October 21, 2019

Tri-State exists to serve our members and communities, and I can’t think of a better time to celebrate those community connections than during National Co-op Month in October.

We got to hear from Tim Lindahl with Wheat Belt Public Power District earlier this month about the benefits of public power systems, and how, like co-ops, they’re not motivated by profit, but by supporting the vitality of their communities.

Electric cooperatives account for more than one-third of the U.S. electric utility industry, serving 42 million co-op consumers in 48 states. For Tri-State, our focus is on empowering our member cooperatives to serve their communities. We are proud to provide reliable, affordable and responsible power to our 43 members, which in turn power 1.3 million people.

I often get to visit our members during times of community gatherings, like their annual meetings, and it always impresses me how each unique personal connection builds into this network of neighbors helping neighbors, reinforcing how we can all accomplish so much more when we work together.

Supporting Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico  and Wyoming members
Each cooperative contributes to the community. Nationwide, cooperatives provide more than 2.1 million jobs and generate $650 billion in revenue. Anyone in a co-op knows that we provide more than the operational benefits. At Tri-State, we strive to contribute in the most impactful way possible – through the people who know their communities the best.

A few examples

• Our Matching Gifts funding exemplifies how we enable Tri-State employees to decide what charities need funding, while matching their contributions. In 2018, contributions totaling more than $90,000 helped charities local to where Tri-State employees live and work.
• Our board members direct charity funding to help their communities. Read here how board member Gary Fuchser used this opportunity to help purchase life-saving equipment for his local emergency responders.
• We proudly support and collaborate with our members, who also serve their neighbors through efforts ranging from scholarships and community grants to shoe and toy drives.

I’m proud to work for a co-op, and especially proud of the difference our members and employees make in their communities every day.