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Spring 2002 - Keynote Speaker
Mr. Tollefson has been Colorado Springs Utilities Director since
June, 1992. Tollefson oversees, nearly 1,800 employees, in eight departments that are
dedicated to providing three major military installations and over 400,000 citizens with
electric, gas, water and wastewater and additional products and services. Colorado Springs
Utilities is one of the largest municipal enterprises in the nation that provides all four
of these comprehensive services.
As a City Council Appointee, Tollefson is accountable for the management and operation of a $607 million dollar per year publicly owned business with over $1.9 billion in assets. He has served as an officer for numerous organizations in which Colorado Springs Utilities has ownership interests, including several mutual ditch irrigation companies, the Homestake Steering Committee and Aurora/Colorado Springs Joint Water Authority.
During Mr. Tollefson's tenure as Utilities Director, the organization has continued to strive to meet customer needs with sensitivity for its impact on the community. Colorado Springs Utilities has partnered with a national energy services company to provide more in-depth energy cost reduction services to its customers, including area military installations. Colorado Springs is one of a very few large communities that can proclaim that over one-half of its electric system lines are underground. A number of initiatives addressing environmental considerations have been implemented, including development of a xeriscape demonstration garden and educational outreach, offering wind-generated power to customers, and construction of a 28 megawatt hydroelectric power plant in conjunction with the expansion of the water treatment and delivery system. The Utilities also led the effort to designate the Colorado Springs area as a Clean City under the Department of Energy program to encourage alternative fuel vehicles and is a strong supporter of compressed natural gas vehicle programs. Colorado Springs Utilities has been a leader in programs for reuse of municipal water supplies through non-potable uses and water exchanges. Currently, the organization is conducting a feasibility study with a major company in composting of biosolids to create beneficial use retail soil amendment products.
Under Mr. Tollefson’s leadership, Colorado Springs Utilities co-founded the Allied Utility Network, a partnership of like-minded utilities, to offer additional value-added products and services regionally and nationally. This initiative and many others, combined with regionally and nationally competitive rates, have positioned Colorado Springs Utilities well for the future, as evidenced by the high competitive business position rating assigned to the organization by Standard & Poors in 1997. Under Tollefson’s strategic leadership, the organization has developed a national reputation for innovation and change in preparation for a more dynamic and competitive environment.
Tollefson has over 25 years’ experience in the utility industry in both the public and private sectors. He began his career with Colorado Springs Utilities in 1982.
Tollefson has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Kansas and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Colorado. He serves as a Director on the Board of the Greater Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation. He also holds memberships in numerous professional associations, including the American Water Works Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Public Power Association, Midwest Gas Association, and Rocky Mountain Electrical League.
