Standard&Poor's Ratings Services has assigned its 'AA' rating to City of Colorado Springs, Colo.'s utilities system revenue bonds series 2012B. At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'AA', 'AA/A-1+', and 'AA/A-1' ratings on the utilities' parity debt outstanding. The outlook is stable. A pledge of net revenues of Colorado Springs Utilities' (CSU) electric, gas, water, wastewater, and streetlight systems secures the bonds. Bond proceeds will refund debt outstanding. Including these bonds, debt will total about $2.3 billion. The 'AA' rating reflects what we consider to be the following credit strengths: The city council's willingness to set rates that provide generally strong debt service coverage (DSC) and good liquidity; Competitive rates in each of its four utility
