Search
Close this search box.
en_US English
en_US English es_MX Spanish
en_US English
en_US English es_MX Spanish
Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

Member Equity

What is Member Equity?

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we allocate any annual revenue that exceeds expenses back to our members in the form of Member Equity. 

  • Some of each year’s Member Equity is refunded to members the following year. 
  • The rest is put into a reserve, used to maintain and improve our system, and is eventually paid back to those same members within 25 years.

This helps us avoid taking out expensive loans, which keeps our rates as affordable as possible!

  • You can DONATE your Member Equity refunds to community members in need!

You can set recurring donations of your future Member Equity refunds to community members in need through the Holy Cross Energy Round-Up Foundation or Energy Outreach Colorado. Please fill out the form below or give us a call to get started.

Questions about your Member Equity?
Contact Us

How does Member Equity work?

With our May 2025 Member Equity refund, we have returned over $180 million to our members since 1963!

Because electric cooperatives operate at cost, any excess revenues, called margins, are returned to members in the form of Member Equity.

Part of each year’s Member Equity is paid to recent members, while another part is reserved to be paid back on a 25-year-or-less rotation.

1

We track how much electricity you purchase and how much money you are billed for it throughout the year.

2

At the end of each year, we close our books and determine whether there are excess revenues, called margins.

3

We allocate these margins to members based on the amount they were billed for electricity during the year.

4

Part of your allocation is paid back to you the following year, when our financial condition permits.

We send refunds to each qualifying member via bill credit or check.

For example, our May 2025 payout represents Member Equity from members who purchased electricity from HCE in 2024.

The remaining portion of the margin is invested into our utility system rather than taking out loans and paying interest.

We will return these funds back to members within 25 years.

Look for these refunds annually in December.

For example, our December 2024 payout represented Member Equity from members who purchased electricity from HCE in 2007-2008.

Frequently Asked Questions

Member Equity refunds are distributed each year in May (for the prior year’s equity) and in December (for equity from years up-to 25 years prior).

For active members

  • Refunds less than $100 are applied to your account. The refund will be listed on your bill, as a separate line item, on the second page.
  • Refunds greater than $100 are still distributed via a mailed check.

For members who no longer have an active account, checks will be sent to the mailing address on file, in early May or December.

We are so sorry for your loss, and we will gladly reissue the check in your name. Please provide a mailed or emailed copy of the death certificate to:

Holy Cross Energy – PO Box 2150 – Glenwood Springs, CO 81602.

-or- member-equity@holycross.com

For future Member Equity checks, we will also need the name and mailing address for the surviving spouse.

We can also provide a one-time estate retirement, at a discounted payout. Please contact us if you’d like more information about this option.

One spouse can sign over their Member Equity to the other spouse with an assignment letter. The assignment letter needs to be signed, notarized and returned to our office via mail or email.

If an assignment is not possible, for an active account, please open a new account with a new member number for the spouse that is paying the electric bill.

If you have a Member Equity check from last year, it has been voided and the value has been added to this year’s check. 

If you have multiple old checks that have not been cashed, please contact us for a review of your refund history. 

Yes, we will continue to send you Member Equity refunds when you move, but you will need to update your mailing address on file.

Please fill out the form below to update your address.

You can donate your future Member Equity refunds to community members in need through the Holy Cross Energy Round-Up Foundation or Energy Outreach Colorado. Please fill out the form below or give us a call to set up your recurring donation.  

Questions About Your Member Equity?

 

Need to update your mailing address?

Want to donate your future refunds to community members in need? 

Please fill out the form here or give us a call at 970.945.5491.