A Comprehensive Guide to Paying Your Colorado Springs Utilities Bill

Living in Colorado Springs? Then you’re likely a customer of Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) for essential services like electricity, natural gas, water, and wastewater management. As the sole provider for these utilities in the area, it’s important to understand your CSU bill and know all the ways to pay it conveniently and on time. This guide will walk through creating an online account, reading your utility bill, setting up automatic payments, payment options, and tips for avoiding late fees.

Creating a CSU Online Account

The first step is creating an online account on the CSU website This allows you to easily view and manage payments 24/7 Here’s how to set it up

• Go to CSU website and click “Sign In”
• Click “Create New Account” under the login box.
• Enter your account number and other details to verify identity.
• Create username and password.
• Agree to the terms and submit registration.

Once registered, you can log in anytime to view bill history, make one-time payments, set up autopay, and manage account settings. This online access makes paying your CSU bill much simpler.

Understanding Your CSU Bill

Your CSU bill provides a summary of the various utility services and associated charges each month. Key sections include:

• Account summary – Lists account number, service address, billing date, due date, and total amount due.

• Payment stub – Detachable portion to submit with mailed payments

• Meter readings – Usage in units for each service since last bill.

• Consumption history – Chart of usage for the past 13 months.

• Message center – Important notices and alerts from CSU.

• Breakdown of charges – Itemized list of rates and fees for each utility service.

• Payment options – Ways to pay like online, by phone, auto pay, mail, or in person.

Carefully reviewing the details each month helps you monitor utility usage and charges over time. Contact CSU with any bill questions.

Setting Up Automatic Payments

For convenient, worry-free payments, signup for automatic monthly withdrawals from your bank account. Here’s how:

• In your CSU online account, select “My Bill” then “Pay My Bill”.

• Choose “Sign up for AutoPay” and enter bank account information.

• Pick the date each month for withdrawal.

• Agree to the terms and submit.

That’s it! CSU will now automatically pull your monthly bill amount on the same date. You’ll receive an email confirmation before each payment.

To cancel or change auto pay details, just access your account settings. Managing autopay online is quick and easy.

CSU Payment Options Overview

CSU offers multiple payment options to provide flexibility:

• Online – Pay by e-check or credit/debit card in your CSU account.

• Phone – Call 719-668-4700 to pay by credit/debit card or e-check.

• Mail – Send check or money order with payment stub to CSU.

• In person – Pay by cash, check, or money order at two CSU Customer Service Centers.

• AutoPay – Set up monthly auto withdrawal from bank account.

• Budget Billing – Pay average amount monthly to avoid seasonal spikes.

• Outage Pay – Schedule one-time payment if service is disconnected.

Choose the most convenient methods for you. Many customers love the simplicity of monthly autopay.

Avoid Late Fees and Disconnection

CSU bills are due 21 days after the statement date. If not paid on time, a 1.5% late fee applies. Here are some tips to avoid late fees:

• Mark your bill due date on your calendar each month.
• Set payment reminders a few days before the due date.
• Enroll in autopay to ensure on-time payment.
• Pay early if going out of town near the due date.
• Contact CSU immediately if you anticipate difficulty paying on time.

If a bill remains unpaid for two consecutive months, CSU may disconnect service. Reconnection fees then apply to resume service. Avoid disconnection by paying on time or setting up a payment plan if hardship arises.

Financial Assistance Programs

If you’re struggling to pay your CSU bill consistently, check if you qualify for a financial assistance program:

• Payment Plans – Arrange installment payments for past-due balances.

• LIRA – Provides bill discounts for qualifying low-income customers.

• LEAP – Helps cover home heating costs in winter.

• Project COPE – Short-term assistance for emergency situations.

These programs provide relief based on financial need. Apply through CSU to see if you meet eligibility guidelines.

Tips for Managing CSU Bills

Follow these tips for hassle-free CSU bill management:

• Provide updated contact information so you receive bills and notices.

• Check that your mailing address is correct if receiving paper bills.

• Go paperless by opting into e-bills only.

• Monitor your consumption history to spot unusual spikes.

• Compare rates across seasons to budget accordingly.

• Check for billing errors that cause incorrect charges.

• Learn about CSU energy efficiency rebates to lower costs.

Staying informed helps avoid surprise bills and ensures you pay the correct amount each month.

Switching Service On or Off

If you’re moving in or out of a Colorado Springs residence, you’ll need to initiate or cancel CSU services accordingly:

• Start service – Contact CSU at least 3 days before your move-in date to activate service. A deposit may be required.

• Stop service – Notify CSU at least 3 days before you move out to schedule final meter readings and discontinue billing.

• Seasonal service – You can temporarily suspend service if vacating a residence for an extended time.

Coordinating service changes with CSU ensures no disruption and bills only the amount you actually use.

Contacting CSU with Questions

Don’t hesitate to contact CSU’s customer service team with any utility bill questions or issues:

• Call 719-448-4800 during business hours for billing inquiries.

• Email billing support team for complex account issues.

• Initiate online chat during business hours for quick questions.

• Visit a CSU office in person for in-depth assistance.

The CSU website also has extensive resources in the frequently asked questions section. Reach out by your preferred contact method for prompt and friendly assistance.

Key Takeaways on Paying Your CSU Bill

Managing utility bills in Colorado Springs doesn’t have to be a hassle. Follow this guide to:

• Create an online CSU account to easily view and pay bills.

• Understand your monthly charges and monitor usage trends.

• Setup automatic payment for on-time convenience.

• Choose from various payment channels like online, phone, mail, or in person.

• Avoid late fees and service interruption with proactive payment.

• Ask about financial assistance if facing hardship.

With a few simple steps, you can take control of your CSU utility payments. Reach out to CSU representatives anytime you need assistance or have questions about your bill!