‘It’s changing pretty rapidly’: Colorado’s climate forces changes from Colorado Springs Utilities

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) — This week, potential record-breaking temperatures are serving as a reminder of how much Colorado’s climate has been changing.

Historically, this time of year is colder, with this week in particular being among the snowiest of the year. But in 2026 so far, not only have temperatures been warmer, but conditions have been drier.

“A lot of it has changed, it’s changing pretty rapidly,” Colorado Springs Utilities General Manager of Operations Bryan Babcock said.

Babcock said over the past few decades, Utilities has had to adjust how they serve the community, now prioritizing fire risk mitigation more than they had before.

It’s an issue homeowners have had to grapple with, especially after incidents like the Waldo Canyon Fire not only destroying homes, but altering how homeowners landscape the area around their homes.

For Utilities, this has forced some changes, as well.

“I think what has changed is really the addition of the perspective of trying to reduce ignition sources, which goes hand-in-hand with reliability,” Babcock said.

He added that Colorado Springs Utilities has spent around $40 million in the last five years to help build an infrastructure that is less likely to spark a fire and is more resistant to conditions that could cause one. He said they’ve also implemented technology to help spot when a fire might spark, so they’re prepared ahead of time.

This includes weather stations, of which Babcock said they are working on getting more for the upcoming year.

“So, we have ongoing, 24/7 situational awareness in terms of smoke and the potential for wildfire sources,” he said.

And, as far as power lines, he said reducing ignition risk is top of mind.

In recent years, investigators have found power lines to be partially responsible for wildfires. That includes the Marshall Fire in Boulder County in 2021.

“When the conditions are such that there’s high wind, low relative humidity, high fuel content types situations, we have those enhanced power line safety settings so they don’t reclose,” he explained.

Babcock said they are continuing to find ways to be more weather and fire-aware, and he urged everyone in southern Colorado to do the same.

That includes being aware of fire mitigation efforts, working with firefighters to identify risks and being aware of things like trailer chains to make sure you are reducing fire risk as much as possible. And Babcock said he is dedicated to that same level of awareness to keep the power on, no matter what conditions Colorado is facing.

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