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

A show of hands that changed everything

At the National Coal Users’ Group Conference, a simple show of hands changed everything. As Jace Staponski, senior plant mechanical engineer, wrapped up his presentation on Rawhide Energy Station’s dust collection system, the room went quiet. Then came his question: … Keep Reading

Rawhide outages – A legacy of reliability and care

When Rawhide Energy Station first came online in 1984, it marked a turning point for Platte River and its owner communities. It was a promise of reliable, cost-effective power for decades to come. But even the most advanced facilities require … Keep Reading

Why retirees return to Rawhide
Posted on February 7, 2026

Why retirees return to Rawhide

For many who spent decades at Rawhide, coming back for an outage isn’t just about the work, it’s about being part of something bigger than themselves. Retirees describe a deep sense of purpose and pride in supporting the organization and … Keep Reading

When the Rawhide road turned into a waterbed

Interview with: Brant Duncan, Brett Johnson, Jacen Kamtz, Everitt Pettit, Danielle Sosa, Albert Rodriguez-Caro It was a mystery, a wet road on a bone-dry summer weekend at Rawhide Energy Station. Operations staff noticed that the main road into the plant … Keep Reading