This past year, I’ve met with members in coffee shops and hardware stores, at kitchen tables and construction sites, walking trails and grocery store aisles, in small businesses, barns, libraries, granges and along fence lines. In every conversation, what mattered most wasn’t power lines or contracts; it was control, trust and keeping more of our energy dollars working here at home.
In March 2024, our board took a once-in-a-generation step, deciding to leave our wholesale contract with Tri-State so that energy decisions could be made locally. Now, months before we fully realize the benefits of that transition and our journey toward energy independence is complete, the decision is already paying off. Tri-State has announced a 7.5% rate increase for 2026. LPEA members will avoid that increase, saving the average household about $9 per month, real money staying in local pockets, not flowing out of the region.
This is also the last time our board will need to consider whether to pass through Tri-State’s Class A costs to members. From now on, energy decisions are made by people who live here, work here and answer to you. That means more than stable rates; it means we get to decide what to invest in, what to protect and how to shape our energy future for the community.
Even as materials, tariffs, fuel and insurance costs rise, careful planning and efficiency keep members’ electric costs well below 70% of Colorado cooperative peers. Bulk purchasing, lean staffing and disciplined management ensure we deliver value directly to members.
We are putting these savings to work locally. In 2026, major capital projects will strengthen infrastructure, improve grid resilience and support wildfire and weather preparedness. Members can expect fewer outages and continued excellent restoration times, reflecting our ongoing investments in grid reliability. At the same time, we will continue returning capital credits – money going directly back to members as they should.
Targeted programs that help members save energy and money, like energy efficiency rebates, electrification initiatives and battery storage, will continue to grow. These investments not only reduce bills but also keep more energy and resources under local control, supporting the community’s economy and resilience.
Local control isn’t just about choosing where our power comes from; it’s about choosing where the benefits go and making sure they stay right here. It means more decisions made around kitchen tables, not conference tables in Denver. It means keeping more of your energy money working for the places we live, work, farm, build and raise our families.
That’s what this moment represents. Leaving Tri-State wasn’t just a contract decision. It was a community decision. And now, we’re starting to see the payoff: stable bills, stronger reliability, smarter investments and more control over our energy future.
As we move into 2026, that will continue to be our focus: protect affordability, invest in resilience and build a smarter, more reliable, locally driven energy system that reflects the values of the people it serves.
That will always be the cooperative difference.
And it’s starting to show.
Chris Hansen is CEO of La Plata Electric Association.
