2025 was an exciting year at Sangre de Cristo Electric Association. I took the helm as CEO and, alongside my team, jumped right into working to make our system future-ready. Importantly, the changing landscape of wholesale power pricing required a restructuring of the cooperative’s rates. Doing so allowed us to begin to explore enhanced program offerings and support forward-thinking projects that will make your power safer and more reliable.
The best part of the year, by far, was getting to meet our members. I had the opportunity to learn a lot about what makes our co-op and community unique and to gain a deeper understanding of SDCEA member needs. I’m looking forward to carrying this community-driven momentum into 2026. Here are a few highlights from my first year as CEO.
MEMBER-FIRST MENTALITY
In 2025, SDCEA renewed our focus on transparency and communication with our members. We’ve held town halls, organized rate workshops, enhanced our rate education resources, hosted community events, participated in the Chaffee County Economic Development organization, held one-on-one member meetings, and published Colorado Country Life articles that detail our costs, challenges, and what goes into providing you with safe, reliable power. Our members were at the center of everything we did in 2025. I hope to get a chance to meet more in 2026.
COMMITMENT TO AFFORDABLE RATES
One of our top priorities as a member-owned cooperative is to provide affordable power. This challenge has never been greater. Widespread cost increases across the industry span everything from fuel, to wood poles, to steel in our transformers. We know rate increases impact you and your family, which is why we put years of research and consultation into creating a new rate restructure, set to go into effect July 1, 2026. While we can’t promise rates won’t ever change again, we can assure you that we put a tremendous amount of care into every rate adjustment. Every cent is analyzed by third-party consultants, staff, and directors before it appears on your bill.
NEW ENERGY PROGRAMS
Another way to keep energy affordable is to use power when the wholesale prices are the most favorable. Over the last year, we’ve developed three new programs to help you power your homes reliably, efficiently, and cost-effectively. These programs include a water heater controller pilot program, a managed electric vehicle charging pilot program, and a residential battery pilot program. These innovative programs are just beginning. We are continually developing new programs that bridge our rate structures with energy efficiency, smart energy use, and beneficial electrification opportunities for our members.
INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEM INVESTMENT
Integrating advanced technology into our infrastructure is how we will be able to keep your power reliable into the future. One innovative investment that we are actively exploring is a utility-scale battery at the Buena Vista Substation. The battery could help discharge and shave overall system demand, reduce charges in wholesale power during peak demand times, and support system backup during outages or maintenance periods.
BUILDING A RESILIENT SYSTEM FOR A RELIABLE FUTURE
The winter starting in 2025 was one of the driest on record, which means wildfire mitigation has never been more critical. We continue to prioritize our vegetation management program, which is vital to keeping members safe and protecting our community, lands, and water. Additionally, the work to rebuild the 19-mile Tommy Young line, from Cotopaxi north to Verdemont Road in Custer County, continues. This work is part of a long-term project to provide improved reliability in the area.
While the highlight of 2025 was getting to know you, we also achieved significant milestones for supporting your livelihood through safe, reliable power. 2026 will be about further enhancing your member experience. Do you have questions? A memorable story from 2025? I want to hear from you. Join us at the annual meeting on June 24 in Westcliffe to share your voice with me and the rest of SDCEA’s team.
Jon Beyer is the CEO of Sangre de Cristo Electric Association, a electric distribution cooperative based in Buena Vista, Colorado.
