Morgan County REA has been around a long time — 88 years to be exact. The Association was organized on April 27, 1937, with plans to bring power to rural parts of Morgan County; it was just the third electric cooperative in the state of Colorado. The first 175 miles of power lines were energized one year later. Today, the co-op maintains nearly 3,000 miles of line, strung across six different counties.
Just as our power lines weave through towns and communities across northeastern Colorado, so is Morgan County REA woven through the history of this place we all call home. Just think about all that has happened since 1937 and how electricity has played a part.
Take television, for example. The first American electronic TV sets were produced commercially in the late 1930s. Since then, some of the most significant moments in history have been broadcast straight to our homes. Wars, missions to space, the Olympics, royal weddings, elections, Super Bowls — you name it. We’ve had a front row seat to anywhere in the world, thanks to TV — and the electricity that powers it.
Take a look around the rest of your home, at the refrigerator, microwave, washing machine, and air conditioner. All these things are designed to make our lives easier, thanks to electricity. And of course, we can’t forget the many gadgets and devices many of us plug in daily.
Electricity hasn’t just shaped our homes. It has played a role in entire industries, including agriculture. At Morgan County REA, irrigation makes up 20% of our overall revenue. Electric motors for irrigation pumps increase efficiency and are easier to operate than their diesel counterparts. Electricity also plays a crucial role at dairies, due to increased automation and 24/7 operation. Electricity is used to power milking machines, coolers, lighting, and more.
The oil and gas industry uses large amounts of electricity as well. It’s needed to power pumps, compressors, and in some cases even drilling rigs. The proximity and capacity of power lines to supply electricity can add challenges, especially in rural areas. However, electric co-ops including MCREA work hard to meet those needs and deliver power to the industries that require it.
Today, Morgan County REA has almost 5,000 members and serves more than 9,500 meters. I’m sure if you were to ask anyone who was at that first MCREA meeting 88 years ago, they’d be astonished to see everything that the co-op powers today. The growth that MCREA has experienced is truly incredible.
It’s a history we’re proud to be part of, and a tradition of excellence we continue to pursue. Here’s to powering our communities for many years to come — whatever the future may hold.
Dave Frick is the General Manager of Morgan County REA. Morgan County REA, a member-owned cooperative, is dedicated to serving our members by providing safe, reliable energy with a strong tradition and vision for the future.
