About Your Local Electric Cooperative

Colorado Counties Served:
Gunnison, Hinsdale and Saguache

Year Organized
1938

Meters Served
11,799

GCEA Feature Story

Powering a Cleaner Future

Rows of solar panels are installed outdoors on a clear day, with leafless trees and utility poles visible in the background.

At GCEA, environmental stewardship isn’t just an aspiration — it’s an important part of our strategic plan. As a member-owned cooperative located in the heart of Colorado’s natural beauty, we recognize the vital role we play in protecting the environment while keeping the lights on for our community.

GCEA is committed to leading the way in sustainable energy practices. From investing in local renewable energy to promoting energy efficiency and wildfire mitigation, we strive to balance reliability and affordability with responsible resource use.

One of the ways we are working toward a cleaner future is by supporting the growth of cost-effective renewable energy. GCEA currently gets a portion of its power from local solar and hydroelectric projects, and we’re actively pursuing additional opportunities to increase that mix without any added cost to members. By the time the snow flies, GCEA will have added two more solar arrays to its local renewable energy portfolio — Oh Be Joyful Solar in Crested Butte and CR17 Solar in the Antelope Hills area of Gunnison. Our partnership with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association will help us achieve an 80% clean energy mix by 2030, helping to move us all toward a lower-carbon energy future.

We’re also empowering our members to make a difference. Through programs like our rebates and on-bill repayment, incentives for managed electric vehicle charging, and education on shifting energy use to off-peak hours, we’re helping households and businesses save money while lowering their environmental impact.

In addition, GCEA has committed to grid improvements and wildfire prevention strategies designed to protect our community and the environment. By modernizing our infrastructure, we’re not only improving system reliability but also ensuring we can better respond to the challenges of a changing climate.

Our commitment to sustainability is guided by the cooperative principles that put people — not profits — first. We believe our members deserve an energy provider that shares their values, listens to their concerns, and invests in their future. That’s why GCEA is more than just a utility. We’re your neighbors, your advocates, and your partners in building a resilient and sustainable energy future.

GCEA’s vision is to be the energy provider of choice — trusted, reliable, and forward-thinking. We know that earning that trust requires more than just delivering electricity. It means being transparent, responsible, and innovative in everything we do.

We thank you for choosing GCEA to power your possibilities. As the energy landscape evolves, there are many ways to generate, move, and deliver power. We are working hard to ensure you receive reliable, affordable, and responsible electricity today and in the future.