As the year draws to a close, we are reminded to give thanks and share our blessings with friends, family, and community. As a not-for-profit rural electric cooperative, GCEA is uniquely positioned to give back to our members in many ways.
Guided by the cooperative principle of Concern for Community, GCEA invests in local initiatives through donations and sponsorships, scholarships for students, environmental stewardship, and programs that help members save money.
Each year, GCEA’s board of directors authorizes funding from unclaimed capital credits for our Care for Education and Care for Community funds. These funds make it possible to support dozens of local nonprofit organizations, including food pantries, fire protection districts, search and rescue, emergency medical services, and community projects like rebuilding playgrounds.
We are also proud sponsors of events such as Cattlemen’s Days, the Lake City Alpine 50 Bike Race, the San Juan Solstice 50-Mile Run, the Adaptive Sports Center’s Bridges of the Butte, Living Journeys’ Hike, the Crested Butte Arts Festival, and the 4-H Junior Livestock Sale BBQ.
Through Care for Education, GCEA has awarded hundreds of scholarships to students pursuing higher education at colleges, universities, and trade schools. We also provide opportunities for young people to participate in educational trips — such as the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour and Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp near Steamboat Springs. Many students have returned from these experiences inspired to pursue careers in engineering, environmental science, political science, and communications.
Education is also key to empowering our members every day. Among other things, GCEA member support specialists answer questions about high energy use, help with billing concerns, and teach members about SmartHub, an online tool for tracking energy use. They also connect members with rebate opportunities and bill assistance programs like the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) and Energy Outreach Colorado.
When it comes to reliability, GCEA is committed to keeping the power on. We continue to invest in major projects to replace aging infrastructure and upgrade power lines, ensuring dependable service for years to come.
We are equally proud to support local renewable energy. Projects like hydropower at Taylor Dam and solar generation near Crested Butte and Gunnison are expanding local clean energy while keeping rates stable. Thanks to grants, power purchase partners, and support from PowerWise Pledge™ participants, these projects were built without increasing member rates.
At GCEA, we are proud to give back to the community that gives us so much. Thank you for your trust in us as your energy provider. We look forward to continuing to serve, support, and power all your possibilities.
