Skip to main content
Home
  • About Us
    • Annual Report
  • Powering the Future
    • Our Energy Mix
  • Electrify and Save®
    • On-Bill Repayment
    • Programs
    • Quality Install
  • Media
    • Resources
    • Blog
    • Features
    • News
    • Newsletter
    • Podcast
  • Cooperative Benefits
  • Operations
  • Search
Menu

Search form

navajo

Six Tri-State members among utilities helping bring power to the Navajo Nation

It’s hard to imagine, but there are more than 13,000 of the approximately 56,000 homes - or 23% - on the Navajo Nation in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah that do not have electricity.

In 2019, Light Up Navajo, an initiative of the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) and the American Public Power Association, started bringing life-changing power to these U.S. citizens who have lived decades in darkness. 

The project involves electric utilities from across the country working together under the supervision of NTUA and with NTUA electric crews, in the rugged and expansive terrain of the Navajo Nation, which makes infrastructure development difficult and expensive. It is a challenge well-suited to the expertise and experience of rural electric cooperatives.

During this year’s construction season (April-July 2024), 48 utilities - including 16 electric cooperatives from five states - helped extend power to 170 homes on the Navajo Nation. Six of those electric cooperatives are Tri-State members:

  • Columbus Electric Cooperative (Deming, N.M.)
  • Gunnison County Electric Association (Gunnison, Colo.)
  • Mountain Parks Electric (Granby, Colo.)
  • Mountain View Electric Association (Limon, Colo.)
  • Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association (Fort Collins, Colo.)
  • Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (Buena Vista, Colo.)

“Light Up Navajo began as a mutual aid initiative that has one purpose and that is to electrify homes here on the Navajo Nation for the very first time,” said Deenise Becenti, NTUA government and public affairs manager. “Rural co-ops are now part of the picture, and this has been an incredible blessing because now we have more teams here on the Navajo Nation who are working collectively together for one purpose, and that is to positively and dramatically change the lives of families living without electricity. Families have waited anywhere from a few years to as many as 30 years for electricity.”

The utility serves, on average, about five customers per mile, but the Light Up Navajo homes are among the hardest to reach. Without volunteer help, NTUA estimates that it would take another 30 years to bring power to every home at a cost of about $40,000 each to obtain federal and tribal permits, erect poles and string lines for miles to connect isolated properties scattered throughout the reservation.

Tri-State member Mountain View Electric Association (MVEA) spent two days bringing power to one family. (Source: MVEA)

“What a meaningful experience for the MVEA employees and myself to be a part of,” said MVEA CEO Ruth Marks. “It was incredibly fulfilling to see the impact that providing a life-changing service such as electricity can have on a family. We’ve enjoyed lighting, refrigeration, heating, cooling, and entertainment options our whole lives and MVEA is proud to have played a small role in bringing these opportunities to others. We’ve been able to share this experience with the MVEA team back home in Colorado as an example of why the work we do matters in our community. Light Up Navajo is definitely a great example of the cooperative spirit at work.”

Electricity will allow Sheila Brown and her fiancé to put in an electric pump to bring water up from a well, meaning they will no longer have to drive five miles through the rugged terrain every two to three days to fill up plastic containers with water.

Brown said she is looking forward to cooking on an electric stove, and stocking a refrigerator with fresh meat and produce, instead of eating canned meat or having to make frequent trips to the grocery store 50 miles away. The family has had limited power through a solar panel, but not enough to keep a refrigerator running 24 hours a day.

“Now we can enjoy the luxury of fresh meat and fresh food,” Brown told RE Magazine. “Our lives will be so much better.”

Contributor:

Melanie Culver

 

 

 

 

 

Blog Posts

Beat the Chill: Effective Insulation Strategies for Winter Comfort

Beat the Chill: Effective Insulation Strategies for Winter Comfort

For those living in older homes, it's common to experience uncomfortable drafts, chilly winters, and higher utility bills compared to newer homes. But here's the good news: improving your home's insulation can help you stay warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and save money in the long run.  Here are some effective insulation strategies for a more comfortable and energy-efficient winter. 
Read more >
Energy Efficient Heating Options for Rural Communities

Energy Efficient Heating Options for Rural Communities in the West

As winter approaches, rural communities in the West face the on-going challenge of keeping their homes warm while managing energy costs. With big temperature swings, it's helpful for families to explore energy-efficient heating options that suit this unique climate. Here’s our favorite tips to get the most out of your current heating system
Peter Rusin, Member Relations Manager
Read more >
Energy Efficient Tips for Outdoor Fall Entertaining

Energy Efficient Tips for Outdoor Fall Entertaining

Summer may get more attention when it comes to outdoor get-togethers but with an autumn party, you can trade the mosquitoes, thunderstorms, and hot nights for crisp evenings and changing leaves. The cooling temperatures also mean a chance to optimize your energy use, reduce your bill and save some money heading into winter.
Peter Rusin, Member Relations Manager
Read more >
How to boost your business with EV charging, attract new clients, increase your sustainability efforts and add a new revenue stream.

Boost Your Business with EV Charging

A lack of EV chargers presents a problem for drivers but an opportunity for local business owners. If you're a business owner, here’s how you can boost your business with EV charging to attract new clients, increase your sustainability efforts and add a new revenue stream.
Mike Frailey, Relationship Manager 
Read more >
Benefits of Having Your Own EV Charger at Home

The Benefits of Having Your Own EV Charger at Home

One of the most recognizable shifts is the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). As the world embraces EVs, the need for accessible charging infrastructure has grown exponentially. While public charging stations are expanding, there's something uniquely advantageous about having your own EV charger at home. 
Mike Frailey, Relationship Manager 
Read more >
Geothermal Heat Pumps: Harnessing Earth's Energy for Your Business 

Geothermal Heat Pumps: Harnessing Earth's Energy for Your Business 

With April being National Geothermal Month, it’s a perfect time to delve into the process of installing GHPs, their benefits, what climates are the most suitable and how businesses can take advantage of rebates to offset costs while contributing to a greener future. 
Peter Rusin, Member Relations Manager
Read more >
Mastering Energy Efficiency With These Home Upgrades 

Mastering Energy Efficiency with These Home Upgrades 

Power management matters to two kinds of people: those who pay utility bills and environmentally conscious individuals. If you fall into one, or hopefully both, of those categories, here are a few tips for mastering energy efficiency with some home upgrades.  
Peter Rusin, Member Relations Manager
Read more >
Winter Comfort Tips: Transform Your Home into an Energy-Efficient Oasis

Winter Comfort Tips: Transform Your Home into an Energy-Efficient Oasis

There’s nothing better than enjoying creature comforts during the winter chill. Staying warm is a big part of that, but it comes at a price if your home isn't optimized for cold weather. This winter, consider some smart ways to conserve energy, save money, and transform your home into an energy-efficient oasis with these helpful tips
Peter Rusin, Member Relations Manager
Read more >
Winter Destinations in Colorado Promoting Energy Efficiency

5 Winter Destinations in Colorado Promoting Energy Efficiency

These five mountain towns in Colorado not only offer thrilling winter adventures but also take a pioneering stance in energy efficiency.
Read more >

Pagination

  • Currently on page   1
  • Page   2
  • Page   3
  • Page   4
  • Page   5
  • Page   6
  • Page   7
  • Page   8
  • Page   9
  • …
  • Next pageNext ›
  • Last pageLast »

Subscribe

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

Quick links

  • Leadership Team
  • Dark Fiber
  • Financials
  • Board Meetings
  • Member Tools
  • The Cooperative Difference
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Careers
  • 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

©2025 Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. Power supplier to the rural west.

  • About Us
    • Annual Report
  • Powering the Future
    • Our Energy Mix
  • Electrify and Save®
    • On-Bill Repayment
    • Programs
    • Quality Install
  • Media
    • Resources
    • Blog
    • Features
    • News
    • Newsletter
    • Podcast
  • Cooperative Benefits
  • Operations
  • Search