contracts designated as cash flow hedges.
Gross notional amounts of commodity forwards and options:
(Amounts in Millions) (a)(b)
Dec. 31, 2023 Dec. 31, 2022
MWh of electricity 2 8
MMBtu of natural gas 20 43
(a)Not reflective of net positions in the underlying commodities.
(b)Notional amounts for options included on a gross basis, but weighted for the probability of exercise.
Consideration of Credit Risk and Concentrations - PSCo continuously monitors the creditworthiness of counterparties to its interest rate derivatives and commodity derivative contracts prior to settlement and assesses each counterparty’s ability to perform on the transactions set forth in the contracts. Impact of credit risk was immaterial to the fair value of unsettled commodity derivatives presented on the consolidated balance sheets.
PSCo’s most significant concentrations of credit risk with particular entities or industries are contracts with counterparties to its wholesale, trading and non-trading commodity activities.
As of Dec. 31, 2023, four of PSCo’s ten most significant counterparties for these activities, comprising $30 million or 36% of this credit exposure, had investment grade credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s Investor Services or Fitch Ratings.
Six of the ten most significant counterparties, comprising $40 million or 48% of this credit exposure, were not rated by these external ratings agencies, but based on PSCo’s internal analysis, had credit quality consistent with investment grade.
None of these significant counterparties had credit quality less than investment grade, based on internal analysis.
Eight of these significant counterparties are municipal, cooperative electric entities, RTOs or other utilities.
Credit Related Contingent Features - Contract provisions for derivative instruments that PSCo enters into, including those accounted for as normal purchase and normal sale contracts and therefore not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets, may require the posting of collateral or settlement of the contracts for various reasons, including if PSCo’s credit ratings are downgraded below its investment grade credit rating by any of the major credit rating agencies. As of Dec. 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no derivative liabilities position with such underlying contract provisions.
Also, certain contracts may contain cross default provisions that may require the posting of collateral or settlement of the contracts if there was a failure under other financing arrangements related to payment terms or other covenants. As of Dec. 31, 2023 there were approximately $8 million of derivative instruments in a liability position with such underlying contract provisions. As of Dec. 31, 2022, there were no derivative liabilities in a liability position with such underlying contract provisions.
Certain derivative instruments are also subject to contract provisions that contain adequate assurance clauses. These provisions allow counterparties to seek performance assurance, including cash collateral, in the event that PSCo’s ability to fulfill its contractual obligations is reasonably expected to be impaired. PSCo had no collateral posted related to adequate assurance clauses in derivative contracts as of Dec. 31, 2023 and 2022.
Recurring Derivative Fair Value Measurements
Impact of derivative activity:
Pre-Tax Fair Value Gains (Losses) Recognized During the Period in:
(Millions of Dollars) Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss Regulatory (Assets) and Liabilities
Year Ended Dec. 31, 2023
Other derivative instruments
Natural gas commodity $ - $ (13)
Total $ - $ (13)
Year Ended Dec. 31, 2022
Other derivative instruments
Natural gas commodity $ - $ (15)
Total $ - $ (15)
Year Ended Dec. 31, 2021
Other derivative instruments
Natural gas commodity $ - $ (1)
Total $ - $ (1)
Pre-Tax (Gains) Losses Reclassified into Income During the Period from: Pre-Tax Gains (Losses) Recognized During the Period in Income
(Millions of Dollars) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Regulatory Assets and (Liabilities)
Year Ended Dec. 31, 2023
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
Interest rate $ 1 (a)
$ - $ -
Total $ 1 $ - $ -
Other derivative instruments
Commodity trading $ - $ - $ (5) (b)
Natural gas commodity - 15 (c)
(16) (c)(d)
Total $ - $ 15 $ (21)
Year Ended Dec. 31, 2022
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
Interest rate $ 1 (a)
$ - $ -
Total $ 1 $ - $ -
Other derivative instruments
Commodity trading $ - $ - $ 7 (b)
Natural gas commodity - 8 (c)
(17) (c)(d)
Total $ - $ 8 $ (10)
Year Ended Dec. 31, 2021
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
Interest rate $ 2 (a)
$ - $ -
Total $ 2 $ - $ -
Other derivative instruments
Commodity trading $ - $ - $ 12 (b)
Natural gas commodity - 4 (c)
(15) (c)(d)
Total $ - $ 4 $ (3)
(a)Recorded to interest charges.
(b)Recorded to electric revenues. Presented amounts do not reflect non-derivative transactions or margin sharing with customers.
(c)Recorded to cost of natural gas sold and transported. These losses are subject to cost-recovery mechanisms and reclassified out of income to a regulatory asset, as appropriate.
(d)Relates primarily to option premium amortization.
PSCo had no derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges during the years ended Dec. 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:
Dec. 31, 2023 Dec. 31, 2022
Fair Value Fair Value Total Netting (a)
Total Fair Value Fair Value Total Netting (a)
Total
(Millions of Dollars) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Current derivative assets
Other derivative instruments:
Commodity trading $ 1 $ 19 $ - $ 20 $ (17) $ 3 $ 16 $ 220 $ 1 $ 237 $ (184) $ 53
Natural gas commodity - 8 - 8 - 8 - 12 - 12 - 12
Total current derivative assets $ 1 $ 27 $ - $ 28 $ (17) $ 11 $ 16 $ 232 $ 1 $ 249 $ (184) $ 65
Noncurrent derivative assets
Other derivative instruments:
Commodity trading $ 6 $ 9 $ - $ 15 $ - $ 15 $ 12 $ 32 $ 9 $ 53 $ (31) $ 22
Total noncurrent derivative assets $ 6 $ 9 $ - $ 15 $ - $ 15 $ 12 $ 32 $ 9 $ 53 $ (31) $ 22
Current derivative liabilities
Other derivative instruments:
Commodity trading $ 1 $ 25 $ - $ 26 $ (17) $ 9 $ 5 $ 237 $ 1 $ 243 $ (223) $ 20
Natural gas commodity - 8 - 8 - 8 - 10 - 10 - 10
Total current derivative liabilities $ 1 $ 33 $ - $ 34 $ (17) $ 17 $ 5 $ 247 $ 1 $ 253 $ (223) $ 30
Noncurrent derivative liabilities
Other derivative instruments:
Commodity trading $ 2 $ 1 $ - $ 3 $ (3) $ - $ 7 $ 40 $ - $ 47 $ (38) $ 9
Total noncurrent derivative liabilities $ 2 $ 1 $ - $ 3 $ (3) $ - $ 7 $ 40 $ - $ 47 $ (38) $ 9
(a)PSCo nets derivative instruments and related collateral on its consolidated balance sheets when supported by a legally enforceable master netting agreement. At Dec. 31, 2023 and 2022, derivative assets and liabilities include no obligations to return cash collateral. At Dec. 31, 2023 and 2022, derivative assets and liabilities include rights to reclaim cash collateral of $4 million and $46 million, respectively. Counterparty netting amounts presented exclude settlement receivables and payables and non-derivative amounts that may be subject to the same master netting agreements.
Changes in Level 3 commodity derivatives:
Year Ended Dec. 31
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022 2021
Balance at Jan. 1 $ 9 $ (63) $ (44)
Settlements (a)
- 12 4
Net transactions recorded during the period:
(Losses) gains recognized in earnings (a)
(9) 60 (23)
Balance at Dec. 31 $ - $ 9 $ (63)
(a)Relates to commodity trading and is subject to substantial offsetting losses and gains on derivative instruments categorized as levels 1 and 2 in the income statement. See above tables for the income statement impact of derivative activity, including commodity trading gains and losses.
Fair Value of Long-Term Debt
As of Dec. 31, other financial instruments for which the carrying amount did not equal fair value:
2023 2022
(Millions of Dollars) Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value
Long-term debt, including current portion $ 7,450 $ 6,580 $ 6,860 $ 5,881
Fair value of PSCo’s long-term debt is estimated based on recent trades and observable spreads from benchmark interest rates for similar securities. Fair value estimates are based on information available to management as of Dec. 31, 2023 and 2022, and given the observability of the inputs, fair values presented for long-term debt were assigned as Level 2.
9. Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits
Pension and Postretirement Health Care Benefits
Xcel Energy, which includes PSCo, has several noncontributory, qualified, defined benefit pension plans that cover almost all employees. All newly hired or rehired employees participate under the Cash Balance formula, which is based on pay credits using a percentage of annual eligible pay and annual interest credits.
The average annual interest crediting rates for these plans was 5.03, 5.14 and 2.26 percent in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
Some employees may participate under legacy formulas such as the traditional final average pay or pension equity. Xcel Energy’s policy is to fully fund into an external trust the actuarially determined pension costs recognized for ratemaking and financial reporting purposes, subject to the limitations of applicable employee benefit and tax laws.
In addition to the qualified pension plans, Xcel Energy maintains a SERP and a nonqualified pension plan. The SERP is maintained for certain executives who participated in the plan in 2008, when the SERP was closed to new participants.
The nonqualified pension plan provides benefits for compensation that is in excess of the limits applicable to the qualified pension plans, with distributions funded by Xcel Energy’s consolidated operating cash flows.
Obligations of the SERP and nonqualified plan as of Dec. 31, 2023 and 2022 were $12 million and $11 million, respectively, of which $2 million and $1 million was attributable to PSCo in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Xcel Energy recognized net benefit cost for financial reporting for the SERP and nonqualified plans of $2 million in 2023 and $17 million in 2022, respectively, of which immaterial amounts were attributable to PSCo.
Xcel Energy’s postretirement health care benefit plan is a continuation of certain welfare benefit programs for current employees. A full time employee’s date of hire or a retiree’s date of retirement determine eligibility for each of the programs.
Xcel Energy’s investment-return assumption considers the expected long-term performance for each of the asset classes in its pension and postretirement health care portfolio. Xcel Energy considers the historical returns achieved by its asset portfolios over long time periods, as well as the long-term projected return levels from investment experts. Xcel Energy Inc. and PSCo continually review pension assumptions.
Pension cost determination assumes a forecasted mix of investment types over the long-term.
•Investment returns in 2023 were above the assumed level of 6.53%.
•Investment returns in 2022 were below the assumed level of 6.39%.
•Investment returns in 2021 were above the assumed level of 6.38%.
•In 2024, PSCo’s expected investment-return assumption is 6.53%.
Pension plan and postretirement benefit assets are invested in a portfolio according to Xcel Energy’s return, liquidity and diversification objectives to provide a source of funding for plan obligations and minimize contributions to the plan, within appropriate levels of risk. The principal mechanism for achieving these objectives is the asset allocation given the long-term risk, return, correlation and liquidity characteristics of each particular asset class.
There were no significant concentrations of risk in any industry, index, or entity. Market volatility can impact even well-diversified portfolios and significantly affect the return levels achieved by the assets in any year.
State agencies also have issued guidelines to the funding of postretirement benefit costs. These assets are invested in a manner consistent with the investment strategy for the pension plan.
Xcel Energy’s ongoing investment strategy is based on plan-specific investment recommendations that seek to minimize potential investment and interest rate risk as a plan’s funded status increases over time.
The investment recommendations consider many factors and generally result in a greater percentage of long-duration fixed income securities being allocated to specific plans having relatively higher funded status ratios and a greater percentage of growth assets being allocated to plans having relatively lower funded status ratios.
Plan Assets
For each of the fair value hierarchy levels, PSCo’s pension plan assets measured at fair value:
Dec. 31, 2023 (a)
Dec. 31, 2022 (a)
(Millions of Dollars) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Measured at NAV Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Measured at NAV Total
Cash equivalents $ 94 $ - $ - $ - $ 94 $ 52 $ - $ - $ - $ 52
Commingled funds 177 - - 464 641 355 - - 317 672
Debt securities - 287 1 - 288 - 286 1 - 287
Equity securities 12 - - - 12 17 - - - 17
Other - 2 - - 2 - 3 - - 3
Total $ 283 $ 289 $ 1 $ 464 $ 1,037 $ 424 $ 289 $ 1 $ 317 $ 1,031
(a)See Note 8 for further information on fair value measurement inputs and methods.
For each of the fair value hierarchy levels, PSCo’s proportionate allocation of the total postretirement benefit plan assets that were measured at fair value:
Dec. 31, 2023 (a)
Dec. 31, 2022 (a)
(Millions of Dollars) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Measured at NAV Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Measured at NAV Total
Cash equivalents $ 29 $ - $ - $ - $ 29 $ 28 $ - $ - $ - $ 28
Insurance contracts - 35 - - 35 - 36 - - 36
Commingled funds 20 - - 63 83 47 - - 56 103
Debt securities - 165 1 - 166 - 153 1 - 154
Other - 1 - - 1 - (1) - - (1)
Total $ 49 $ 201 $ 1 $ 63 $ 314 $ 75 $ 188 $ 1 $ 56 $ 320
(a)See Note 8 for further information on fair value measurement inputs and methods.
Immaterial assets were transferred in or out of Level 3 for 2023 and 2022.
Funded Status - Comparisons of the actuarially computed benefit obligation, changes in plan assets and funded status of the pension and postretirement health care plans for PSCo are as follows:
Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022 2023 2022
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Obligation at Jan. 1 $ 1,032 $ 1,363 $ 296 $ 369
Service cost 19 29 1 1
Interest cost 58 41 16 10
Actuarial (gain) loss 45 (317) 18 (55)
Plan participants’ contributions - - 7 7
Medicare subsidy reimbursements - - - 1
Benefit payments (83) (84) (42) (37)
Obligation at Dec. 31 $ 1,071 $ 1,032 $ 296 $ 296
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets:
Fair value of plan assets at Jan. 1 $ 1,031 $ 1,351 $ 320 $ 393
Actual return on plan assets 89 (276) 26 (46)
Employer contributions - 40 3 3
Plan participants’ contributions - - 7 7
Benefit payments (83) (84) (42) (37)
Fair value of plan assets at Dec. 31 $ 1,037 $ 1,031 $ 314 $ 320
Funded status of plans at Dec. 31 $ (34) $ (1) $ 18 $ 24
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at Dec. 31:
Noncurrent assets - 8 18 24
Noncurrent liabilities (34) (9) - -
Net amounts recognized $ (34) $ (1) $ 18 $ 24
Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits
Significant Assumptions Used to Measure Benefit Obligations: 2023 2022 2023 2022
Discount rate for year-end valuation 5.49 % 5.80 % 5.54 % 5.80 %
Expected average long-term increase in compensation level 4.25 % 4.25 % N/A N/A
Mortality table Pri-2012 Pri-2012 Pri-2012 Pri-2012
Health care costs trend rate - initial: Pre-65 N/A N/A 6.50 % 6.50 %
Health care costs trend rate - initial: Post-65 N/A N/A 5.50 % 5.50 %
Ultimate trend assumption - initial: Pre-65 N/A N/A 4.50 % 4.50 %
Ultimate trend assumption - initial: Post-65 N/A N/A 4.50 % 4.50 %
Years until ultimate trend is reached N/A N/A 6 7
Accumulated benefit obligation for the pension plan was $1,010 million and $992 million as of Dec. 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) - Net periodic benefit cost (credit), other than the service cost component, is included in other income (expense) in the statements of income.
Components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) and amounts recognized in other comprehensive income and regulatory assets and liabilities:
Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022 2021 2023 2022 2021
Service cost $ 19 $ 29 $ 32 $ 1 $ 1 $ 1
Interest cost 58 41 39 16 10 11
Expected return on plan assets (76) (78) (73) (15) (15) (16)
Amortization of prior service credit - - - - (2) (4)
Amortization of net loss 1 23 32 1 1 3
Settlement charge (a)
- 3 - - - -
Net periodic pension cost (credit) 2 18 30 3 (5) (5)
Effects of regulation 9 4 - - 3 2
Net benefit cost (credit) recognized for financial reporting $ 11 $ 22 $ 30 $ 3 $ (2) $ (3)
Significant Assumptions Used to Measure Costs:
Discount rate 5.80 % 3.08 % 2.71 % 5.80 % 3.09 % 2.65 %
Expected average long-term increase in compensation level 4.25 3.75 3.75 N/A N/A N/A
Expected average long-term rate of return on assets 6.53 6.39 6.38 5.00 4.10 4.10
(a)A settlement charge is required when the amount of all lump-sum distributions during the year is greater than the sum of the service and interest cost components of the annual net periodic pension cost. In 2022, as a result of lump-sum distributions during the plan year, PSCo recorded a total pension settlement charge of $3 million. An immaterial amount was recorded in the income statement in 2022. There were no settlement charges recorded to the qualified pension plans in 2023 or 2021.
Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022 2023 2022
Amounts Not Yet Recognized as Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost:
Net loss $ 355 $ 325 $ 59 $ 53
Prior service credit (1) (1) - -
Total $ 354 $ 324 $ 59 $ 53
Amounts Not Yet Recognized as Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Have Been Recorded as Follows Based Upon Expected Recovery in Rates:
Current regulatory assets $ 3 $ 3 $ 1 $ -
Noncurrent regulatory assets 351 320 58 53
Net-of-tax accumulated other comprehensive income 1 -
Total $ 354 $ 324 $ 59 $ 53
Measurement date Dec. 31, 2023 Dec. 31, 2022 Dec. 31, 2023 Dec. 31, 2022
Cash Flows - Funding requirements can be impacted by changes to actuarial assumptions, actual asset levels and other calculations prescribed by the requirements of income tax and other pension-related regulations. Required contributions were made in 2021 - 2024 to meet minimum funding requirements. Total voluntary and required pension funding contributions across all four of Xcel Energy’s pension plans were as follows:
•$100 million in January 2024, of which $7 million was attributable to PSCo.
•$50 million in 2023, of which zero was attributable to PSCo.
•$50 million in 2022, of which $40 million was attributable to PSCo.
•$131 million in 2021, of which $46 million was attributable to PSCo.
The postretirement health care plans have no funding requirements other than fulfilling benefit payment obligations when claims are presented and approved. Additional cash funding requirements are prescribed by certain state and federal rate regulatory authorities.
Xcel Energy’s voluntary postretirement funding contributions were as follows:
•$11 million expected in 2024, of which $2 million is attributable to PSCo.
•$11 million during 2023, of which $3 million was attributable to PSCo.
•$13 million during 2022, of which $3 million was attributable to PSCo.
•$15 million during 2021, of which $3 million was attributable to PSCo.
Targeted asset allocations:
Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits
2023 2022 2023 2022
Long-duration fixed income securities 38 % 38 % - % - %
Domestic and international equity securities 31 33 9 16
Alternative investments 20 18 13 12
Short-to-intermediate fixed income securities 9 9 77 71
Cash 2 2 1 1
Total 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 %
The asset allocations above reflect target allocations approved in the calendar year to take effect in the subsequent year
Plan Amendments - In 2023, Xcel Energy amended the Xcel Energy Pension Plan and Xcel Energy Inc. Nonbargaining Pension Plan (South) to reduce supplemental social security benefits for all active participants on and after Jan. 1, 2024.
There was no significant plan amendments made in 2022 which affected the projected benefit obligation.
In 2021, Xcel Energy amended the Xcel Energy Pension Plan and Xcel Energy Inc. Nonbargaining Pension Plan (South) to reduce supplemental benefits for non-bargaining participants as well as to allow the transfer of a portion of non-qualified pension obligations into the qualified plans.
Projected Benefit Payments
PSCo’s projected benefit payments:
(Millions of Dollars) Projected
Pension Benefit
Payments Gross Projected
Postretirement
Health Care
Benefit Payments Expected
Medicare Part D
Subsidies Net Projected
Postretirement
Health Care
Benefit Payments
2024 $ 89 $ 31 $ 2 $ 29
2025 80 30 2 28
2026 80 29 2 27
2027 80 28 2 26
2028 79 27 2 25
2029-2033 384 123 12 111
Voluntary Retirement Program
Incremental to amounts presented above for postretirement benefits, Xcel Energy, which includes PSCo, recognized new postemployment costs and obligations in the fourth quarter of 2023 for employees accepted to a voluntary retirement program.
Utilizing employee information and the following inputs, the estimated PSCo obligations for the program of $2 million for health plan subsidies and an immaterial amount for other medical benefits, each commencing in 2024, were recognized in the fourth quarter of 2023. These unfunded obligations are presented in other current liabilities and noncurrent pension and employee benefit obligations in the consolidated balance sheet as of Dec. 31, 2023.
Significant Assumptions to Measure Benefit Obligations: 2023
Discount rate for year-end valuation 5.50 %
Mortality table PRI-2012
Health care costs trend rate and ultimate trend assumption 7.00 %
Defined Contribution Plans
Xcel Energy, which includes PSCo, maintains 401(k) and other defined contribution plans that cover most employees. Total expense to these plans for PSCo was approximately $13 million in 2023, and $12 million in 2022 and 2021.
10. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal
PSCo is involved in various litigation matters in the ordinary course of business. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or is a reasonable possibility, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events. Management maintains accruals for losses probable of being incurred and subject to reasonable estimation.
Management is sometimes unable to estimate an amount or range of a reasonably possible loss in certain situations, including but not limited to when (1) the damages sought are indeterminate, (2) the proceedings are in the early stages, or (3) the matters involve novel or unsettled legal theories.
In such cases, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the timing or ultimate resolution, including a possible eventual loss. For current proceedings not specifically reported herein, management does not anticipate that the ultimate liabilities, if any, would have a material effect on PSCo’s consolidated financial statements. Legal fees are generally expensed as incurred.
Comanche Unit 3 Litigation - In 2021, CORE filed a lawsuit in Denver County District Court, alleging PSCo breached ownership agreement terms by failing to operate Comanche Unit 3 in accordance with prudent utility practices. In April 2022, CORE filed a supplement to include damages related to a 2022 outage. Also in 2022, CORE sent notice of withdrawal from the ownership agreement based on the same alleged breaches.
In February 2023, the court granted PSCo’s motion precluding CORE from seeking damages related to its withdrawal as part of the lawsuit. In October 2023, the jury ruled that CORE may not withdraw as a joint owner of the facility but awarded CORE lost power damages of $26 million. PSCo recognized a $34 million loss for the verdict in the third quarter of 2023, including estimated interest and other costs. PSCo intends to file an appeal of this decision.
Marshall Wildfire Litigation - In December 2021, a wildfire ignited in Boulder County, Colorado (the “Marshall Fire”), which burned over 6,000 acres and destroyed or damaged over 1,000 structures. On June 8, 2023, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office released its Marshall Fire Investigative Summary and Review and its supporting documents (the “Sheriff’s Report”). According to an October 2022 statement from the Colorado Insurance Commissioner, the Marshall Fire is estimated to have caused more than $2 billion in property losses.
According to the Sheriff’s Report, on Dec. 30, 2021, a fire ignited on a residential property in Boulder, Colorado, located in PSCo’s service territory, for reasons unrelated to PSCo’s power lines. According to the Sheriff’s Report, approximately one hour and 20 minutes after the first ignition, a second fire ignited just south of the Marshall Mesa Trailhead in unincorporated Boulder County, Colorado, also located in PSCo’s service territory. According to the Sheriff’s Report, the second ignition started approximately 80 to 110 feet away from PSCo’s power lines in the area.
The Sheriff’s Report states that the most probable cause of the second ignition was hot particles discharged from PSCo’s power lines after one of the power lines detached from its insulator in strong winds, and further states that it cannot be ruled out that the second ignition was caused by an underground coal fire. According to the Sheriff’s Report, no design, installation or maintenance defects or deficiencies were identified on PSCo’s electrical circuit in the area of the second ignition. PSCo disputes that its power lines caused the second ignition.
PSCo is aware of 302 complaints, most of which have also named Xcel Energy Inc. and Xcel Energy Services, Inc. as additional defendants, relating to the Marshall Fire. The complaints are on behalf of at least 4,047 plaintiffs, and one complaint is filed on behalf of a putative class of first responders who allegedly were exposed to the threat of serious bodily injury, or smoke, soot and ash from the Marshall Fire. The complaints generally allege that PSCo’s equipment ignited the Marshall Fire and assert various causes of action under Colorado law, including negligence, premises liability, trespass, nuisance, wrongful death, willful and wanton conduct, negligent infliction of emotional distress, loss of consortium and inverse condemnation. In addition to seeking compensatory damages, certain of the complaints also seek exemplary damages.
In September 2023, the Boulder County District Court Judge consolidated eight lawsuits that were pending at that time into a single action for pretrial purposes and has subsequently consolidated additional lawsuits that have been filed. At the case management conference in February 2024, a trial date was set for September 2025.
Colorado courts do not apply strict liability in determining an electric utility company’s liability for fire-related damages. For inverse condemnation claims, Colorado courts assess whether a defendant acted with intent to take a plaintiff’s property or intentionally took an action which has the natural consequence of taking the property. For negligence claims, Colorado courts look to whether electric power companies have operated their system with a heightened duty of care consistent with the practical conduct of its business, and liability does not extend to occurrences that cannot be reasonably anticipated.
Colorado law does not impose joint and several liability in tort actions. Instead, under Colorado law, a defendant is liable for the degree or percentage of the negligence or fault attributable to that defendant, except where the defendant conspired with another defendant. A jury’s verdict in a Colorado civil case must be unanimous. Under Colorado law, in a civil action other than a medical malpractice action, the total award for noneconomic loss is capped at $0.6 million per defendant for claims that accrued at the time of the Marshall Fire unless the court finds justification to exceed that amount by clear and convincing evidence, in which case the maximum doubles.
Colorado law caps punitive or exemplary damages to an amount equal to the amount of the actual damages awarded to the injured party, except the court may increase any award of punitive damages to a sum up to three times the amount of actual damages if the conduct that is the subject of the claim has continued during the pendency of the case or the defendant has acted in a willful and wanton manner during the action which further aggravated plaintiff’s damages.
In the event Xcel Energy Inc. or PSCo was found liable related to this litigation and were required to pay damages, such amounts could exceed our insurance coverage of approximately $500 million and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, due to uncertainty as to the cause of the fire and the extent and magnitude of potential damages, Xcel Energy Inc. and PSCo are unable to estimate the amount or range of possible losses in connection with the Marshall Fire.
Rate Matters
PSCo is involved in various regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Until resolution, typically in the form of a rate order, uncertainties may exist regarding the ultimate rate treatment for certain activities and transactions. Amounts have been recognized for probable and reasonably estimable losses that may result. Unless otherwise disclosed, any reasonably possible range of loss in excess of any recognized amount is not expected to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Environmental
New and changing federal and state environmental mandates can create financial liabilities for PSCo, which are normally recovered through the regulated rate process.
Site Remediation
Various federal and state environmental laws impose liability where hazardous substances or other regulated materials have been released to the environment. PSCo may sometimes pay all or a portion of the cost to remediate sites where past activities of PSCo’s predecessors or other parties have caused environmental contamination. Environmental contingencies could arise from various situations, including sites of former MGPs; and third-party sites, such as landfills, for which PSCo is alleged to have sent wastes to that site.
MGP, Landfill and Disposal Sites
PSCo is currently investigating, remediating or performing post-closure actions at two historical MGP, landfill or other disposal sites across its service territory, excluding sites that are being addressed under current coal ash regulations (see below).
PSCo has recognized approximately $6 million of costs/liabilities from final resolution of these issues; however, the outcome and timing are unknown. In addition, there may be insurance recovery and/or recovery from other potentially responsible parties, offsetting a portion of costs incurred.
Environmental Requirements - Water and Waste
Coal Ash Regulation - PSCo’s operations are subject to federal and state regulations that impose requirements for handling, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste. Under the CCR Rule, utilities are required to complete groundwater sampling around their applicable landfills and surface impoundments as well as perform corrective actions where offsite groundwater has been impacted.
If certain impacts to groundwater are detected, utilities are required to perform additional groundwater investigations and/or perform corrective actions beginning with an Assessment of Corrective Measures. Investigation and/or corrective action related to groundwater impacts are currently underway at four PSCo sites under the federal CCR program at a current estimated cost of at least $40 million. A liability has been recorded and is expected to be fully recoverable through regulatory mechanisms.
PSCo has executed an agreement with a third party that will excavate and process ash for beneficial use (at two sites) at a cost of approximately $45 million. An estimated liability has been recorded and amounts are expected to be fully recoverable through regulatory mechanisms.
AROs - AROs have been recorded for PSCo’s assets.
PSCo’s AROs were as follows:
(Millions
of Dollars) Jan. 1,
2023 Accretion Cash Flow Revisions (a)
Dec. 31, 2023
Electric
Steam, hydro and other production $ 180 $ 8 $ - $ 188
Wind 44 2 - 46
Distribution 17 - - 17
Natural gas
Transmission and distribution 235 11 (114) 132
Total liability $ 476 $ 21 $ (114) $ 383
(a)In 2023, AROs were revised for changes in timing and estimates of cash flows. Changes in gas transmission and distribution AROs were primarily the result of changes to inflation and discount rate assumptions as well as updated mileage of gas lines and number of services.
(Millions
of Dollars) Jan. 1, 2022 Amounts Incurred (a)
Accretion Cash Flow Revisions (b)
Dec. 31, 2022
Electric
Steam, hydro and other production $ 152 $ 34 $ 6 $ (12) $ 180
Wind 42 - 2 - 44
Distribution 16 - 1 - 17
Natural gas
Transmission and distribution 212 - 10 13 235
Total liability $ 422 $ 34 $ 19 $ 1 $ 476
(a)Amounts incurred related to steam production pond remediation costs.
(b)In 2022, AROs were revised for changes in timing and estimates of cash flows. Revisions in steam, hydro, and other production AROs primarily related to changes in cost estimates for remediation of ash containment facilities. Changes in gas transmission and distribution AROs were primarily related to changes in labor rates coupled with increased gas line mileage and number of services.
Indeterminate AROs - Outside of the recorded asbestos AROs, other plants or buildings may contain asbestos due to the age of many of PSCo’s facilities, but no confirmation or measurement of the cost of removal could be determined as of Dec. 31, 2023. Therefore, an ARO has not been recorded for these facilities.
Leases
PSCo evaluates contracts that may contain leases, including PPAs and arrangements for the use of office space and other facilities, vehicles and equipment. A contract contains a lease if it conveys the exclusive right to control the use of a specific asset. A contract determined to contain a lease is evaluated further to determine if the arrangement is a finance lease.
ROU assets represent PSCo's rights to use leased assets. The present value of future operating lease payments is recognized in current and noncurrent operating lease liabilities. These amounts, adjusted for any prepayments or incentives, are recognized as operating lease ROU assets.
Most of PSCo’s leases do not contain a readily determinable discount rate. Therefore, the present value of future lease payments is generally calculated using the estimated incremental borrowing rate (weighted average of 4.2%). For currently existing asset classes, PSCo has elected to utilize the practical expedient under which non-lease components, such as asset maintenance costs included in payments, are not deducted from lease payments for the purposes of lease accounting and disclosure.
Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are classified as short-term leases and are not recognized on the consolidated balance sheet.
Operating lease ROU assets:
(Millions of Dollars) Dec. 31, 2023 Dec. 31, 2022
PPAs $ 623 $ 612
Other 112 80
Gross operating lease ROU assets 735 692
Accumulated amortization (369) (255)
Net operating lease ROU assets $ 366 $ 437
ROU assets for finance leases are included in other noncurrent assets, and the present value of future finance lease payments is included in other current liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities.
PSCo’s most significant finance lease activities are related to WYCO, a joint venture with CIG, to develop and lease natural gas pipeline, storage and compression facilities. Xcel Energy Inc. has a 50% ownership interest in WYCO. WYCO leases its facilities to CIG, and CIG operates the facilities, providing natural gas storage and transportation services to PSCo under separate service agreements.
PSCo accounts for its Totem natural gas storage service and Front Range pipeline arrangements with CIG and WYCO, respectively, as finance leases.
Finance lease ROU assets:
(Millions of Dollars) Dec. 31, 2023 Dec. 31, 2022
Gas storage facilities $ 160 $ 160
Gas pipeline 21 21
Gross finance lease ROU assets 181 181
Accumulated amortization (67) (64)
Net finance lease ROU assets $ 114 $ 117
Components of lease expense:
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022 2021
Operating leases
PPA capacity payments $ 89 $ 91 $ 102
Other operating leases (a)
19 20 16
Total operating lease expense (b)
$ 108 $ 111 $ 118
Finance leases
Amortization of ROU assets $ 3 $ 4 $ 7
Interest expense on lease liability 15 16 17
Total finance lease expense $ 18 $ 20 $ 24
(a)Includes immaterial short-term lease expense of for 2023, 2022 and 2021.
(b)PPA capacity payments are included in electric fuel and purchased power on the consolidated statements of income. Expense for other operating leases is included in O&M expense and electric fuel and purchased power.
Commitments under operating and finance leases as of Dec. 31, 2023:
(Millions of Dollars) PPA (a) (b)
Operating
Leases
Other Operating
Leases
Total
Operating
Leases
Finance Leases
2024 $ 98 $ 19 $ 117 $ 18
2025 97 12 109 18
2026 74 8 82 18
2027 44 8 52 16
2028 20 8 28 15
Thereafter 39 6 45 333
Total minimum obligation 372 61 433 418
Interest component of obligation (35) (6) (41) (304)
Present value of minimum obligation $ 337 $ 55 392 114
Less current portion (102) (3)
Noncurrent operating and finance lease liabilities $ 290 $ 111
Weighted-average remaining lease term in years 4.6 36.8
(a)Amounts do not include PPAs accounted for as executory contracts and/or contingent payments, such as energy payments on renewable PPAs.
(b)PPA operating leases contractually expire at various dates through 2032.
PPAs and Fuel Contracts
Non-Lease PPAs - PSCo has entered into PPAs with other utilities and energy suppliers for purchased power to meet system load and energy requirements, operating reserve obligations and as part of wholesale and commodity trading activities. In general, these agreements provide for energy payments, based on actual energy delivered, and may also include capacity payments. Certain PPAs, accounted for as executory contracts with various expiration dates through 2027, contain minimum energy purchase requirements.
Included in electric fuel and purchased power expenses for PPAs accounted for as executory contracts were payments for capacity of $3 million, $3 million and $2 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Capacity and energy payments are contingent on the IPP meeting contract obligations, including plant availability requirements. Certain contractual payments are adjusted based on market indices. The effects of price adjustments on financial results are mitigated through purchased energy cost recovery mechanisms.
At Dec. 31, 2023, the estimated future payments for capacity that PSCo is obligated to purchase pursuant to these executory contracts, subject to availability, were as follows:
(Millions of Dollars) Capacity
2024 $ 3
2025 3
2026 3
2027 1
2028 -
Thereafter -
Total $ 10
Fuel Contracts - PSCo has entered into various long-term commitments for the purchase and delivery of a significant portion of its coal and natural gas requirements. These contracts expire between 2024 and 2060. PSCo is required to pay additional amounts depending on actual quantities delivered under these agreements.
Estimated minimum purchases under these contracts as of Dec. 31, 2023:
(Millions of Dollars) Coal Natural gas supply Natural gas storage and
transportation
2024 $ 143 $ 221 $ 108
2025 74 12 105
2026 39 - 105
2027 35 - 105
2028 - - 62
Thereafter - - 382
Total $ 291 $ 233 $ 867
VIEs
Under certain PPAs, PSCo purchases power from IPPs for which PSCo is required to reimburse fuel costs, or to participate in tolling arrangements under which PSCo procures the natural gas required to produce the energy that it purchases. PSCo has determined that certain IPPs are VIEs, however PSCo is not subject to risk of loss from the operations of these entities, and no significant financial support is required other than contractual payments for energy and capacity.
PSCo evaluated each of these VIEs for possible consolidation, including review of qualitative factors such as the length and terms of the contract, control over O&M, control over dispatch of electricity, historical and estimated future fuel and electricity prices and financing activities. PSCo concluded that these entities are not required to be consolidated in its consolidated financial statements because PSCo does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities’ economic performance. PSCo had approximately 1,207 MW and 1,442 MW of capacity under long-term PPAs at Dec. 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, with entities that have been determined to be VIEs. These agreements have expiration dates through 2032.
11. Other Comprehensive Income
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the years ended Dec. 31:
(Millions of Dollars) Gains and Losses on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedges Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Items Total
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at Jan. 1 $ (20) $ (2) $ (22)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
- - -
Losses reclassified from net accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Amortization of interest rate hedges
1 (a)
- 1
Amortization of net actuarial loss - 1 (b)
Net current period other comprehensive income 1 1 2
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at Dec. 31 $ (19) $ (1) $ (20)
(a)Included in interest charges.
(b)Included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs. See Note 9 for further information.
(Millions of Dollars) Gains and Losses on Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedges Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Items Total
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at Jan. 1 $ (21) $ (1) $ (22)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications - (1) (1)
Losses reclassified from net accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Amortization of interest rate hedges
1 (a)
- 1
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 1 (1) -
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at Dec. 31 (20) (2) (22)
(a)Included in interest charges.
12. Segment Information
PSCo evaluates performance based on profit or loss generated from the product or service provided. These segments are managed separately because the revenue streams are dependent upon regulated rate recovery, which is separately determined for each segment.
PSCo has the following reportable segments:
•Regulated Electric - The regulated electric utility segment generates, purchases, transmits, distributes and sells electricity in Colorado. This segment includes sales for resale and provides wholesale transmission service to various entities in the United States. The regulated electric utility segment also includes PSCo’s wholesale commodity and trading operations.
•Regulated Natural Gas - The regulated natural gas utility segment purchases, transports, stores, distributes and sells natural gas in portions of Colorado.
PSCo also presents All Other, which includes operating segments with revenues below the necessary quantitative thresholds. Those operating segments primarily include steam revenue, appliance repair services and non-utility real estate activities.
Asset and capital expenditure information is not provided for PSCo’s reportable segments because as an integrated electric and natural gas utility, PSCo operates significant assets that are not dedicated to a specific business segment. Reporting assets and capital expenditures by business segment would require arbitrary and potentially misleading allocations, which may not necessarily reflect the assets that would be required for the operation of the business segments on a stand-alone basis.
Certain costs, such as common depreciation, common O&M expenses and interest expense are allocated based on cost causation allocators across each segment. In addition, a general allocator is used for certain general and administrative expenses, including office supplies, rent, property insurance and general advertising.
PSCo’s segment information:
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022 2021
Regulated Electric
Operating revenues - external $ 3,731 $ 3,795 $ 3,413
Intersegment revenue 1 1 1
Total revenues $ 3,732 $ 3,796 $ 3,414
Depreciation and amortization 692 650 566
Interest charges and financing costs 224 200 179
Income tax benefit (2) (11) (16)
Net income 529 550 495
Regulated Natural Gas
Total revenues $ 1,734 $ 1,860 $ 1,355
Depreciation and amortization 224 190 171
Interest charges and financing costs 67 59 53
Income tax expense 37 49 45
Net income 149 180 168
All Other
Total revenues (a)
$ 54 $ 53 $ 47
Depreciation and amortization 8 8 7
Interest charges and financing costs 1 1 2
Income tax (benefit) expense (6) (1) 4
Net (loss) income 17 (3) (3)
Consolidated Total
Total revenues (a)
$ 5,520 $ 5,709 $ 4,816
Reconciling eliminations (1) (1) (1)
Total operating revenues $ 5,519 $ 5,708 $ 4,815
Depreciation and amortization 924 848 744
Interest charges and financing costs 292 260 234
Income tax expense 29 37 33
Net income 695 727 660
(a)Operating revenues include $5 million of other affiliate revenue for the years ended Dec. 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. See Note 13 for further information.
13. Related Party Transactions
Xcel Energy Services Inc. provides management, administrative and other services for the subsidiaries of Xcel Energy Inc., including PSCo. The services are provided and billed to each subsidiary in accordance with service agreements executed by each subsidiary. PSCo uses services provided by Xcel Energy Services Inc. whenever possible. Costs are charged directly to the subsidiary and are allocated if they cannot be directly assigned.
Xcel Energy, Inc., NSP-Minnesota, NSP-Wisconsin, PSCo and SPS have established a utility money pool arrangement.
See Note 5 for further information.
Significant affiliate transactions among the companies and related parties for the years ended Dec. 31:
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022 2021
Operating revenues:
Other $ 5 $ 5 $ 5
Operating expenses:
Other operating expenses - paid to Xcel Energy Services Inc. 679 670 617
Interest expense 5 2 -
Interest income 2 - -
Accounts receivable and payable with affiliates at Dec. 31:
2023 2022
(Millions of Dollars) Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable
NSP-Minnesota $ - $ 5 $ 2 $ -
NSP-Wisconsin - 1 - 2
SPS - 11 - 11
Other subsidiaries of Xcel Energy Inc. 28 66 9 62
$ 28 $ 83 $ 11 $ 75
14. Workforce Reduction
In 2023, Xcel Energy implemented workforce actions to align resources and investments with evolving business and customer needs, and streamline the organization for long-term success.
In September 2023, Xcel Energy announced a voluntary retirement program to a group of eligible non-bargaining employees, with an enhanced retirement package including certain health care and cash benefits for accepted employees. Approximately 400 employees retired under this program in December 2023.
In November 2023, Xcel Energy, Inc. also reduced its non-bargaining workforce by approximately 150 employees through an involuntary severance program.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, Xcel Energy recorded total expense of $72 million related to these workforce actions, of which $20 million was attributable to PSCo. Expenses relate to the estimated cost of future health plan subsidies and other medical benefits for the voluntary retirement program, as well as severance and other employee payouts and legal and other professional fees.
For further information on the estimated obligations for future health plan subsidies and other medical benefits, see Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9 - CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
PSCo maintains a set of disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. In addition, the disclosure controls and procedures ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, allowing timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of Dec. 31, 2023, based on an evaluation carried out under the supervision and with the participation of PSCo’s management, including the CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures, the CEO and CFO have concluded that PSCo’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
No changes in PSCo’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter ended Dec. 31, 2023 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, PSCo’s internal control over financial reporting. PSCo maintains internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the financial reporting. PSCo has evaluated and documented its controls in process activities, general computer activities, and on an entity-wide level.
During the year and in preparation for issuing its report for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023 on internal controls under section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, PSCo conducted testing and monitoring of its internal control over financial reporting. Based on the control evaluation, testing and remediation performed, PSCo did not identify any material control weaknesses, as defined under the standards and rules issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, as approved by the SEC and as indicated in PSCo’s Management Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting, which is contained in Item 8 herein.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of PSCo’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by PSCo’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to the rules of the SEC that permit PSCo to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B - OTHER INFORMATION
None.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10 - DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11 - EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12 - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13 - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information required under this Item is contained in Xcel Energy Inc.’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14 - PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Information required under this Item (aggregate fees billed to us by our principal accountant, Deloitte & Touche LLP (PCAOB ID No. 34)) is contained in Xcel Energy Inc.’s Proxy Statement for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15 - EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
1 Consolidated Financial Statements:
Management Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting - For the year ended Dec. 31, 2023.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Income - For each of the three years ended Dec. 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - For each of the three years ended Dec. 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - For each of the three years ended Dec. 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
Consolidated Balance Sheets - As of Dec. 31, 2023, 2022.
Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholder’s Equity - For each of the three years ended Dec. 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
2 Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves for each of the years ended Dec. 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
3 Exhibits
* Indicates incorporation by reference
+ Executive Compensation Arrangements and Benefit Plans Covering Executive Officers and Directors
Exhibit Number Description Report or Registration Statement Exhibit Reference
3.01*
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation dated July 15, 1998
PSCo Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2017 3.01
3.02*
By-Laws of PSCo as Amended and Restated on Jan. 25, 2019
PSCo Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2018 3.02
4.01*
Indenture, dated as of Oct. 1, 1993, by and between PSCo and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York), as Trustee, providing for the issuance of First Collateral Trust Bonds
Xcel Energy Inc. Form S-3 dated April 18, 2018 4(d)(3)
4.02*
Supplemental Indenture No. 17, dated as of Aug. 1, 2007, by and between PSCo and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $350 million of 6.25% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 17 due Sept. 1, 2037
PSCo Form 8-K dated Aug. 8, 2007 4.01
4.03*
Supplemental Indenture No. 18, dated as of Aug. 1, 2008, by and between PSCo and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, creating $300 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 19 due Aug. 1, 2038
PSCo Form 8-K dated Aug. 6, 2008 4.01
4.04*
Supplemental Indenture No. 21, dated as of Aug. 1, 2011, by and between PSCo and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $250 million aggregate principal amount of 4.75% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 22 due Aug. 15, 2041
PSCo Form 8-K dated Aug. 9, 2011 4.01
4.05*
Supplemental Indenture No. 22, dated as of Sept. 1, 2012, between PSCo and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $500 million aggregate principal amount of 3.60% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 24 due Sept. 15, 2042
PSCo Form 8-K dated Sept. 11, 2012 4.01
4.06*
Supplemental Indenture No. 23, dated as of March 1, 2013, by and between PSCo and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $250 million aggregate principal amount of 2.50% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 25 due March 15, 2023 and $250 million aggregate principal amount of 3.95% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 26 due March 15, 2043
PSCo Form 8-K dated March 26, 2013 4.01
4.07*
Supplemental Indenture No. 24, dated as of March 1, 2014, by and between PSCo and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $300 million aggregate principal amount of 4.30% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 27 due March 15, 2044
PSCo Form 8-K dated March 10, 2014 4.01
4.08*
Supplemental Indenture No. 25, dated as of May 1, 2015, by and between PSCo and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $250 million aggregate principal amount of 2.90% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 28 due May 15, 2025
PSCo Form 8-K dated May 12, 2015 4.01
4.09*
Supplemental Indenture No. 26, dated as of June 1, 2016, by and between PSCo and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $250 million aggregate principal amount of 3.55% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 29 due June 15, 2046
PSCo Form 8-K dated June 13, 2016 4.01
4.10*
Supplemental Indenture No. 27, dated as of June 1, 2017, by and between PSCo and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $400 million aggregate principal amount of 3.80% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 30 due June 15, 2047
PSCo Form 8-K dated June 19, 2017 4.01
4.11*
Supplemental Indenture No. 28, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and between PSCo and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $350 million aggregate principal amount of 3.70% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 31 due June 15, 2028, and $350 million aggregate principal amount of 4.10% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 32 due June 15, 2048
PSCo Form 8-K dated June 21, 2018 4.01
4.12*
Supplemental Indenture No. 29, dated as of March 1, 2019, by and between PSCo and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.05% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 33 due Sept. 15, 2049
PSCo Form 8-K dated March 13, 2019 4.01
4.13*
Supplemental Indenture No. 30, dated as of Aug. 1, 2019, by and between PSCo and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $550 million aggregate principal amount of 3.20% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 34 due March 1, 2050
PSCo Form 8-K dated August 13, 2019 4.01
4.14*
Supplemental Indenture No. 31, dated as of May 1, 2020, by and between PSCo and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $375 million aggregate principal amount of 2.70% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 35 due Jan. 15, 2051 and $375 million aggregate principal amount of 1.90% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 36 due Jan. 15, 2031
PSCo Form 8-K dated May 15, 2020 4.01
4.15*
Supplemental Indenture No. 32, dated as of February 1, 2021, by and between PSCo and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor to U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee, creating $750 million aggregate principal amount of 1.875% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 37 due June 15, 2031
PSCo Form 8-K dated March 1, 2021
4.01
4.16*
Supplemental Indenture No. 33, dated as of May 1, 2022, by and between PSCo and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee, creating $300 million aggregate principal amount of 4.10% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 38 due June 1, 2032 and $400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.50% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 39 due June 1, 2052
PSCo Form 8-K dated May 17, 2022 99.03
4.17*
Supplemental Indenture No. 34, dated as of March 1, 2023, between PSCo and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as successor Trustee, creating $850 million principal amount of 5.25% First Mortgage Bonds, Series No. 40 due April 1, 2053.
PSCo Form 8-K dated April 3, 2023
4.01
10.01*
Xcel Energy Inc. Nonqualified Pension Plan (2009 Restatement)
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008 10.02
10.02*+
Xcel Energy Senior Executive Severance and Change-in-Control Policy (2009 Restatement)
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008 10.05
10.03*+
Second Amendment to Exhibit 10.02 dated Oct. 26, 2011
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011 10.18
10.04*+
Fifth Amendment to Exhibit 10.02 dated May 3, 2016
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 10.01
10.05*+
Seventh Amendment to Exhibit 10.02 dated May 7, 2018
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 10.01
10.06*+
Eighth Amendment to Exhibit 10.02 dated March 31, 2020
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 10.02
10.07*+
Ninth Amendment to Exhibit 10.02 dated May 22, 2020
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 10.01
10.08*+
Xcel Energy Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan as amended and restated Jan. 1, 2009
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008 10.17
10.09*+
Xcel Energy Inc. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (2009 Restatement)
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008 10.07
10.10*+
First Amendment to Exhibit 10.09 effective Nov. 29, 2011
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011 10.17
10.11*+
Second Amendment to Exhibit 10.09 dated May 21, 2013
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2013 10.22
10.12*+
Third Amendment to Exhibit 10.09 dated Sept. 30, 2016
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2016 10.01
10.13*+
Fourth Amendment to Exhibit 10.09 dated Oct. 23, 2017
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2017 10.1
10.14*+
Xcel Energy Inc. Amended and Restated 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2018 10.34
10.15*+
Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units and/or Performance Share Units under the Xcel Energy Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan for awards between 2020-2023
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2019 10.32
10.16+
Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units and/or Performance Share Units under the Xcel Energy Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan for awards since 2024
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023 10.16
10.17*+
Form of Award Agreement for Retention-Based Restricted Stock Units under the Xcel Energy Inc. Amended and Restated 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 8-K dated Dec. 10, 2021
10.01
10.18+
Xcel Energy Inc. Annual Incentive Plan, effective Feb. 21, 2024
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023 10.18
10.19*+
Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation, effective as of May 24, 2023
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023
10.01
10.20*+
Stock Equivalent Plan for Non-Employee Directors of Xcel Energy Inc. as amended and restated effective Feb. 23, 2011
Xcel Energy Inc. Definitive Proxy Statement dated April 5, 2011 Appendix A
10.21*+
Stock Program for Non-Employee Directors of Xcel Energy Inc. as Amended and Restated on Dec. 12, 2017 under the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2018 10.36
10.22*+
Form of Services Agreement between Xcel Energy Services Inc. and utility companies
Xcel Energy Inc. Form U5B dated Nov. 16, 2000 H-1
10.23*
Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2022, among PSCo, as Borrower, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A. and Barclays Bank PLC, as Syndication Agents, and Citibank, N.A., MUFG Bank, Ltd., and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agents
Xcel Energy Inc. Form 8-K dated Sept. 19, 2022 99.03
23.01
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.01
Principal Executive Officer’s certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.02
Principal Financial Officer’s certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.01
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH Inline XBRL Schema
101.CAL Inline XBRL Calculation
101.DEF Inline XBRL Definition
101.LAB Inline XBRL Label
101.PRE Inline XBRL Presentation
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
SCHEDULE II
Public Service Co. of Colorado and Subsidiaries Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Years Ended Dec. 31
Allowance for bad debts
(Millions of Dollars) 2023 2022 2021
Balance at Jan. 1 $ 54 $ 40 $ 29
Additions charged to costs and expenses 34 38 26
Additions charged to other accounts (a)
5 18 4
Deductions from reserves (b)
(37) (42) (19)
Balance at Dec. 31 $ 56 $ 54 $ 40
(a)Recovery of amounts previously written-off.
(b)Deductions related primarily to bad debt write-offs.