We were created by an agreement between our members called the “organic contract.” In it, each member agrees to buy electricity from us. The agreement is binding for the length of the contract.
A 12-person board with two representatives drawn from each member community governs us. A general manager, appointed by our board, is responsible for handling our day-to-day operations.
Randy Holland
Blaine Ice
Ron Clodfelter
Richard Stwalley
P. Lorenz Sutherland
Gary Cranson
Heath Piper
Jay Suhler
Houssin Hourieh
Linda Vigil
Franklin Shew
ARPA has long-term hydropower supply contracts in place with the Western Area Power Administration. The hydropower provides approximately 28% of ARPA’s members’ power supply requirements.
Although not mandated by Colorado’s renewable energy requirements, ARPA is nevertheless committed to acquiring and maintaining renewable resources. Currently ARPA generates and purchases wind power, which supplies about 8% of its member’s electric needs, and it has long-term hydropower contracts that supply about 28% of its needs. In addition, plans are in place for ARPA to add solar generation to its portfolio, which will provide approximately 15% of ARPA’s electric needs. Furthermore, the ARPA members have established voluntary Net Metering programs that encourage the development of rooftop solar. The program has resulted in significant growth, almost doubling rooftop solar units in the member communities from 2022 to 2023.
ARPA currently purchases its Supplemental Power needs (power requirements above its wind, solar, and hydropower resources) from Public Service Company of Colorado. Beginning in February 2025, that will change as ARPA has executed a long-term, competitively priced Power Purchase Agreement with Guzman Energy to supply its Supplemental power supply needs. Guzman Energy is a Colorado-based Independent Power Producer with a focus on developing renewable energy resources.
ARPA’s wholesale electricity travels to members via transmission lines owned by third parties. The member municipalities set their own retail rates that are then applied to their customers. Once power arrives in each community, ARPA’s member municipally owned electric systems distribute it to residential, commercial and industrial customers.
From 2011 until 2018 ARPA did not adjust its wholesale rates, either up or down, providing a stable, reliable rate structure to its member municipalities of Holly, La Junta, Lamar, Las Animas, Springfield, and Trinidad. In 2019 the ARPA Board voted to reduce rates 2%. They followed that up with a rate decrease of 3.5% in 2021. The Board anticipates taking an additional rate decrease beginning in 2025 with the implementation of its new power supply contract.
ARPA support our members’ communities. Our scholarship fund provides annual college scholarships to a high school senior in each of our member communities.
Named in honor of the late Gordon Robinson, this award is presented each year to a current or former member of our Board of Directors who displays exceptional leadership.
Robinson was a well-respected citizen and prominent attorney who helped create ARPA and served for many years on our Board. He suggested creative solutions to ARPA’s initial challenges, letting us fulfill our mission of supplying low cost, reliable wholesale electric power to our member communities.
We present this award each year to an official, employee, citizen, or customer who displays commendable efforts in promoting the mission of public power in an ARPA member community.
Tom Pryor was a well-respected citizen of La Junta who served on the La Junta Power Board and the ARPA Board of Directors from its inception in 1973. Pryor, former chief electrician for La Junta, was a dedicated Board member who was key to bringing the benefits of intergovernmental cooperation to all our members.
The ARPA Honor Roll of Merit is presented to a person or organization that makes a significant effort and unselfish contribution either to the ARPA’s mission and purpose or to the betterment of an ARPA member community.