NY -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 5/6/98 -- Standard&Poor's today assigned its preliminary single-`A'/triple-`B'-plus/ triple-`B'-plus ratings to Public Service Company of Colorado's (PSCo) $450 million Rule 415 mixed shelf, which allows for the issuance of collateral bonds, unsecured obligations, and preferred trust securities. Public Service Co. of Colorado's average business position reflects competitive rates, a healthy service territory, relatively low industrial concentration (17% of electric retail revenues), and completion of nuclear decommissioning at Fort St. Vrain. The plant is being converted in stages to a gas-fired facility. The first stage, a 130MW combustion turbine, began operation in May 1996. The Department of Energy has agreed to own the spent fuel and be responsible for its disposal, pending approval
