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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 […]

Energy Efficient Windows

A person applies sealant to a window frame inside a room with a lamp and barred window.

Q:  My windows are old and drafty, and I’m thinking about replacing them. What should I consider? A: Drafty windows will affect your home’s energy efficiency. Replacing or performing thorough and regular maintenance can help. Start by identifying the type of windows you have — are they single pane or double pane? Looking closely at […]

What is “Agrivoltaics?”

Person smiling and holding a bin of harvested tomatoes while standing between rows of solar panels and plants on a farm.

Maximizing Land Use to Harvest Both Food and Electricity Doing double-duty, layering benefits, or providing twofold results — whichever it is called — taking advantage of two positive uses on one valuable piece of land makes logical and financial sense.  That is a main purpose of agrivoltaics, or the simultaneous use of land to produce […]

Teach Your Children Well

Woman bending to talk to a toddler in a kitchen with wooden cabinets and a stainless steel refrigerator.

  By Miranda Boutelle Q: I’m making an effort to reduce my energy use, and I want my kids to start energy-saving habits as well. How can I encourage them to use less electricity at home?  A: Educating kids on energy use and costs can help engage them in your family’s goal to use less […]

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 […]

Renewable Geothermal Energy Gaining Traction in Colorado

Construction site with long trench containing metal coil structures, surrounded by dirt piles. Machinery and trees visible in the background.

By Sharon Sullivan Colorado Mesa University saves $1.5 million in energy costs per year by using a heat pump geothermal exchange system installed in 2008. The system provides 80% of the university’s heating and cooling.  Geothermal energy is heat-energy from the earth that is tapped via wells drilled into underground shallow groundwater or deep thermal […]

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 […]

The Basics of Residential Solar

A worker in safety gear installs solar panels on a sloped roof under a clear sky.

By Amy Higgins The sun has powered lives since our predecessors used glass to reflect the sun’s rays and create fire. Over the centuries, the sun’s power potential was further realized, altered and adapted to its present form where solar panels can convert sunlight into electricity. Today, people across the globe are installing residential solar […]