Brighton, CO – Four of Colorado’s leading public power and distribution cooperative utilities — Colorado Springs Utilities (Springs Utilities), CORE Electric Cooperative (CORE), Platte River Power Authority and United Power — are joining forces to explore an innovative transmission solution that will better serve their member-customers. This collaboration aims to reduce electric transmission congestion, enhance system reliability and expand access to renewable energy sources, all while supporting the State of Colorado’s ambitious carbon reduction goals.
Transmission lines are the backbone of the electric grid, carrying power from generation facilities to local utilities and substations. Transmission congestion along Colorado’s Front Range has become a growing challenge that limits flexibility. Together, these four utilities serve more than 1.5 million Coloradans, including some of the state’s fastest-growing communities.
“We expect our growth to continue, so addressing transmission congestion is critical,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “United Power serves an area that is growing quickly, attracting large residential developments and new businesses alike. A more reliable transmission route would help to stabilize costs and increase reliability for current and future members in the cooperative’s service territory.”
A new transmission solution could also benefit the utilities by allowing them to better access generation and share transmission resources, helping to meet Colorado’s clean energy goals.
“We are committed to decarbonizing our portfolio for our four owner communities while supporting our neighbor utilities as we all make this energy transition,” says Jason Frisbie, CEO of Platte River Power Authority. “All options are on the table to help improve reliability and reduce costs, including opportunities to enhance transmission capabilities as we move into an organized market.”
In a complementary move to help manage costs and maintain reliability, Springs Utilities, Platte River Power Authority and United Power will join the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) Regional Transmission Organization on April 1, 2026. CORE is also evaluating market participation, including the SPP.
“What’s great about public power entities is their willingness to collaborate to find the best solutions for their customers. We’re focused on strategies that help manage costs, maintain our industry-leading reliability and reduce carbon emissions. This partnership is a proactive step toward a more resilient energy future for Colorado Springs,” says Travas Deal, Springs Utilities CEO.
“This is a positive first step in exploring alternative ways for our four utilities to support growth and resiliency across our service territories,” stated Pam Feuerstein, CORE CEO. “Additional transmission would enable CORE to continue providing affordable and reliable power to our members, now and into the future.”
The four utilities have agreed to continue to evaluate future transmission options that can best support each utility’s needs while advancing shared goals for reliability, affordability and sustainability.
About Colorado Springs Utilities
Colorado Springs Utilities is one of the largest community-owned, not-for-profit, four-service utilities in the nation. For more than 100 years, we have provided Colorado Springs with safe, reliable and competitively priced electric, natural gas, water and wastewater services.
About CORE Electric Cooperative
CORE is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative providing power to over 180,000 services inside a 5,000-square-mile area along Colorado's Front Range. Its headquarters is in Sedalia, and district offices are in Bennett, Pine Junction, and Woodland Park. Learn more at www.CORE.coop.
About Platte River Power Authority
Platte River Power Authority (Platte River) is a not-for-profit, community-owned public power generation and transmission utility that provides safe, reliable, environmentally responsible and financially sustainable energy and services to Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland, Colorado, for delivery to their distribution utility customers. In addition to providing a public health and safety service to the owner communities, Platte River is working toward a 100% noncarbon energy future through a Resource Diversification Policy approved by its board of directors in 2018. For more information, visit prpa.org.
About United Power
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric co-ops in the nation, serving more than 115,000 meters. Its 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.