Left in the Dark: Help Us Fight Black Hills Energy in My Dad’s Memory
️ The Story They Don’t Want You to Hear
Two years ago, on July 7th, 2023, we lost my father far too soon. He was only 53 years old when a cellulitis infection spread into his bloodstream, turning septic. It happened quickly—too quickly. We never got to say goodbye. When he died, I remember walking out of the hospital with a small bag full of his belongings. I thought I’d be walking out of there with my dad. I would still give anything to walk out with my dad.
My youngest sister had just turned 13 a month prior. She was home, alone, while my dad fought for his life the first few nights. We had no clue what was happening or how serious his illness was until I asked her if he returned home and she told me he had not. My cousin, brother, and I began obsessively calling the hospital for answers. That’s when we learned he was in the ICU. She hadn’t even graduated middle school, but she would go through the most devastating event a child could go through. He was her best friend and they spent nearly every day together.
Our other sister had just celebrated her 18th birthday 5 months earlier. My father never got to see all of his children walk across the stage to graduate high school or for college graduations, never got to give a toast at a wedding, never got to meet some of the grandchildren born after his passing. The only grandchildren he ever got to hold were mine—and I’m not even his biological child. But he loved me just the same. He was our provider, our protector, and the glue that held our broken pieces together when others walked away. He celebrated his last Father’s Day suffering through pain in silence. I wish he had told someone sooner. We miss him so deeply it hurts.
Now, two years later, I’m living in my dad’s house without power.
⚡ What Black Hills Energy Did
When my father went into the hospital, my brother tried to get the power account transferred. Black Hills Energy refused to give him any information. They didn’t tell us that we could have switched the account if our father passed away—which he tragically did soon after. Instead, they left the power on for 10 more months without payment.
They finally shut it off in April 2024—almost a year after his death. By then, the bill had grown and they claimed that because power was used, we had “benefited” from the service and were now responsible.
We sent them my dad’s death certificate and a copy of the lease showing we now lived there, but did not prior to my dad’s death. We thought by providing documentation we would avoid long-term disconnection. But they refused to budge, stating that their records show that I lived in the home since 2015, and that since power was used, we benefited from services. My brother caved in after I advised him not to take the debt, and Black Hills Energy happily reconnected us. I’m not exactly sure why, but my brother didn’t make the payments or even mention the bill to me, and Black Hills continued the service for 12 more months without a valid payment, totaling 22 months worth of debt.
No matter how many times I’ve spoken to someone, or how many documents I’ve uploaded, or complaints I’ve filed, I have been met with the same explanation: benefited from services. They should have never even pushed the original debt onto us, since it was my late father’s account. They said since my brother “accepted the debt,” the rest of us had no recourse and it must all be paid to restore service. Why they left the electricity on despite non-payment in the first place is beyond me. When I asked this question, it was explained that they “are not allowed to disconnect during very hot or very cold months for legal and moral purposes.” April nights in Colorado are still very cold, and there are many mild months within the 10 and 12 months they allowed the electricity to remain connected. Now they want my grieving family to pay over $5,000 for reconnection.
There’s no other electric provider in Pueblo, Colorado. Black Hills Energy is a monopoly. And when they feel like it, they can get away with doing something like this to families, to the elderly, to the disabled, making it difficult to survive, let alone to remain in a home. I’ve had to live in isolation, without my children, who have had to stay with family members for nearly 3 months, because a home without power in 90 degrees + weather is no place for a child to live. I miss their ruckus and laughter. I miss making them dinner and watching TV. I’m lucky if my phone has 50% battery on most days.
I won’t even mention how much it has cost to buy food and batteries during these months.
Black Hills has used every loophole to make sure we carry this weight. But I’m done carrying it alone.
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Why This Matters
We have been denied a modern day necessity, to live in a habitable space, and to even have a chance to fully grieve. My father deserved better. We deserve better.
I’ve been separated from my family, living by flashlight and candlelight, eating out of a cooler that I must fill with $3-$7 bags of ice daily. I’ve tried to stay strong, but it’s hard to keep the lights on in your soul when there are none in your house.
Black Hills Energy is legally not supposed to charge surviving family members for the debt of the deceased. But they found their way around that. And now, I’m just trying to get back what they took from us—stability, dignity, and light. If anyone should be held responsible for this incompetence, it should be Black Hills!
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What We’re Asking
We are asking for $6,000 to cover:
• $5,311+ — Utility bill tied to my deceased father’s account
• $300 — Reconnection fees and deposits
• $200 — Emergency lighting, solar-powered devices, fans or backup power until reconnection
If you’re able to donate or share, you’re not just helping pay a bill. You’re helping a family reclaim peace, stability, and justice.
I have also had a petition generated asking that the corrupt and predatory practices of Black Hills, and (I’m sure) other utility providers, be examined and changed and that an investigation be performed. I’m positive that my family is not the first to fall victim to their actions. Please, take a second to sign this petition. Your signature could really make the difference.
From the bottom of my heart—thank you.
—Anastasia Jordan
& Family
Organizer

Anastasia Jordan
Organizer
Pueblo, CO