EXHIBIT 24.1

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         WHEREAS, Public Service Company of Colorado, a Colorado corporation
(the "Company"), is about to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, a
registration statement or post-effective amendment to a registration statement
for the issuance of up to $250 million principal amount of 4.875% First
Collateral Trust Bonds, Series No. 12 due 2013 that are to be exchanged for a
like principal amount of the issued and outstanding 4.875% First Collateral
Trust Bonds, Series No. 11 due 2013 of the Company; and

         WHEREAS, each of the undersigned holds the office or offices in the
Company herein below set below his/her name, respectively.

         NOW, THEREFORE, each of the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints
GARY R. JOHNSON and RICHARD C. KELLY and each of them individually, his/her
attorney, with full power to act for him/her and in his/her name, place and
stead, to sign his/her name in the capacity or capacities set forth below to one
or more registration statements on Form S-4, or post-effective amendments to
registration statements on Form S-4 (or any other appropriate form), relating to
the issuance of up to $250 million principal amount of 4.875% First Collateral
Trust Bonds, Series No. 12 due 2013 and to any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to such registration statements, and hereby ratifies
and confirms all that said attorney may or shall lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof.



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have hereunto set their hands this
11th day of June, 2003.

/S/ WAYNE H. BRUNETTI                       /S/ RICHARD C. KELLY
---------------------------------------     ------------------------------------
Wayne H. Brunetti                           Richard C. Kelly
Chairman of the Board, President, Chief     Vice President, Chief Financial
Executive Officer and Director              Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)               (Principal Financial Officer)

/S/ GARY S. JOHNSON                         /S/ DAVID E. RIPKA
----------------------------------------    ------------------------------------
Gary S. Johnson                             David E. Ripka
Vice President, General Counsel and         Vice President and Controller
Director                                    (Principal Accounting Officer)