November has a way of reminding us to slow down and think about what we are thankful for. Here at Southeast Colorado Power Association, there is a lot to be grateful for, but at the top of that list are the people we serve.
SECPA is more than an electric utility. We are a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative, which means the people receiving electricity from us are also the people who own the cooperative. We don’t answer to outside shareholders. We answer to you.
That relationship is something we value and never want to take for granted.
Our employees live and work in the same communities we serve. We see our members at the grocery store, at school activities, at community events, and everywhere in between. When storms cause outages or other challenges arise, we aren’t simply restoring power to customers — we are working to restore power to our friends and neighbors.
I am thankful for the trust our members place in SECPA. I also appreciate your patience and understanding when outages occur or when our crews are working on improvements throughout our system. Providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity across a large, rural service territory comes with challenges, but our commitment to you remains the same.
I am also grateful for our employees and Board of Directors who work throughout the year on behalf of our membership. It takes many people, working together, to keep your cooperative strong and prepared for the future.
November 11 is Veterans Day and a time to recognize some very special members of our communities — our veterans.
Veterans Day gives us an opportunity to thank the men and women who answered the call to serve our country. Here in southeast Colorado, veterans are our family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and fellow cooperative members.
Their service reminds us that many of the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy came through the commitment and sacrifice of others.
Service, sacrifice, and looking out for your neighbors are values we understand well in rural Colorado. They are also values that have been at the heart of the cooperative movement from the beginning.
Thank you to every veteran in the communities we serve. Thank you for answering the call to serve, for the sacrifices you made, and for the example you continue to set. Thank you to the families who supported you during your service.
One of the things I value most about southeast Colorado is our strong sense of community. When someone needs help, people show up. When difficult times come, neighbors help neighbors. It’s simply part of who we are.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I hope we all take a little time to appreciate what we have, the people around us, and the communities we are fortunate to call home.
On behalf of everyone at Southeast Colorado Power Association, thank you for your membership, your trust, and the opportunity to serve you.
By Mark Hall, CEO
