Dear LPEA members,
I’m reaching out from Pagosa Springs, where the community is recovering from the recent heavy rains. It’s been great to spend time in Archuleta County, hearing from members across our service territory and sharing some exciting updates.
Rates Stay Steady Despite Economic Pressure
I’m proud to share that LPEA members will not see a rate increase in 2026. Thanks to careful planning and smart financial management, we are shielding members from the 7.5% hike announced by Tri-State. If we had stayed in our 50-year contract, the average residential member would have paid about $9 more per month starting January. After our contract departure in April, members will see even greater savings thanks to power purchase agreements we have already locked in for reliable, affordable power through 2027.
Taking Control: Energy Decisions Stay Local
Leaving Tri-State was a pivotal step. Their rates shift with costs outside our control, leaving members exposed to unpredictable increases. By taking control of our own power supply, energy decisions stay local, allowing us to invest in wildfire mitigation, grid resilience, renewable energy programs, and other initiatives our members care about most.
Rising Costs, Smart Stewardship
Consumer prices are up across the board, and LPEA has faced higher costs for materials like transformers, wire, fuel, and insurance. Thanks to strong cooperative partnerships, including bulk purchasing through Western United, we can pass savings directly to members. Even with inflationary pressures, we are managing controllable costs, maintaining lean General & Administrative staffing, and ensuring efficiency without sacrificing service.
Investing in Reliability and Capital Projects
Major capital projects in 2026 will upgrade infrastructure, improve grid resilience, and support wildfire mitigation. Our focus on reliability means fewer and shorter outages. Even with these investments, we will continue paying out capital credits, returning dollars to the members they belong to.
Rebates and New Programs
We will continue offering energy efficiency rebates and programs, while planning new initiatives to help members save money and reduce energy use. These programs, along with emerging technologies like battery storage, demonstrate our commitment to delivering value to members every month.
Strong Financial Position and Strategic Goals
Even after our departure from Tri-State, LPEA is positioned to maintain operating costs well below 70% of Colorado cooperative peers, demonstrating our commitment to efficiency, affordability, and long-term member value.
Looking Ahead
Every decision we make, from rates to programs to workforce investments, is guided by our mission. By keeping energy decisions local, we are strengthening our communities, ensuring your power stays safe, reliable, and affordable, and creating a future where every member benefits.
As we finish out the year and head into the Holiday season, we encourage you to attend our final Board meeting of the year on December 17. Your participation is important as we continue making decisions that shape LPEA’s future.
We’re also ramping up our community outreach efforts. We invite you to join us for the Fill the Bucket Food Drive this Saturday, November 22, in partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), our labor partners. Our team will be at City Market and Natural Grocers in Pagosa Springs collecting donations for Healthy Archuleta to support local families in need. Plus, a huge thank you to those who were able to contribute during our Durango Food Drive event on Saturday, the 15th, benefiting the Durango Food Bank. This is a great way to give back during this season of gratitude.
With stability in rates, critical infrastructure upgrades, and a vision for energy independence, 2026 is shaping up to be a bright year. Thank you for being part of our cooperative.
Warm regards,
Chris Hansen
CEO, La Plata Electric Association
Resources
In addition to holding rates stable in 2026, the Board has also voted to open the member comment period for the following two proposed rate modifications:
- An update to the terms (but not the cost) of the opt-in renewable rider (R18)
- A new fee associated with power generated in our service territory for delivery outside our service territory using our transmission lines. (W70)
Review our rates and view the proposed items here, and provide written comments by December 10 and verbal comments at the December 17th Board Meeting.
Even as rates remain stable, you can explore these tips and tools for further savings!