Whatever the future holds
we'll power it

We serve nearly 200,000 square miles of the U.S.

As a wholesale power supplier to our members, of electric utilities across rural Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming, we have a fleet of electric resources. They include natural gas, wind and solar facilities. We also own and operate nearly 6,000 miles of transmission line to move that power.

Learn how we do it

70%

of our members’ energy mix will come from clean resources in 2030. Learn about our energy mix.

1M+

homes and businesses powered in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.

50+

years in operation. Together with our members, we’ve been serving th

Robert Hurd, Hinsdale County Commissioner in Lake City, CO

We are a not-for-profit electric cooperative

As a cooperative, we don’t answer to shareholders, we answer to our neighbors. Each electric utility in our association has a locally-elected representative with a vote and seat on Tri-State’s board. We work together—from supporting each other in times of need to low-cost utility scale renewables—that’s the cooperative difference.

Our members

Supplying the West with the power they deserve

Reliable

Backed by 20 years of data, we've developed our own set of industry-leading reliability metrics to make sure we can serve members' power into the future. Tornadoes, heat waves or blizzards: we're planning for it all.

Affordable

As a not-for-profit, we work hard to keep rates affordable by investing in low-cost renewable power, participating in regional power markets to buy and sell power at the best rates, and as we build for the future.

Responsible

We are stewards of nearly 200,000 square miles, and we take that seriously. We strive to meet standards set by both the government and our members to protect ecosystems and communities.

Flexible

Tri-State is democratically governed and that's reflected in our bylaws. Members have the ability to self-supply a portion of their power by developing electric resources.

Western Watts Podcast

Learn what it takes to power the West. Our podcast dives into the heart of energy issues. From reliability to wildfire mitigation, we’re sharing firsthand insights relevant to rural, agricultural and mountain communities across our service territory.

Podcast episodes and more Podcast episodes and more

Beneficial Electrification Truck — Learn about our Electrify and Save® Program

Together, we can serve growth, reduce risks and hedge against tightening energy markets to benefit our members and the communities they serve across the West, remaining focused on the needs of all of our members as we move forward together.

Duane Highley, Tri-State CEO

Trucks on dirt road near transmission lines — We're building for the future

Hero image: Forest that was destroyed by wildfire

The Fight Beyond the Fire: A Story of Cooperative Resilience

Wildfires leave lasting scars on rural communities—something our cooperatives know all too well. During the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, Tri-State member Mora-San Miguel Electric Cooperative (MSMEC) sprang into action, exemplifying how cooperatives become vital to emergency response and recovery. Their crews, many personally affected by the devastation, worked side by side to rebuild, protect, and restore. This story highlights not only the destruction wildfires bring, but the resilience of these communities and the unwavering commitment of lineworkers, contractors, and support teams who help them rise again.

Internalized Expertise: The New Mexico Cooperative Redefining Vegetation Management Standards

Vegetation management plays a vital role in wildfire mitigation, especially across the rugged landscapes of southern New Mexico. For Tri-State member Otero County Electric Cooperative (OCEC), a pivotal moment came when they acquired both the workforce and equipment from their longtime vegetation management contractor, owned by a former Otero lineworker with deep local knowledge. This transition allowed OCEC to retain a highly skilled team, enabling the cooperative to craft a more effective, locally attuned vegetation strategy that benefits everyone.

Hero image: two lineworkers walking on trail, back facing, yellow tractor on left side. Mountains in distance

Four Feet Below: Digging Deep to Mitigate Wildfire Risk

Rather than waiting for disaster to strike, High Plains Power took decisive action—backed by years of wildfire mitigation planning in the Horse Creek area of the Wind River Ranger District. This forward-thinking initiative was made possible through close collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service and local stakeholders, combining expertise, resources, and insight. The result? A project that not only fortifies the region’s electric infrastructure but also protects the livelihoods of those who live, work, and depend on reliable power.

Tri-State's funding through the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program to advance its industry-leading energy transition.

Tri-State's Board of Directors approves 2025 budget.

Three “request for proposals” (RFPs) issued for approximately 1,500 megawatts of generation and storage through 2031.

Whatever the future holds
we'll power it

We serve nearly 200,000 square miles of the U.S.

We are a not-for-profit electric cooperative