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Electric Co-ops and First Responders: A crucial partnership for safety

Workers demonstrate electrical safety precautions using a mannequin and high voltage equipment indoors.

An arc of electricity flashes through the air and captures the attention of first responders as they gather to watch a power line safety demonstration put on by Morgan County Rural Electric Association linemen. Mounted on a flatbed trailer, the 7,200-volt “Hotline” demonstration was designed and built by MCREA linemen to show what happens when […]

First Gear Skid School

A white utility truck on large blue rollers is parked outdoors, with a logo and text on its side door.

Teaching electric co-op crews how to stay safe on the road Orange traffic cones create a figure-eight track in a parking lot at the Adams County Fairground. It appears to be a rather standard driving school setup. But a 2007 navy blue Toyota Highlander SUV with an odd contraption hooked to the bottom sits in […]

Doing Everything in its Power to Prevent Wildfires

Burnt forest landscape with tall, charred trees under a partly cloudy sky. In the foreground, sparse yellow leaves are visible among dry branches.

How one local co-op takes care of its members before, during, and after a blaze Fire is a natural part of healthy ecosystems across Colorado, but an increase in frequency, duration, and severity over recent years has scoured the state with major wildfires. The threat of fire is significantly higher in the wildland-urban interface where […]

What’s a Smart Breaker Box?

Minimalist living room with a wooden sideboard, cream armchair, and hanging light bulbs. Decorative items include a lamp, vase, and small sculpture. A wall-mounted device labeled "SPAN" is on the left.

New developments in home electrical panels Every home has an electrical panel, otherwise known as a breaker box. The design hasn’t changed much over the years. However, through recent innovation, the smart technology–enabled electrical panel is changing the way we think about a breaker box. Smart breaker boxes, which can operate on their own or […]

Five Reasons Electric Co-ops are Great Places to Work

Collage of three people: a man in a server room, a woman working at a desk with computers, and a person in a helmet operating machinery outdoors.

Energy careers are uniquely stable and innovative The electricity in your home may seem like an impossible miracle to explain. But one way to understand it is to think about the variety of skills and job roles it takes to make that power happen. Running electric utilities takes just about every skill imaginable. Some jobs […]

Have STEM Projects, Will Travel

Trailer with "Colorado 4-H Energy Lab" branding parked in a garage next to a vehicle.

By Tadius Huser, Member Services Manager Highline Electric Association STATE PARTNERSHIP  In a partnership with the Colorado State University 4-H Extension, Colorado’s electric cooperatives sponsor the Mobile Energy Lab to inspire kids to learn about modern energy generation, energy sources, and energy efficiency practices.  Toby Swaford, K-12 4-H STEM state specialist at Colorado State University […]

Colorado Co-ops Recognized for Reaching Cybersecurity Goals

Group of people standing on stage in front of a geometric logo, with U.S. flag and state flag visible, set against a blue curtain background.

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association recognized 20 electric cooperatives at its second annual Co-op Cyber Tech Conference in May. Three Colorado electric co-ops were among the group. The co-ops met 10 cybersecurity goals under the national association’s new voluntary program that helps co-ops advance their cybersecurity posture.  In a brief ceremony in May, representatives […]

Colorado’s Ranking in Wind Energy

Wind turbines in a field at sunset with an orange and pink sky.

A recent release from Climate Central’s “WeatherPower Year in Review: 2022” reports that electricity generated from solar and wind grew 16% from 2021, with wind accounting for roughly 74% of that growth. The report also states the 683,130 gigawatt-hours generated across the country from renewable power generation resources were enough to power 64 million average […]

Turbine Recycling Advancements

Wind turbines situated on a grassy hill with a vast ocean in the background under a clear blue sky.

The wind industry is facing the growing challenge of finding ways to dispose of turbine parts. Nearly 85% of turbine components — steel, copper wire, electronics — can be reused and repurposed, according to Bloomberg Green, but there’s always been the dilemma about what to do with the difficult-to-transport and tough-to-recycle fiberglass blades. Wind turbines […]

CoBank: No Barriers Warriors Program Renewed

Man in camouflage and cap sitting in a wheelchair outdoors at sunset, resting chin on hands. "No Barriers" text in the foreground.

CoBank, a cooperative bank serving agribusinesses, rural infrastructure providers and Farm Credit associations throughout the United States, renewed its No Barriers Warriors program for rural veterans with disabilities. In partnership with Colorado-based nonprofit No Barriers USA, CoBank sponsors a series of four expeditions each year, covering the full cost of participation for up to 50 […]