Long, widespread outages are rare in our service territory, and the scope and length of the July 7-8 Eagle River Valley outage was well outside the norm for our system.
We know how disruptive it was, and we don’t take that lightly. Crews worked around the clock to restore power as safely and quickly as possible, and we’re grateful for your patience.
Events like this are also a good reminder that even in a system built for reliability, the unexpected can happen. Please take a few minutes to review some of the most frequently asked questions we’ve received over the last few weeks and learn what we can all do together to stay prepared.
You’ve probably seen the topic of Public Safety Power Shutoffs, or PSPS, in the news lately as more western utilities adopt them as a wildfire safety tool.
We want to be clear about what that means here at home: a PSPS would only be used as an absolute last resort, under the most extreme windy and dry conditions, after every other wildfire mitigation measure has been exhausted.
And if we ever need to call one, you will hear from us in advance. We’re committed to giving members as much notice and information as possible so you can prepare.
When a large outage strikes or when we’re doing routine maintenance work in your area, the fastest way for us to reach you is through the contact information we have on file. Please take a minute to log into SmartHub and confirm your phone number and email are current. Or give us a ring and we’re happy to check for you.
While you’re at it, remember to sign up for your county’s emergency alert notifications. This simple step helps keep you in the loop no matter what’s happening in your area.
August 11 is 811 Day, and it’s the perfect reminder to keep yourself safe while doing any digging on your property.
Whether you’re doing a little bit of landscaping or starting a big construction project, call 811 or visit Colorado811.org at least three business days before you break ground to locate public utility lines on your property.
It’s free, it’s the law, and it just might save a life!
Last month, our community lost one of it’s finest in Ed Grange, former Holy Cross Energy General Manager. Born to Italian immigrants and raised on a ranch near Basalt, Ed devoted his life to the Roaring Fork Valley and Holy Cross Energy. He began with a summer job while in graduate school and went on to serve HCE for 41 years, including 13 years as our second General Manager from 1975–1993.
Ed did every job asked of him (including clerk, construction, bookkeeping, and office management) before leading our cooperative through decades of growth. He helped bring electric service to the new Vail ski resort in 1962, a gamble he later said “paid off,” and after retiring he spent 17 more years consulting and documenting our history, ultimately authoring Holy Cross Electric: In the Beginning, The First 30 Years. His story has been shared in interviews, podcasts, and national publications, preserving the legacy he built.
Our annual Ed Grange Award honors HCE employees for outstanding performance and their ongoing commitment to the mission, vision, and core values of Holy Cross Energy.
Legend, leader, historian, mentor, and friend, Ed Grange will be missed by so many of us who knew him. We all truly stand on the shoulders of this giant.
Youth Camp Fun —
Coal Ridge High School student Chantrelle Skakovksy represented Holy Cross Energy on the 2026 Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp in Steamboat Springs. During camp, she connected with fellow students from the region, took part in leadership activities and team-building challenges, learned about the cooperative difference, and created memories and friendships that will last long after camp. Read more about Chantrelle’s camp experience >
Upcoming Events —
Late summer is a busy time for fun and educational events in our region. Join us at these great events, and be sure to check our full event calendar for more info >
Marble Fest – August 8
Vitalant Blood Drive in HCE Glenwood – August 11
CORE Green Expo – September 11
Latino Conservation Week – September 12
Tacos y Kilovatios – September 17
Electric Lawn Equipment Rebates —
Now’s the time to upgrade your fall lawn equipment. Electrify your old gear, and get a 25% back on a new mower, leaf blower, snow blower, chainsaw, and more. E-Lawn Rebates >