DENVER - The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has sided with the city of Boulder in its dispute with Xcel Energy Inc. over whether the utility should be allowed to change incentive programs for Boulder customers while the city considers launching a municipal utility.

The commission on Wednesday, June 27, ruled that it would be premature to allow Xcel Energy to change the incentive programs and limit who is eligible, which was in agreement with the city of Boulder's position. The city has said such decisions should be reached after it has decided whether or not to form a municipal utility.

"We are very pleased that Boulder customers will continue to be able to use these programs, at least in the short term," city spokeswoman Sarah Huntley said. "We know that it's not a fully settled issue."

The PUC did leave the docket open, which will allow it to continue to ask Xcel Energy and the city of Boulder questions as the city's consideration of municipalization goes forward.

Xcel Energy requested it be allowed to change the SolarRewards program to a pay-for-performance system and not use up-front payments. It also asked to be allowed to limit Boulder customers' participation in demand management programs and exclude them from new solar gardens and wind-energy programs.

Xcel Energy said its request was made with the goal of preventing its other customers from subsidizing Boulder.

"It was never Xcel Energy's intent to cut off programs, rather (to) ensure our Boulder customers continued (to have) access to these programs without non-Boulder customers paying Boulder's share," Xcel Energy spokeswoman Michelle Aguayo said in an email.