Platte River Power Authority Energy Fest in August at the CSU Powerhouse Campus in Ft. Collins. The community engagement event marked the new partnerships with PRPA and Efficiency Works Colorado. Credit: Courtesy/Platte River Power Authority
Contributing to our communities is an integral part of who we are. It defines our purpose as a public power utility and shapes the actions of our employees, many of whom reside in the communities we serve. As we reflect on 2024, we have numerous examples that highlight our dedication to serving and improving the overall well-being of our communities.
Inspiring future energy leaders through STEM education
Supporting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs is at the core of what we do and is becoming increasingly essential as the energy landscape continues to change. A significant part of our community support and engagement focuses on promoting STEM education. We are dedicated to inspiring the next generation of energy leaders through several offerings.
Scholarships: Platte River awarded three scholarships to students pursuing education and careers in the energy sector. Additionally, sponsorships were provided to three Colorado State University student groups working on STEM projects.
Events: Platte River sponsored and hosted the fifth annual NoCo Time Trials event where over 90 teams of middle school students representing 14 schools in northern Colorado competed in a solar and battery-powered model car race. Students used similar noncarbon energy technologies that Platte River is employing in our clean energy transition.
Internships: Our support of the She’s in Power/STEMBlazers program is helping bridge the gap between STEM educational programs and careers in the clean energy industry for women. In 2024, the She’s in Power program matched 20 women with internship opportunities, professional mentors and additional professional development opportunities to help them succeed.
Brightening lives through community giving
We understand that for some families in our region, keeping up with the costs of necessities is an everyday challenge. That’s why Platte River has partnered with the United Way of Larimer County (UWLC), which provides vital support to the most vulnerable members of our community, helping in areas such as access to affordable childcare, early literacy, family financial stability, food security and support for nonprofits in our communities.
In addition to our annual UWLC fundraiser, I am proud to report that Platte River contributed to 18 local nonprofits that offer a variety of services, including assistance for U.S. veterans, homelessness prevention and utility bill assistance. Additionally, our employees are equally dedicated to giving back and donated their time, funds and essentials to several local nonprofit organizations throughout the year.
Moving toward a noncarbon energy future
Platte River is dedicated to an energy transition that is accessible to all community members. By adding 760 megawatts of new renewable energy and investing in innovative technologies that enhance reliability, we will continue to provide reliable energy that is increasingly noncarbon while maintaining reasonable wholesale rates.
We take seriously our responsibility to deliver a vital public health and safety service every day, and we strive to do so as reliably and affordably as possible. Many of our employees live and work in the same communities we serve, and we are committed to supporting our neighbors and local businesses. That’s the essence of public power and it’s what Platte River Power Authority was formed to do.
For more information about our community giving, STEM initiatives and our energy transition, please visit the PRPA website.
The Estes Valley Voice welcomes opinion commentaries by area business, organizations, and property owners and by those who live and work in the Estes Valley. The Estes Valley Voice is a nonpartisan news organization and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. Read our ethics policy for more on the EVV’s opinion policy. To submit a column or to provide feedback to our editors, please email us at news@estesvalleyvoice.com.
Platte River Power Authority: Investing in our communities to energize future leaders
At Platte River Power Authority, a community-owned public power utility, our mission is to provide reliable, environmentally responsible and financially sustainable energy to the communities of Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland. We have maintained this commitment for over 50 years while empowering the communities we serve through meaningful contributions of time and other resources.
Contributing to our communities is an integral part of who we are. It defines our purpose as a public power utility and shapes the actions of our employees, many of whom reside in the communities we serve. As we reflect on 2024, we have numerous examples that highlight our dedication to serving and improving the overall well-being of our communities.
Inspiring future energy leaders through STEM education
Supporting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs is at the core of what we do and is becoming increasingly essential as the energy landscape continues to change. A significant part of our community support and engagement focuses on promoting STEM education. We are dedicated to inspiring the next generation of energy leaders through several offerings.
Scholarships: Platte River awarded three scholarships to students pursuing education and careers in the energy sector. Additionally, sponsorships were provided to three Colorado State University student groups working on STEM projects.
Events: Platte River sponsored and hosted the fifth annual NoCo Time Trials event where over 90 teams of middle school students representing 14 schools in northern Colorado competed in a solar and battery-powered model car race. Students used similar noncarbon energy technologies that Platte River is employing in our clean energy transition.
Interactive learning: For the first time, Platte River, in partnership with Efficiency WorksTM, proudly sponsored Colorado State University Energy Institute’s Mobile Classroom. This initiative brought hands-on STEM education to over 4,200 participants including 3,000 K–12 students, nearly half of whom came from underserved communities. This program provided interactive experiences designed to spark a lifelong interest in energy and technology.
Internships: Our support of the She’s in Power/STEMBlazers program is helping bridge the gap between STEM educational programs and careers in the clean energy industry for women. In 2024, the She’s in Power program matched 20 women with internship opportunities, professional mentors and additional professional development opportunities to help them succeed.
Brightening lives through community giving
We understand that for some families in our region, keeping up with the costs of necessities is an everyday challenge. That’s why Platte River has partnered with the United Way of Larimer County (UWLC), which provides vital support to the most vulnerable members of our community, helping in areas such as access to affordable childcare, early literacy, family financial stability, food security and support for nonprofits in our communities.
In addition to our annual UWLC fundraiser, I am proud to report that Platte River contributed to 18 local nonprofits that offer a variety of services, including assistance for U.S. veterans, homelessness prevention and utility bill assistance. Additionally, our employees are equally dedicated to giving back and donated their time, funds and essentials to several local nonprofit organizations throughout the year.
Moving toward a noncarbon energy future
Platte River is dedicated to an energy transition that is accessible to all community members. By adding 760 megawatts of new renewable energy and investing in innovative technologies that enhance reliability, we will continue to provide reliable energy that is increasingly noncarbon while maintaining reasonable wholesale rates.
We take seriously our responsibility to deliver a vital public health and safety service every day, and we strive to do so as reliably and affordably as possible. Many of our employees live and work in the same communities we serve, and we are committed to supporting our neighbors and local businesses. That’s the essence of public power and it’s what Platte River Power Authority was formed to do.
For more information about our community giving, STEM initiatives and our energy transition, please visit the PRPA website.
The Estes Valley Voice welcomes opinion commentaries by area business, organizations, and property owners and by those who live and work in the Estes Valley. The Estes Valley Voice is a nonpartisan news organization and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. Read our ethics policy for more on the EVV’s opinion policy. To submit a column or to provide feedback to our editors, please email us at news@estesvalleyvoice.com.
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