From proposal to partnership: Black Hollow Sun

To most people, Black Hollow Sun (BHS) is a sea of solar panels stretching across the landscape visible from Highway 14. To those who worked on it, it's the result of years of planning, problem-solving and perseverance. The recent ribbon-cutting … Keep Reading

Leading Platte River’s new generation project

Jace Staponski, senior plant mechanical engineer, earned his mechanical engineering degree from Missouri University of Science and Technology. After working in New York and St. Louis, Staponski found his way to Platte River. Over the years, he took on larger … Keep Reading

2026 community surveys
Posted on September 8, 2026

2026 community surveys

Share your thoughts about our region’s energy future Starting in mid-August, residents and business owners in Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland may see a survey from their electric utility and Platte River Power Authority in their email inboxes. … Keep Reading

What’s the riff raff with the riprap?

On a clear day, the dam at Rawhide Energy Station looks steady, stands firm above the sloshing water below. Water stretches out along the shoreline. A gravel road runs along the top. From a distance, it’s easy to miss the … Keep Reading

Legislative session
Posted on July 16, 2026

Legislative session

When the Colorado legislative session wraps up each spring, the headlines fade, the votes are cast and lawmakers return home. For Platte River’s external affairs team, however, that’s often when some of the most important work begins. By the time … Keep Reading

Built on foresight: The wind project that came first

When people tell the story of Platte River's energy transition, they often start with the Resource Diversification Policy (RDP), adopted in 2018. But one of the utility's most significant renewable energy investments was already underway: the Roundhouse Wind Energy Center. … Keep Reading

The real touchdown at Rawhide
Posted on July 16, 2026

The real touchdown at Rawhide

During an outage at Rawhide Energy Station, success depends on more than schedules and technical expertise; it depends on people. Long hours and complex work require teams to solve problems in real time, support one another and work toward a … Keep Reading

How Platte River’s fiber network became a regional asset

When Platte River installed its first fiber‑optic lines in the late 1990s, the goal was to strengthen the communication backbone needed to safely operate a modern electric grid. The board approved major investment in 1997–1998 to build a fiber loop … Keep Reading

Behind the CIP doors
Posted on May 12, 2026

Behind the CIP doors

At 5:30 a.m., Kyle Hicks is already several days ahead. Before most people start their commute, he is watching weather models shift, load forecasts update and market prices take shape. Behind the secured CIP doors, those early decisions help determine … Keep Reading