Sangre de Cristo Electric Association is working to reduce its carbon footprint without sacrificing reliability or affordability. In 2025, nearly half of the power we distributed came from renewable sources. This milestone reflects a collaborative partnership with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, future-ready planning, and a growing dedication to renewable energy.
SDCEA’s responsibility is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to homes and businesses across our territory. We are also obligated to provide renewable energy in accordance with Colorado’s clean energy requirements. The way we source this energy is through a combination of local and regional projects. We are a retail distribution cooperative; we don’t own large generation assets. Instead, through our membership with Tri-State, we work collaboratively to secure the majority of the power we deliver. This partnership gives us access to a diverse mix of hydro, wind, and solar projects being developed across the region as Tri-State works toward a 70% clean-energy goal by 2030. At the same time, SDCEA continues to procure renewable energy closer to home.
One local example I’m particularly proud of is the Trout Creek Solar facility located south of Buena Vista. This 2-megawatt project, constructed by Juwi, Inc. on 20 acres of Colorado Department of Corrections land, was designed to maximize the energy available from our sunny mountain valley environment. When you add local consumer net-metered excess generation to Trout Creek’s output, more than 4% of the power on SDCEA’s grid comes from locally produced renewable sources.
We get a lot of questions about whether renewable energy will lead to higher bills or less reliable service. The short answer is no. Our focus will always be reliable service and stable rates. In fact, renewable projects like Trout Creek Solar are selected with long-term rate stability and grid resilience in mind. As a member, you have a say in what kind of energy you support. If you’d like to support additional renewable energy beyond the default supply, SDCEA’s Green Energy program allows voluntary purchases of renewable energy credits so individual members can match more of their usage with clean resources. For members considering on-site solar, EV charging, heat pumps, or other electrification measures, we offer rebates, educational resources, and on-bill repayment options.
Responsible energy means working with Tri-State, finding local opportunities to increase renewable production, and staying focused on affordability and reliability. Responsible energy means future-proofing our grid so we can continue providing the energy services our members deserve.
By Jon Beyer, CEO
