Are you curious about utilities in Denver? If you’ve just landed a new address in the Mile High City, or you’re navigating life in the Denver suburbs, buying a home or renting in one of the many Denver neighborhoods, you’ve landed in the right place. Whether you’re buying a home in Denver, signing your first lease, or moving into a friend’s place while you house-hunt, setting up or transferring utilities can feel like one more big item on your checklist.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to connect with the major service providers (water, electric, gas, trash, internet), how to transfer service into your name (or set it up for a new build or newly purchased home in Denver), how to manage your bill payments, what typical costs may look like, and what to expect in terms of timing, deposits, and required information.
Here’s a little overview of how the utilities world works in the City and County of Denver and across Colorado:
- The state is served by a mix of investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, and cooperatives; for example, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulates many of the utilities that serve the region.
- Residential customers in Colorado do not have full choice of their electricity or natural gas supplier, as the system is not fully deregulated. That means when you move into a place in Denver, you’ll typically work directly with the local utility company that already services your address (e.g., Public Service Company of Colorado, Xcel Energy, etc).
- Since the utilities are regulated (rather than competitive supplier markets), you don’t have a long list of third-party providers to compare for basic electric or gas supply, the way you might in some other states.
So if you're looking to move into one of the beautiful Denver neighborhoods, set up utilities in your house or apartment, and want a clear, easy-to-follow breakdown of how to get everything working (and avoid surprises), let’s dive in.
How Much Are Denver Utilities?
When you are budgeting for life in the Mile High City, Denver cost of living conversations almost always include Denver utilities, and the good news is that they are generally more affordable than you might expect. According to the 2024 C2ER Cost of Living Index, the average utility bill in Denver is $169.80 per month, which makes City of Denver utilities about 24.1% lower than the national average. That is a huge perk for anyone trying to balance rent or mortgage payments with other expenses.
Energy prices have also been trending down. The latest BLS Consumer Price Index reports that overall energy costs in Denver dropped 3.4% over the past few months and 7.7% over the past year. This helps keep your Denver electricity cost manageable, especially during the colder months when heating bills naturally rise.
While actual utility expenses vary based on home size, season, and household income, most residents will find that Denver utilities remain relatively reasonable compared to other major U.S. cities.
Denver Electric and Gas | Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy is the largest provider of natural gas and electricity in the region and the primary Denver electric company and Denver gas company serving the metro area. Based in Minneapolis, Xcel operates across multiple states, including Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and New Mexico.
The company supports more than 3.7 million electric customers and 2.1 million natural gas customers through four subsidiaries: Northern States Power-Minnesota, Northern States Power-Wisconsin, Public Service Company of Colorado, and Southwestern Public Service Co.
As the main Denver power company, Xcel delivers reliable Denver gas and electric service and offers a convenient Denver utilities online account system for managing bills, start or stop service requests, and usage tracking. The company is also committed to a major clean energy transition with a goal of providing 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050, a significant note for anyone researching Denver utilities and sustainability efforts.
Transfer or Start Xcel Energy Service
So how do you set up these Denver utilities? To set up your Denver gas utility, head over to Xcel’s website and click on ‘Start/Stop Service.’ From there, you can follow the online prompts to get your gas and electric set up at your new address.
Xcel Energy Bill Pay
Xcel Energy accepts many different forms of payment.
- Online: Create an account and sign up for paperless billing, allowing you to pay your bill online. You can even enroll in AutoPay.
- Credit or debit: You can use your invoice number to pay your bill online using a credit or debit card.
- By phone: Call (800) 895-4999 to make your payment online.
- Mobile app: Download the app to pay your bill.
- In person: Xcel accepts payments at any available pay station. Here, you can pay by cash or money order.
- Mail: Use the pre-addressed return envelope enclosed in your bill and send your payment to:
- Xcel Energy, P.O. Box 660553, Dallas, TX 75266-0553
Xcel Energy Contact Info
Submit billing questions, service requests, and more by calling (800) 895-4999.
The Denver water department is the oldest and largest Denver utility, established in 1918, and today the Denver water company serves more than 1.5 million residential and business customers across the city and many surrounding suburbs. As one of the core Denver utilities, it operates as a public agency funded by water rates and tap fees rather than taxes. Denver Water is known for delivering high-quality drinking water and promoting efficient use, and customers can easily manage their accounts through online Denver utilities portals.
Transfer or Start Denver Water Service
So how do you set up these Denver utilities? To set up your Denver water service, simply call them at (303) 893-2444 any time between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. A customer service representative will walk you through the steps. Be prepared to provide the service address, the billing address, a phone number, and the start or end date for the service.
Denver Water Bill Pay
You have multiple convenient ways to pay your Denver Water bill, whether you prefer online tools or paying in person. These options make it easy to manage your account and stay on top of the average water bill in Denver Colorado.
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- Online: Pay your Denver utilities online with a one-time guest payment using a credit or debit card.
- Autopay: Create an online account, set up autopay, and have your payment automatically deducted from a credit card, debit card, checking account, savings account, or money market account. This is often the best option for avoiding missed payments.
- Mail: You can also send a check by mail using the remittance information on your bill.
- Pay-by-text: Through your online account, enroll in PAY-BY-TEXT. You will get a reminder five days before your bill is due and can send your payment with a quick reply.
- In-person payment centers: Visit Western Union agent locations to pay with cash or PIN-based debit cards.
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- Automated phone payments: 1 (800) 556-0292 (available 24/7)
- Customer Care Representative: (303) 893-2444 (Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.)
Denver Water Contact Info
- Customer Care: (303) 893-2444
- Emergencies: (303) 628-6801
The City of Denver Solid Waste Management Division is the primary provider of trash, recycling, and solid waste services for local residents. They handle everything from collection to account setup, billing, and service requests through the main Denver utilities portal.
How to Set Up Trash and Recycling Service
To start service, you will need to sign up for a new Denver utilities online account. Go to the city website and click the link to create an account. Enter your email, and you will receive a verification code. Click continue, add your name, and create a password. Choosing paperless billing is recommended so you can pay quickly without waiting for a mailed invoice.
Trash pickup is once per week. You can find your exact Denver trash pickup day by visiting the official schedule page or using the city’s recycling app. When you sign up, you can request your cart size. Available sizes are 35, 65, and 95 gallons. Your monthly bill is based on the size of your trash cart, and carts are provided by the city.
How to Pay Your Trash and Recycling Bill
Denver residents have several ways to pay their waste services bill through the main Denver utilities system.
- Online: Log in to your online account to pay with a credit card, debit card, or bank account.
- Autopay: Set up recurring payments through your Denver Utilities Online Account so your bill is always paid on time.
- Mail: You can send a check to: City and County of Denver, PO Box 735644, Dallas, TX 75373-5644
- In person: For billing questions or account issues, visiting in person is usually the most effective option.
These options make it simple to manage your solid waste services and keep your trash and recycling pickup running smoothly.
Denver Internet Providers
The Internet is a big part of Denver utilities. Here are a few of the top internet providers in Denver CO.
T Fiber
- Connection: Fiber
- Speeds up to 2000 Mbps
Xfinity
- Connection: Cable
- Speeds up to 2000 Mbps
GFiber
- Connection: Fiber
- Speeds up to 2000 Mbps
Quantum Fiber
- Connection: Fiber
- Speeds up to 8000 Mbps
Give Our Denver Movers a Call Today
Setting up or transferring Denver utilities does not have to be overwhelming. Once you understand how the City of Denver utilities system works and how to manage your accounts, bills, and service options, you can settle in with confidence. Whether you are relocating from out of state or moving across town, taking the time to plan ahead will help new residents get everything running smoothly before moving day.
If you are getting ready to move and want a stress-free experience, call Move 4 Less, your trusted Denver movers, to help you prepare and stay ahead of schedule. Reach out today by calling (702) 381-1200 for a free quote.
