Skip to main content
  • Board Meeting Information

Home
  • About Us
  • Responsible Energy Plan
    • Renewable Energy
  • Media
    • Resources
    • Blog
    • Features
    • News
  • Cooperative Benefits
  • Operations
  • Careers
  • Search
Menu

Search form

Gunnison County Electric Installs First DCFC on Colorado National Park Land  

It’s essential that as the transition to electrical vehicles (EVs) grows, the demand for charging stations keeps pace. Today there are more than 32 electric vehicle models available in the United States and that number is expected to double by 2024. With incentives, tax credits and rebates making an EV purchase more accessible, there will be thousands of new EV drivers on the road in the coming years. 

For the EV transition to be successful, drivers must have convenient, affordable and efficient charging stations available. They need to be able to charge at home, at work, in town and along highways and interstates as they travel. With that in mind, Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA) has stepped up to meet the needs of EV drivers in their service territory.  

“Over the last two years, Gunnison County has seen a 235% increase in the number of registered EVs,” said GCEA Member Relations Supervisor, Alliy Sahagun. “Having the necessary charging infrastructure in place is key in sustaining the growth of EV purchases.” 

GCEA is located on Colorado’s Western Slope and powers more than 11,000 consumer-owners in portions of Gunnison, Hinsdale and Saguache counties. The utility realized the need for a robust charging infrastructure early and has worked hard to make it happen. To date they’ve installed 14 chargers including three direct current (DC) fast chargers. DC fast chargers deliver the quickest charge, getting most EV models to an 80% battery in about 20-30 minutes.  

DC fast charger added to GCEA’s service territory made history as the first of its kind on National Parks Service (NPS) land in Colorado.

The most recent DC fast charger added to GCEA’s service territory made history as the first of its kind on National Parks Service (NPS) land in Colorado. GCEA and NPS worked alongside EV manufacturer and automotive technology company Rivian to install a ChargePoint DC fast charger and a Rivian Waypoints Level 2 charger at the Lake Fork Campground in the Curecanti National Recreational Area.  

Both chargers are operational as of October 2022 and serve two distinct purposes. It can take up to eight hours to reach a full charge using a Level 2, which is why they’re most commonly used in residential settings where a driver can charge through the night or at the office during the workday. The Rivian Waypoints Level 2 charger will serve the same purpose, allowing overnight campers or all-day visitors to reach a full charge during their stay.  

The DC fast charger will serve visitors to the recreational area as well but will also be ideal for drivers traveling on Highway 50, the second most traveled east-west highway in the state. Lake Fork is convenient, centrally located between Montrose and Gunnison, and at the junction of Highways 50 and 92. The new stations will aid drivers traveling to multiple destinations on the Western Slope and close the 130-mile charging gap that existed before the installation. 

“We’ve been really strategic in where we place our charging infrastructure,” said Strategy Execution Specialist Matt Feier. “This station fills a critical gap on the western edge of our service territory.” Matt joined the GCEA team in 2020 to lead large renewable energy projects including expanding EV infrastructure.  

GCEA worked closely with a host of financial partners to make the Lake Fork project a reality including grant funding from the Charge Ahead Colorado Program and contributions from Tri-State, Gunnison County, Adopt a Charger, GCEA, and Rivian. GCEA provided the necessary electrical upgrades required for the station installation and the NPS provided the site location.  

When asked what’s next, Matt was pleased to say that GCEA’s efforts to expand charging opportunities have been successful in closing all charging gaps in their territory. They'll now begin work to add extra charging heads to existing stations where needed and encourage charging installations in homes and businesses. 

Tri-State Supports Charging Infrastructure Installations Across Membership 

GCEA took advantage of funds available from Tri-State, which provided almost $22,000 towards the project. “The EV Infrastructure program and our other charging equipment support offerings have enabled members to install more than 870 charging stations in their service territories and has invested nearly $1 million to expand charging infrastructure across the rural West,” said Tri-State's Beneficial Electrification Manager Matt Fitzgibbon.  

The installation is part of Tri-State’s commitment to work with members to extend the EV charging network. 

Electrify and Save™ 

About Tri-State 

Tri-State is a wholesale power supply cooperative, operating on a not-for-profit basis, with 45 members, including 42 utility electric distribution cooperative and public power district members in four states that together deliver reliable, affordable and responsible power to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West. For more information about Tri-State, visit www.tristate.coop. 

 

Contributor:

Brittany Willison 

Post Tags
EV Charging
Electric Vehicles
EVs

Blog Posts

safe power for your home gyms

How to Safely Power Your Home Workouts

Dedicating an area to a home gym is one way to get the most out of an unused garage, basement or room. Taking some basic electrical safety precautions can keep your equipment up to speed for leg day, arm day and all the activity in between. 
Kent Mahanna, MPH, CSP Senior Manager Safety & Security
Read more >
Renewable Energy Solar Camping Gadgets

The Best Solar Camping Gadgets for Summer

While you’re getting some much-needed R&R in nature, harness its power to charge your devices, and even cook your meals. Keep your experience in the great outdoors sustainable with these solar camping gadgets – plus one biomass solution. 
Matt Fitzgibbon, Beneficial Electrification Manager
Read more >
Electric generator safety tips

Important Generator Safety Tips

When electricity isn’t available, some businesses and families resort to generators to power homes, campsites, construction sites or important equipment. While these helpful machines are a lifesaver, there are important generator tips and safety precautions that must be followed.
Kent Mahanna, MPH, CSP Senior Manager Safety & Security
Read more >
top 4 electrical safety tips for kids

4 Electrical Safety Tips Every Kid Should Know

There are 4 electrical safety tips every kid should know. Can you guess what they are?
Michelle Pastor, Senior Education Program Advisor
Read more >
How to Cool Your Home Without Central Air Conditioning

How to Cool Your Home Without Central Air Conditioning

Keeping your home cool this summer doesn’t have to require a huge budget or a relocation to the Southern Hemisphere for a little more of winter. It also doesn’t have to mean large increases to your electric bill or energy use. Here we've outlined other cooling ideas for your home, which vary from room-specific solutions to whole-house AC alternatives.
Myles Jensen, Senior Manager Member Relations
Read more >
6 Energy-Saving Tips for Your Home in Summer

6 Energy-Saving Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Summer

Temperatures are on the rise, and summer is predicted to be hotter than average, according to both the National Weather Service and Old Farmer’s Almanac Guide. Here are 6 energy-saving tips you can implement to ensure your home is ready for the heat, without spending a lot of money or energy. 
Myles Jensen, Senior Manager Member Relations
Read more >
Members of Tri-State direct and support our future Rick Gordon, chair and president

Members of Tri-State direct and support our future Rick Gordon, chair and president

While each utility member has a different perspective, what these letters show is they all agree that Tri-State is on the right path - a path our utility members set themselves
Rick Gordon, Chairman of the Board
Read more >
Cooperatives Bringing Electric Vehicle Chargers to Rural Communities

Cooperatives Bringing Electric Vehicle Chargers to Rural Communities

Bringing public EV chargers to rural areas is not only a service to residents who will drive EVs (including the impressive electric pickup trucks and SUVs coming onto the market soon), but it will also be an economic necessity in the not-too-distant future.
Matt Fitzgibbon, Beneficial Electrification Manager
Read more >
17 Electrical Safety For Spring Cleaning and Summer Projects

Include Electrical Safety in Your Spring Cleaning and Summer Projects

May is Electrical Safety Month! Here are 17 important electrical safety tips for spring cleaning and summer projects around your yard and home
Kent Mahanna, MPH, CSP Senior Manager Safety & Security
Read more >

Pagination

  • First page« First
  • Previous page‹ Previous
  • …
  • Page   2
  • Page   3
  • Page   4
  • Page   5
  • Page   6
  • Page   7
  • Currently on page   8
  • Page   9
  • Page   10
  • Next pageNext ›
  • Last pageLast »

Subscribe

* indicates required
Join our mailing list for
updates and member news
 
 

Quick links

  • Leadership Team
  • Electrify and Save™ 
  • Dark Fiber
  • Financials
  • Board Meetings
  • Member Tools
  • Environmental, Social and Governance
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Employee login

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association
Office: 303-452-6111
1100 West 116th Avenue
Westminster, CO 80234

Mailing address:
PO Box 33695
Denver, CO 80233-0695

©2023 Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. Power supplier to the rural west.

  • About Us
  • Responsible Energy Plan
    • Renewable Energy
  • Media
    • Resources
    • Blog
    • Features
    • News
  • Cooperative Benefits
  • Operations
  • Careers
  • Search