By ISABELLA HEMNESS
The Ramspondents
Fort Collins Utilities has been nationally recognised for its innovative work in energy sustainability, earning the Excellence in Resourcefulness – Energy Award from Frost and Sullivan. This award honors organizations that show exceptional leadership, technological innovation, and consumer value in the utilities industry.
According to Nick Combs, communication and marketing manager at Fort Collins Utilities, the Frost and Sullivan Excellence Awards are a “...result of rigorous, independent research and analysis, which validates a company’s strategic and operational achievements.”
For Fort Collins, this award represents not just national recognition but also confirms that many of the city’s more forward-thinking strategies and practices are shaping the future of clean energy.
Frost & Sullivan highlighted several of Fort Collins Utilities’ key initiatives that contributed to the award. Among these are the implementation of Time-of-Use (TOU) rates which encourage consumers to shift energy use to off-peak hours.
Additionally, the deployment of a Distributed Energy Resources Management System (DERMS) further contributed to the award. DERMS is a platform that integrates technologies like thermostats, grid interactive water heaters, and advanced electric vehicle charging systems. Together with these programs and initiatives, the city has enhanced grid reliability and efficiency around Fort Collins all while reducing consumer costs.
The measurable impact of these efforts is significant. According to the Fort Collins Government website, utilities successfully:
Shifted approximately 750 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy annually — helping balance the grid and reduce emissions
Extended the life of critical grid equipment by reducing peak stress
Served as a national test bed for next-generation energy technologies, including smart EV integration
Additionally, the city also achieved a “cost of conserved energy” metric of about 4 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is notably lower than to the 6 to 7 cents per kWh cost of purchasing power from the wholesale market. These savings contribute directly to customers while also advancing Fort Collins’ stated climate goals of achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Beyond the technical achievements, this recognition shows how Fort Collins is progressing and contributing to sustainability and innovation within the utilities industry. This focus on the integration of technology and customer engagement and assistance means a lot for the city going forward.
“This is a significant award in the utilities industry,” Combs explained. “Winning indicates a company is a leader in its field, demonstrating excellence in key areas like innovation, customer service, and market performance.”
Isabella Hemness is a student at Colorado State University, studying journalism and international studies. With journalism experience through classes such as Newswriting, Video Editing and Advanced Reporting and an interest in community engagement and factual storytelling, Isabella works to inform and entertain through her writing. As a member of the Ramspondents, Isabella seeks to inform the population of CSU, Fort Collins, and beyond with accuracy and creativity.