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Colorado Country Life

 

Catch up on all of the latest news in the electric industry, energy saving tips, local happenings, recipes, contests, the outdoors and more. 

Read Colorado Country Life Online

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February 2025

New Program Simplifies Electric Bills

San Isabel Electric’s new Budget Billing Program can make electric bills more predictable and even out payments. 

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover
April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

Understanding Payment Options

We offer diverse payment options to making paying your electric bill easy and convenient for your lifestyle. 

Stay in Touch: Don't miss your capital credit check

Every year, San Isabel Electric sends capital credit checks, or refund checks back to you. The checks represent your share of leftover money that wasn’t used for running the business. These checks may continue to be mailed many years after credits are earned. So, it’s important we always have your current mailing address.

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover
April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

Powering Community: Unclaimed Capital Credits at Work

SIEA’s Board of Directors returned more than $100,000 to member owners through community donations and sponsorships, helping fund animal welfare, education, public safety projects and more!

January 2025

Record Snowfall Highlights Success of Grid Upgrades

Only a small number of SIEA members experienced brief outages during the November 2024 record snowfall. Learn about what the co-op is doing differently since the last record storm. 

Wind swept snow in front of mountains
April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

Energy Gap: Renewable Paired with Batteries

Since October, we’ve been discussing coal alternatives that could help bridge the energy gap. This month, we’re focusing on renewables — specifically wind and solar — paired with batteries.

When Breakfast is More Than Just a Meal

Oatmeal helped SIEA employees and board members team up for a record-breaking effort to fight hunger.

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

December 2024

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

ADDING SMALL STONES TO A SCALE - 2025 Rate Adjustment

San Isabel Electric’s General Manager explains San Isabel Electric’s strategic approach to balance the cost of electricity for you and the cost to provide electricity. 

The Brendon Beach Memorial Scholarshp

San Isabel Electric has a new lineworker scholarship to cover lineschool and related expenses. 

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover
April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

Geothermal’s role in achieving 100% carbon-free energy - The Energy Gap

In or second part of the Energy Gap series, we explore how geothermal is one of the most reliable, efficient, and cleanest energy sources available.

November 2024

Closing the Energy Gap: Natural Gas

Natural gas has lower emissions than coal-generated power, and is generally affordable due to its abundance and more efficient ways of producing energy from shale formations. However, reliance is declining due to greenhouse gas emissions regulation, which could negatively impact the economy — especially in southern Colorado.

Natural Gas Fuel Oil Combined Cycle Power Plant, Fort Lupton, CO
April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

NEW DAYCARE Serves to Retain and Attract La Veta Teachers

“It’s no wonder more districts don’t try this. It takes tremendous dedication to see it through.” Read a story about a local school district superintendent whose creative thinking saved jobs and may attract more to the area. 

October 2024

Weighing the pros and cons of closing the energy gap

Colorado’s declared target of reaching 100% clean energy generation by 2040 is a lofty goal. But what is the cost and reality of achieving it? What are the consequences of getting close, but not all the way?

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover
April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

ELECTRIFICATION OPTIMIZATION

A La Veta couple has optimized their energy bills by utilizing San Isabel Electric’s Empower program to update outdated wiring, convert from propane to electric heating, add an electric vehicle charger, and more. 

Refund Alert! Capital Credit checks are in the mail

Did you get a capital credit refund check in September? Click the button below to learn more about this cool co-op perk.

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

BRINGING A SENSE OF HUMOR TO SERIOUS WORK

The Trinidad linecrew has long been the closest of San Isabel Electric’s three line teams; coworkers credit recently retired Anthony Ortega for fostering that bond.

September 2024

San Isabel Electric Annual Report

The 2024 Annual Report highlights some of San Isabel Electric’s key achievements, financial performance, and strategic initiatives over the past year. Click the button below to gain insight about growth in the area, operational efficiency, and future goals.

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

August 2024

Shut Offs are not part of SIEA's Fire Mitigation Strategy

In 2020, SIEA rolled out a comprehensive fire mitigation program designed to address fire risks. The plan does not include pre-emptive power outages. 

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover
April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

San Isabel Electric's Innovative Mobile Substation

There is a superhero hidden in the shadows of SIEA’s warehouse. Nicknamed after the fictional cartoon franchise Transformers, Mega Watt is the silent guardian, always ready to roll out into action and keep the power flowering. 

New Tree Scanning Software Will Help Reduce Outages, Costs, and Fire Risks

SIEA is the first electric cooperative in Colorado to be using new vegetation management software that uses AI, Lidar, and digital maps to monitor vegetation growth near powerlines. 

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

July 2024

Changing Faces At SIEA

Five San Isabel Electric employees have retired in 2024, and more are expected by year’s end. Our commitment to safety and family has helped us attract and retain top talent.

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover
April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

Adapting to Retirement: A New Chapter for a Champion of Safety

Royce Anderson, San Isabel Electric’s Safety and Compliance Manager, is retiring. His career has significantly and positively impacted the company’s members by reducing outages, maintaining low rates, and improving community services.

EDDIE SMITH RETIRES AFTER 28 YEARS WITH SIEA

 Second generation San Isabel Electric employee Eddie Smith reflects on his career at San Isabel Electric. “I want to do it all. I want to finish what I’ve started.”

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover
April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

Truck driving school announces Walsenburg location after SIEA gifts land

A truck driving school has plans to open a second location in Walsenburg after San Isabel Electric gifts land to Huerfano County Government.

June 2024

Energy Scams Unmasked

Learn about the latest lines of attack scammers are using to target San Isabel Electric member-owners.

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover
April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

A feast for the eyes: local potters commissioned to create SIEA annual meeting bowls

How do you top last year’s annual meeting gift of mugs handcrafted by three local potters? We asked the same three potters that made last year’s mugs to make bowls to give away at the 2024 annual meeting. 

PARTNERSHIP WITH PRIMERO SCHOOL DISTRICT RESULTS IN NEW GRID RESILIENCY PILOT PROGRAM

A new pilot project is helping San Isabel Electric meet increased electricity demand while saving the electric co-op and the member-owner money!

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover
April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

SIEA Wishes Shauna Vucetich a Happy Retirement

One of the people with the best laughs in the office has retired after a 12-year career at San Isabel Electric. Shauna Vucetich has a plan on how to relax, recharge, and stay engaged in retirement.

May 2024

Scholarship Program Celebrates Unprecedented Success

SIEA’s board selected 39 students to receive $1,000 scholarships, surpassing previous records of number of scholarships awarded and total dollar amount awarded.

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover
April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

Chill Out and Cash In

The hotter it gets, the harder the A/C has to work to keep you cool. Check out our list of 6 ways to save on your summer electric bill.

Beware of Phony Utility Scams

Scammers are now using search engines, like Google, to try and trick you into clicking malicious ads that look like billing portals. Follow these tips to avoid fake utility and search engine ad scams.

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover
April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

SIEA Board Recognized for Leadership Certification

All seven members of SIEA’s Board of Directors have earned their National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Board Leadership Certificates (BLC). In 2023, San Isabel Electric was the only Colorado electric cooperative that had earned this achievement.

April 2024

The Power Behind Your Power

Behind every lineworker there is a family supporting then. Sadie Beach, wife of San Isabel Electric Journeyman Lineman Brendon Beach, shares insights about the families behind lineworkers. Sadly, her husband passed away in a car accident, after a morning of skiing, just a week after she completed the article. Cover photos courtesy of Sadie Beach. Click the link to read her story on page 7, and learn how you can help their family recover from this tragedy.

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover
April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

Thank a Lineworker Coloring Sheet

April is Lineworker Appreciation Month! To thank a lineworker for their hardwork and sacrifice, please color this page and return it to a local San Isabel Electric office near you. Pages will be displayed for lineworkers to see.

March 2024

Solar's Role in Power

Solar is an affordable part of our energy mix. But, it cannot be relied upon during extremes unless grid advancements are made. 

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover
April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

How to Optimize Your Investment in Solar Energy

While PV systems are very durable and virtually maintenance free, there is always a better way to use them to their best potential. Here is a basic list of best practices and ways to take full advantage of your solar investment.

High Voltage Future

San Isabel Electric’s Apprenticeship program lights a way for future utility workers. 

April 2024 Colorado Country Life magazine cover

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