The OCC's mission is to represent the interests of residential, small business and agricultural energy and telecommunication consumers by promoting affordable, reasonably priced, high quality, reliable service.
The Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) represents the interests of residential, small business and agricultural consumers before the Public Utilities Commission, certain federal agencies (such as the Federal Communications Commission), and in the courts on appeal. The OCC is Colorado's consumer advocate in electric, gas and telecommunications utility rate and rule making matters. The office represents consumers by participating in complex utility cases. The OCC examines the technical evidence filed by the utility, provides expert testimony on consumers' behalf, cross-examines other witnesses, makes legal arguments, and represents consumers in settlement negotiations. Approximately 40 other states have utility consumer advocate offices similar to the OCC.
The OCC is charged with representing the small consumer before the PUC, but is prohibited by statute from representing individuals in complaints with utilities. Instead, the PUC is staffed to resolve individual complaints. The OCC is interested in individual complaints when they show a pattern of rate or service problems the office believes should be addressed. The OCC has a staff of seven technical and administrative personnel as well as legal representation through the Department of Law. In addition, a statutorily authorized board appointed by the Governor gives policy guidance to the OCC. The eleven-member board is appointed to represent the public interest and, specifically, the interests of residential, small business, and agricultural utility consumers. Board members come from all geographic areas of the state.
The Office of Consumer Counsel helps consumers by lowering or eliminating utility rate increases and by ensuring that utility rates, regulations and policies are more equitable for residential, small business and agricultural consumers.
Qwest-Branded Cell Phones Will No Longer Receive Service
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As of November 1, 2009 Qwest customers who still have Qwest-branded Sprint cell phones will no longer receive service. Colorado has approximately 20 percent of Qwest-branded Sprint customers. After November 1, 2009 Qwest will only bill for and support Verizon-branded cell phones that customers contract through Qwest. Customers will still have the option to contract directly with Verizon and Sprint for cell service and those services are not affected in any way.
For more information click here to view the Qwest Wireless Transition Fact Sheet or visit Qwest's website at: http://news.qwest.com/QwestWirelessTransition
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