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.

Co-op Youth Leadership Camp near Steamboat Colorado is a once-in-a-lifetime experience available to 75 students each summer. Students from Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma make their way to Glen Eden Resort just north of Steamboat. Over five days they make new friends, listen to top speakers and learn about the electric cooperative model while enjoying the beauty of the Rocky Mountains.