As many of you are aware, our electric co-op recently broke up with Tri-State Power. Even including the cost of separation (Contract Termination Payment, or CTP) and the additional transmission cost, the cheaper power LPEA is able to source will result in savings of $5 million to our members just this year.
We weren’t the first Tri-State co-op to make this decision, and we are definitely not the last. Three other boards recently decided to exit Tri-State – PREMA, Roosevelt Public Power, and Chimney Rock Public Power – after September 2025, when Tri-State announced an overall wholesale price increase of 7.5% for 2026, along with word that “rate hikes up to or in excess of 30% can be expected over the next five years.” More information is available at https://bit.ly/4cbuCIV.
I learned details of LPEA’s savings in a presentation by LPEA CEO Chris Hansen and head engineer Dan Harms, and the information is publicly available. LPEA had every reason to leave Tri-State.
Two board members are up for reelection: David Luschen, District 4 (North/East La Plata County), and Nicole Pitcher, board president, District 1 (Archuleta County). They worked to make this great stride forward possible and will continue to push for responsible business decisions if reelected. Jenn Jenkins, District 2 (city of Durango), if elected, will join the effort.
As a former LPEA board member, I ask you to please remember to vote. LPEA elections have a considerably low turnout, and your vote counts.
Heather Erb
Durango
