Southwest Power Stories is a podcast from La Plata Electric that explores how energy connects our communities across the Southwest.
Each month, we share cooperative updates, regional power stories, and real-world examples of how the co-op is supporting local people, nonprofits, and communities. Through conversations with energy experts, community partners, and members, we dive into the ideas, challenges, and innovations shaping our energy future.
At LPEA, we believe stories inform, connect, and empower. This podcast is our space to share what's happening, why it matters, and how we're working together to build a reliable, affordable, and community-powered future.
What does it mean to be a neighbor? In this episode of Southwest Power Stories, host Monica Vick travels to the Four Corners region with La Plata Electric's lineworkers as they participate in Light Up Navajo, a national mutual aid program run by the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority that connects homes to electricity for the first time. An estimated third of homes on the Navajo Nation still lack access to the grid, not a statistic from fifty years ago, but today. La Plata Electric joined the effort for the first time in 2026, committing a full crew to Phase 7 of the program, because the area sits just two hours from Durango and LPEA's service territory, and the need felt hard to ignore. In this episode: the pre-dawn work site, the lineworkers who chose to make the trip, the NTUA crews who welcomed them, and a mother of five in Montezuma Creek whose family had been living without power for months, and who was generous enough to share what that day meant to her.
30 Sept 2026
Watt's Up: September 2026 Recap
In this episode, we share an update on LPEA's power supply planning as the cooperative wraps up its first six months of energy independence, including the five principles guiding future decisions and a recap of the September 14 Town Hall, with the recording and slides now available online. We also preview CommunityPowerX on October 13 at the Durango Arts Center, where members can hear about wildfire protection, home battery storage, and preparing for the future of energy. Plus, the Round Up Foundation celebrated 30 years of community giving with more than $59,000 in mid-year grants, home battery rebates of up to $2,000 are available for qualifying members, and LPEA's updated Solar Export Guide is ready for members exploring solar options.
31 Aug 2026
Watt's Up: August 2026 Recap
In this episode, we invite members to a September 14 Power Supply Town Hall in Durango, where LPEA's board and leadership team will walk through the cooperative's power supply transition and explain how LPEA plans to balance emissions reductions with keeping bills affordable. We also preview our upcoming Community Power X on October 13, a member event covering wildfire protection, home battery storage, and future-proofing your home. Plus, Durango members can drop in for a rebate and energy help session with 4CORE on September 15, and National Drive Electric Month is the perfect time to check out LPEA's EV charger rebates and take the EV readiness quiz.
6 Aug 2026
Watt's Up: July 2026 Recap
In this episode, we cover how La Plata Electric has dedicated its entire 2026 community sponsorship budget to wildfire mitigation and resilience, highlighting five local and regional partners working to protect communities across Southwest Colorado before a fire strikes. We also break down what the new Colorado plug-in solar law means for members starting January 2027, share a mid-year Round Up Foundation update showing where your spare change has gone so far, and remind Pagosa Springs members about the August 11 office hours session with Fourcore. Plus, catch LPEA's interactive STEM booth at the La Plata County Fair on August 6 and 7.
27 Jul 2026
Community Power X: Celebrating Energy Independence
This episode takes you inside our spring celebration event, La Plata Electric's Community Power X gathering at the Durango Arts Center, where two major milestones were discussed: our monumental power supply transition and entry into the Southwest Power Pool.
CEO Chris Hansen shared what energy independence really means for a member-owned cooperative, and we brought together CEOs from across the region, Kit Carson Electric, Montrose, and Farmington Electric, for a candid panel on member-driven power supply decisions and what it takes to lead in a changing energy landscape.
Plus, La Plata Electric's board unveiled an updated vision statement built for the co-op's next chapter.
Join us again this October for round two. Community Power X returns Tuesday, October 13th, 2026, at the Durango Arts Center.
25 Jun 2026
Watt's Up: June 2026 Recap
In this episode, we recap LPEA's June board reorganization, welcoming three newly elected directors from Districts 2, 3, and 4, and announcing the cooperative's leadership lineup for the 2026-2027 term. We also cover why some members have experienced outages this summer and how LPEA's system settings are actively working to prevent wildfires during red flag conditions. Plus, the Colorado HEAR program's $14,000 rebate deadline is August 1 and funding is nearly gone. Learn how to reserve yours before it's too late. We also touch on the Time of Use rate, the Round Up Foundation board vacancy in District 3, and upcoming events including the Durango Farmers Market and Archuleta County Fair.
3 Jun 2026
Watt's Up: May 2026 Recap
In this episode, we recap LPEA's May Annual Meeting, where over 140 members gathered to review a strong 2025 and look ahead at what's coming in 2026, including four newly elected board directors and a passed bylaw amendment. We also cover what LPEA is doing this summer to reduce wildfire risk, how Budget Billing can help smooth out seasonal bill swings, and free electric safety demos available to your group or organization. Plus, learn how qualifying members could save up to $14,000 on home electrification projects through Colorado's HEAR program.
4 May 2026
Watt's Up: April 2026 Recap
In this month's newsletter recap, host Monica Vick covers what members need to know heading into May, including a quick tribute to the energy transition on April 1, celebrating National Lineworker Appreciation Month, highlighting our first wildfire resilience sponsorship, and a full calendar of upcoming events and deadlines. Stay connected at lpea.coop.
22 Apr 2026
Power Up: Prioritizing Safety Ahead of Wildfire Season
Wildfire in southwest Colorado is a year-round reality. With warmer winters, drier forests, and wind events that can turn a single spark into a catastrophe, LPEA is rethinking what it means to run a reliable grid.
In this episode of Southwest Power Stories, host Monica Vick takes you inside the cooperative's wildfire mitigation strategy. You'll hear how a machine learning platform called Firescape is mapping risk hour by hour, why reclosers get reconfigured when fire danger spikes, what a Public Safety Power Shutoff actually looks like from inside the dispatch center, and how vegetation management crews are climbing trees ninety percent of the workday to keep the lines clear.
You'll also meet LPEA's 2026 sponsorship partner, Wildfire Adapted Partnership, and learn how neighborhood ambassadors and a chipper rebate program are helping homeowners adapt to the ever-warming climate.
Featuring LPEA CEO Chris Hansen, Senior Director of Engineering Ryne Waggoner, Director of Distribution Toby Allred, Relief Dispatcher Rachel Killinen, and Wildfire Adapted Partnership Executive Director Ashley Downing.
Learn more about Firescape here: https://www.firescape.ai/
Apply for a chipper rebate here: https://www.wildfireadapted.org/chipper-rebate
Discover more about LPEA's Vegetation Management plan here: https://lpea.coop/vegmgmt
Sign up for our Watt's Up newsletter here: https://lpea.coop/newsletter
31 Mar 2026
Watt's Up: March 2026 Recap
In this month's newsletter recap, host Monica Vick covers what members need to know heading into April, including the cooperative's historic transition to energy independence on April 1, the CommunityPowerX regional energy forum on April 23 at the Durango Arts Center, Board of Directors elections updates, town halls in Durango and Pagosa Springs, internship opportunities, a downed power line safety reminder, and a full calendar of upcoming events and deadlines. Stay connected at lpea.coop.
25 Mar 2026
Power Up: A New Era for LPEA
On April 1, 2026, La Plata Electric ends decades of buying nearly all its wholesale power from a single supplier and goes back to it's roots by stepping into a regional energy market for the first time. In this episode, we follow CEO Chris Hansen as he travels through the service territory, meeting members over coffee to discuss what this transition means for rates, reliability, and the co-op's energy future. From joining Southwest Power Pool to exploring battery energy storage, this is the story of a cooperative taking control of its own destiny.
10 Mar 2026
Round Up: Celebrating 30 Years with Our First Recipient, Manna Soup Kitchen
In this episode, LPEA CEO Chris Hansen visits Manna, one of the Roundup Foundation's very first grant recipients, to mark 30 years of giving. Executive Director Marissa Hunt shares how Manna has evolved from a traditional soup kitchen into a comprehensive food security hub, offering daily meals, a food market, case management, and a culinary job training program. It's a firsthand look at what happens when small contributions add up to real community change. Hosted by Monica Vick, from La Plata Electric.
25 Feb 2026
Watt's Up: February 2026 Recap
Discover how the La Plata Electric Round Up Foundation has transformed small acts of generosity into over $2.5 million of community investment over 30 years. This episode reveals the power of rounding up your electric bill to fuel charitable programs and emergency aid, while also sharing insights on maximizing energy rebates, understanding power blinks during storms, and engaging in community initiatives like Coffee with Chris. Learn about the Foundation's recent $153,500 distribution to nonprofits and upcoming events, and find out how your everyday actions can create lasting change. Hosted by Monica Vick, from La Plata Electric.
22 Jan 2026
Watt's Up: January 2026 Recap
Kick off the new year with a quick check-in from La Plata Electric. In this January Watt's Up Recap, we share highlights from our 2026 operational plan, including investments in safety, reliability, wildfire mitigation, local solar, and cost control. You'll also hear updates on battery energy storage, the completion of our broadband sale, 30 years of Round Up impact, upcoming scholarships, board elections, key dates, and new rebates available to members. A fast, informative snapshot of what's happening at your cooperative—and what matters right now.
18 Dec 2025
Watt's Up LPEA: December newsletter highlights
CEO Chris Hansen reviews LPEA's 2025 achievements, celebrates Cindy Straight's 50-year career, and shares updates on rates, elections, scholarships, and community engagement.
17 Jun 2025
Power Pilot from LPEA: Episode 3
Dan Harms, Executive Vice President at Grid Solutions, examines time-of-use rates, battery solutions, and virtual power plants, revealing how consumer behavior impacts energy efficiency and community-based solutions.
6 May 2025
Power Pilot from LPEA: Episode 2
In this episode, Monica Vick speaks with LPEA member Ryan, who shares his experience with Time of Use rates. Ryan discusses his journey towards energy efficiency, the technological adjustments he made, and the significant cost savings he achieved. He emphasizes the importance of understanding energy usage and offers practical advice for newcomers to energy management. The conversation also touches on the future of energy management and the role of technology in optimizing energy consumption.
15 Apr 2025
Power Pilot from LPEA: Episode 1
This conversation explores the concept of Time of Use (TOU) rates offered by La Plata Electric Association (LPEA). It discusses how these rates can help members save on their electricity bills by shifting usage to off-peak hours when on the TOU rate. The discussion includes insights from energy management specialists and real-life examples from members who have benefited from TOU rates. The conversation also covers the enrollment process and the potential savings for different types of households.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
44,013
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
27
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
0
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