In March, Mountain Parks Electric (MPE) signed a Franchise Agreement with the Town of Fraser. The agreement authorizes MPE to perform construction and maintenance of electric service within Fraser’s town limits. The agreement helps MPE continue to provide reliable electric service to Fraser residents.
In exchange for this authorization, some towns choose to adopt a franchise fee. That’s what the Town of Fraser did: It adopted a 2% franchise fee for all electric service provided within the town limits. This fee went into effect on November 1 (which Fraser consumers are seeing for the first time on their December bills). The fee is a “pass-through” charge. MPE collects this 2% electric bill surcharge from consumers living within the town’s limits and sends the money directly to Fraser.
This fee is not unique to Fraser. Similar franchise fees are charged by Granby, Grand Lake, Hot Sulphur, Kremmling and Walden. Each town board determines how to use franchise fee funds. For more information regarding how Fraser will use its funds, stop by Town Hall at 153 Fraser Ave, call the Town at 970-726-5491, or email the Town Clerk at amcveigh@town.fraser.co.us.