Pueblo County Commissioners discuss settlement agreement to close Comanche 3 power plant

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Wednesday morning, Pueblo County Commissioners discussed the recent settlement agreement regarding the Comanche 3 power plant.

According to officials, the state's push for clean energy is what prompted the closure of the Comanche-3 Power Plant in Pueblo.

Officials say the Comanche 3 power plant is the last coal plant in Colorado. It's set to shut down by January 2031, nine years ahead of schedule.

"Climate change is an existential threat. You only need to look at the floods, the droughts, the extreme heat and know that we have a problem and we have to solve it," said Frances Koncija, a lawyer with Pueblo County.

Every year, the coal-burning Comanche power plant generates around 30 million in property taxes. Tax dollars generated by the plant go towards the 1-A program approved by voters in 2016.

1-a funded projects include airport repairs, the Arkansas River extension, Lake Minnequa Park improvements, and more. Property tax revenues generated by Commanche -3 account for more than a 70percent of the funding. Pueblo County Commissioners say they fought to secure these payments in this new settlement to avoid getting rid of the 1-A program.

Xcel Energy agreed to pay Pueblo County property taxes until the original closing date of December 2040.

"So it gives Pueblo, I think, a path forward. I'm proud to have been part of this, but there are still fights to be had. And you can't sit on your laurels because the community needs to reach out and make sure that these investments are made here," said Koncija

County leaders said the Pueblo has the opportunity to take advantage of clean energy as early as 2024.

Watch the full meeting below: