SDCEA Feb 2026 CCL Magazine

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

Western Mountain Rescue Team saves lives in the wilderness

MAGAZINE STAFF

Director of Communications Cassi Gloe cgloe@coloradocountrylife.org

Editor Kylee Coleman kcoleman@coloradocountrylife.org

Editorial Assistant Melinda Taylor mtaylor@coloradocountrylife.org

EDITORIAL

CORPORATE OFFICE

455 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80226 info@coloradocountrylife.org, 303-455-4111

Editorial opinions published in Colorado Country Life magazine shall pertain to issues affecting rural electric cooperatives, rural communities, and citizens. The opinion of CREA is not necessarily that of any particular cooperative or individual.

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COLORADO COUNTRY LIFE (USPS 469400/ISSN 1090-2503), Copyright © 2026 is published monthly by the Colorado Rural Electric Association, 455 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80226. Business and Editorial Offices: 455 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80226. Accounting and Circulation Offices: 455 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80226. Call 303-455-4111 to subscribe. Periodicals postage is paid at Denver, Colorado.

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The Final Stretch

By Kylee Coleman Editor

February may be the shortest month on the calendar, but the wait for “what’s next” can feel like a slog. The bustle of the holidays is over, and the novelty of a new year — and many of the resolutions that came with it — has worn off.

This final stretch of winter can be a struggle, but it is also a time for projects, preparation, and planning. Begin chipping away at the chaotic and cluttered closet that needs a good going-through. Dig into research for the new refrigerator you might need to buy to replace the old one that is on its way out. Write down your gardening strategy for this summer. And parents of high school seniors, it is time to start thinking about the graduation party that will sneak up on you in a couple of months. These don’t require perfection; quiet, steady progress is always meaningful.

The feature story in this issue highlights thoughtful, behind-the-scenes work that happens year-round — the training, preparation, and care that strengthens our communities long before the results are visible.

If you feel like this short month is extra long, you are not alone. Let’s keep going, tackle what we can, gather all the patience we can muster, and trust that spring is closer than it seems

Monthly Giveaway

Enter to win a Bluecorn Artemisa scented candle.

The 6-ounce candle sits in a beautiful glass jar, and the sage, eucalyptus, and bergamot scent elevates any space. Visit our website at coloradocountrylife.coop to enter.

Read more about Colorado candlemakers on page 21.

Do you need a different way to enter our contests? Send a postcard to 455 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80226, and include your name, mailing address, phone number, and the name of your electric cooperative. Contest closes February 20.

Shaping Outcomes

By Tom Walch CREA Executive Director

Every year around this time, electric cooperative leaders from around the state descend on downtown Denver to attend the annual meeting of the Colorado Rural Electric Association. The activities there are what you would expect at an annual meeting of a trade association: reports from officers, educational sessions, meetings of affiliated organizations, and presentations from guest speakers with their views on industry trends. But the real reason we are coming to Denver in the dead of winter is because of what’s happening just a few blocks away from our meeting venue, under the gold dome of the Colorado Capitol. That’s where the Colorado General Assembly convened on January 14.

interests are actively engaged in shaping the outcome. At the same time, lawmakers are advancing initiatives that will have real impacts on members and the communities they serve.

In this environment, strong grassroots engagement is not optional; the voices of co-op leaders, employees, and members will be critical to ensuring lawmakers understand how these policies affect real people in real communities. When legislators hear directly from the folks they represent, it strengthens our ability to protect affordability, reliability, and local decision-making.

CREA’s legislative team will have a full dance card this session, as we expect to engage on more than 40 bills. We will be working hard to preserve reliable and affordable electric energy for co-op members across the state. For example, we will work to ensure that transmission providers are not given a chance to escape their obligation to join a cost-saving Regional Transmission Organization or RTO. We will fight back against efforts to amend existing clean-energy statutes that could increase costs for many co-op consumers.

We are entering a challenging legislative environment. Several high-profile issues affecting electric co-ops are drawing significant attention at the Capitol, and many well-organized special

Grassroots engagement works best when it is driven locally and reinforced collectively. When co-op leaders activate their members, lawmakers listen. Today, Colorado’s electric co-ops are aligned around a common set of priorities, and that unity, paired with bipartisan interest at the Capitol, creates real opportunity. Change rarely happens overnight, but sustained engagement builds influence. Together we can shape outcomes that protect our members and the communities we serve. As the new executive director at CREA, I’m excited for the opportunity to lead this organization and build upon the unity of our communities and our co-op family.

Tom Walch is the executive director of the Colorado Rural Electric Association, the statewide organization supporting 21 electric distribution cooperatives and one generation and transmission cooperative.

New Opportunities for Savings

By Jon Beyer CEO

As our colder winter months continue, electricity use naturally rises. We spend more time indoors where we rely on our home’s heating system and use more lighting and household appliances. When a majority of our members are using electricity at the same time, typically early mornings and evenings between 5-9 p.m., the result is significant pressure on our electric grid and high demand charges from our wholesale power provider Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association.

Lowering demand charges is something we can all play a part in. To help understand demand, here is an example using a light bulb. Light bulbs have varying power ratings and for this example we will use a 10-watt LED bulb. If this lightbulb stays on for 10 hours, it consumes 100 watt-hours – but only demands 10 watts. Now, if you turn on ten 10W light bulbs in your home for one hour, you are still consuming the same 100 watt-hours. However, your demand is 100 watts — 10 times higher than using one bulb. Managing demand is an important driver in the cost of providing electric service to SDCEA members. The peak demand at your service dictates the size of wire and equipment necessary to serve you, and it drives SDCEA’s costs from Tri-State.

For now, you have the voluntary opportunity to help lower costs for the cooperative by shifting your use of electricity, using less electricity during peak times — Monday to Saturday from 5-9 p.m. — and by staggering your appliance use — running one at a time instead of multiple simultaneously. While this is currently a choice you can make to reduce costs, our goal is to eventually introduce rates that financially reward you for shifting your energy usage and practicing these habits. It is a step toward giving you more control over your bill and savings in the future.

For example, when you get home in the evening, cook dinner first, then run appliances such as the clothes washing machine afterwards if you have laundry to do – not at the same time. Better yet, if you have appliances with a ‘delay’ feature, set them to run after 9 p.m. These small changes reduce stress on the grid, lower costs, and make electricity more reliable

for everyone.

By March, we will launch two optional pilot programs designed to give residential members a chance to save money while reducing demand costs on our system.

Water Heater Pilot Program — If you have an electric water heater, you may apply to be part of a pilot program where we’ll install a Wi-Fi-enabled device to manage your heater’s activity, preventing it from running during the peak hours of 5-9 p.m., Monday-Saturday. In return, you’ll receive a bill credit for participating.

EV Charging Pilot Program — For members with a Level II electric vehicle charger, this opt-in program offers a financial incentive to avoid charging your vehicle during the peak hours of 5-9 p.m., Monday-Saturday.

If you are interested in either of these programs, call SDCEA Energy Use Advisor Tom Linza or visit our website at myelectric.coop for more information. Both programs will be offered to a limited number of participants, and are subject to terms and conditions, including needing Wi-Fi at your home.

Next month’s column will include information about a new pilot residential battery program which is currently under development.

Together, we can control electricity costs and create a more efficient energy system in the future.

PRESIDENTS DAY

The SDCEA business office will be closed in observance of Presidents Day, February 16. Dispatch will be available to report outages by calling toll-free, 844-395-2412.

86th Annual Meeting

Join us June 24

SDCEA WESTCLIFFE WAREHOUSE

56495 Hwy 69 | Westcliffe, CO 81252

-Registration opens at 9 a.m.

-Meeting convenes at 10 a.m.

Open house | Displays | Lunch | Activities

June 24 will be Sangre de Cristo Electric Association’s 86th Annual Meeting. Members of the cooperative will act on financial data from 2025 and consider any other business that may come before the meeting.

If there is a contested election, it will be held separately from the annual meeting by mail and online vote — see information below.

The regular June board of directors meeting will also be held on this date in Westcliffe.

SDCEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION GUIDE

Important Election Dates – 2026

• January 14: Petitions for director’s seats were made available for circulation.

• March 13: Deadline for the candidate nomination petitions and questionnaires to be received at SDCEA’s Buena Vista office by 4:30 p.m.

• April 23: Date of record — the cut-off date for determining eligible voters.

• Early May: Paper ballots will be mailed to all eligible voters. You may cast a paper or online ballot.

• June 18: Deadline for ballots to be received by the election company or cast online by 1 p.m. MDT.

• June 22: Election results will be announced.

• June 24: SDCEA’s Annual Meeting in Westcliffe.

WHAT SEATS ARE UP FOR ELECTION?

Three seats are up for election this year – a representative for an at-large seat, a town of Buena Vista seat, and a rural Chaffee/Lake County seat.

The at-large seat up for election is currently held by Michael Robinson, the town of Buena Vista seat by Blake Bennetts, and the rural Chaffee/Lake counties seat by Mark Boyle. All three incumbent representatives have indicated they wish to run again for their respective seats.

The board consists of a total of seven seats, each with a three-year term. These include two at-large seats, one seat for the town of Buena Vista, one for

Fremont County, one for Custer County, and two for rural Chaffee/Lake counties. Elected board members, though designated by geographical area, represent the entire membership of the system.

• Petition and board packets were made available January 14. Completed petitions are due to SDCEA by 4:30 p.m. March 13.

• Prospective board members should be aware that travel and training are part of their responsibilities, and they can expect to dedicate at least 20 hours per month to board-related activities. Compensation includes a monthly payment of $300, along with additional pay for meetings.

• Candidate information will be available online after the March 13 deadline.

WHO CAN VOTE?

• Named SDCEA account holders are entitled to vote in the Board of Directors Election. One ballot is cast per membership.

• Members vote on all candidates, regardless of where your service address is located.

• Your residence status, whether full-time or parttime, in or out of state, does not affect your right to vote.

• Accounts that are in a business name are asked who they would like to delegate as the voting member when the business signs up for service. If you own a business and would like to confirm your voting delegate, email info@myelectric.coop or 719-395-2412.

BALLOTS

• Paper ballots will be mailed in early May to all eligible voters listed as of April 23.

• Choose to vote online or via mail — instructions for both methods will accompany your ballot. You must vote online or by mail. No ballot drop box or booth will be available. If you are missing your ballot or need information about voting, please call our office at 719-395-2412 before the voting deadline

• Online voting will open when ballots are mailed. To vote online, or to vote prior to receiving your paper ballot with online voting instructions, simply sign into your SDCEA account at myelectric.coop or use the SmartHub app. First-time sign-in or SmartHub app users will need their account number to register.

• Members as of April 23 who have a valid email address as well also receive information and reminders to vote electronically.

• If a member casts an online vote and mails a paper ballot, the paper ballot vote will supersede the online vote. Ballots must be received by the election company by 1 p.m. on June 18 to be counted. If a paper ballot is received after deadline, the online vote cast will stand. Ballots that are postmarked before the deadline but not received by June 18 will not be counted.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES BY CANDIDATES

To foster transparency, candidates are required to disclose campaign contributions and expenditures. Details of any contributions and expenditures over $50 must be itemized.

Disclosures are due by 4:30 p.m. March 31, May 14, and June 11 and will be posted on the website.

YOUR PARTICIPATION MATTERS

Your vote is pivotal in shaping the future actions and policies of SDCEA. Do not miss the chance to contribute to the direction of your cooperative – vote! The election will be completed — results certified, and winners announced — on June 22. No voting activities will take place at the annual meeting June 24.

For details about candidate eligibility requirements and election procedures, please scan this QR code or visit the Bylaws, Rates, & Policies section of the SDCEA website — myelectric.coop/ boardinfo/bylaws-rates-policies.

Power Outages

Power outages are an occasional reality, particularly in remote areas. While we work hard to minimize disruptions, it is important to know more about outages, their causes, and how they are addressed to ensure electricity is restored efficiently and safely.

WHAT CAUSES POWER OUTAGES?

Power outages occur for a variety of reasons. The most common causes include:

• Weather-Related Issues: Snowstorms, high winds, lightning, and ice can damage power lines or cause tree branches to fall, disrupting service. Even if the weather is relatively mild at your location, storm events elsewhere may impact your service. Winter storms are a threat to electrical equipment when snow and ice build-up on power lines and tree limbs. The weight of the snow and ice can cause wires to break. Tree limbs also become heavy with snow and ice causing them to break and fall into power lines.

• Equipment Issues: Normal wear and tear or unexpected equipment failure can lead to outages.

• Accidents and Wildlife: Vehicle collisions with utility poles, homeowners working on projects such as tree trimming that end up contacting power lines, dig-ins to primary wire by homeowners and/ or contractors, or animals interfering with electrical equipment are less common but still significant causes of outages.

• Transmission or Supply Line Disruptions: Outages can happen when the main power supply lines we rely on, managed by external transmission providers such as Black Hills Energy, Xcel, or Tri-State Generation and Transmission experience an issue. Because these lines deliver electricity to us to distribute on SDCEA’s lines, we are unable to provide power to your home until the provider resolves the problem. Once their repairs are complete, power will flow through our system, allowing us to restore electricity to your location as quickly as possible.

HOW IS RESTORATION PRIORITIZED?

To restore service to the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time, repairs are prioritized as follows:

• Fix large transmission lines supplying power to substations.

• Repair substations that distribute electricity to many households.

• Address issues with smaller distribution lines impacting fewer residents.

REPAIRS TAKE TIME

Outage restoration can vary in complexity and time based on several factors such as distance, location, and weather conditions.

• Reaching outage sites: Restoring power in rural areas can require crews to hike, snowshoe, or snowmobile with equipment or travel long

distances, often in challenging conditions like icy or snow-covered roads.

• Identifying the cause: Pinpointing the exact issue, particularly in rugged or remote terrain, can add time — especially during nighttime or severe weather. Removing a branch from a line is quick and relatively simple. Replacing a broken power pole or digging up the buried cable to find and repair a fault is a much longer process.

RESTORING POWER AS QUICKLY & SAFELY AS POSSIBLE

Our hardworking crews are on call 24/7 to restore power safely and efficiently. Even in adverse weather, they work tirelessly to ensure your household regains access to electricity as quickly as possible while prioritizing their safety and yours.

SDCEA likes to restore power as quickly as possible after an outage, but it is even more important that our employees go home safely to their families at the end of the day. Our crews are trained to take the time and safety measures they need before making repairs to electrical equipment.

Crews do occasionally break to eat, rest, and change equipment or clothing. They are also mandated to rest and come off the line after a designated number of hours by safety regulation standards and conditions on the ground.

WHAT ABOUT WILDFIRE?

While this may increase an outage’s frequency and length, to reduce wildfire risks, we adjust system settings during high-risk periods to shut off power at the smallest signs of disruption. It ensures greater community safety. Unlike some utilities, we avoid preemptive shutoffs and favor thorough inspections before restoring power.

WHY DO LIGHTS BLINK?

Blinking or flickering lights often occur as the system works to maintain power. During severe weather, this may result from tree branches brushing against power lines or temporary disruptions that resolve automatically.

A blink is a brief power interruption that is completely normal and plays an important role in our electrical system. Despite routine tree trimming near power lines, strong winds can sometimes cause trees to touch the wires. When this happens, your lights might flicker, or you could lose power for a few seconds as the system works to address the issue. This protective measure prevents longer outages, limiting the disruption to just a few moments.

Trees and Branches: Storms can cause branches to touch or fall on power lines, creating a short circuit. This prompts a recloser, a device that temporarily cuts power to fix the problem, resulting in blinking lights.

Lightning and Thunder: A strong flash of lightning or a loud thunderclap can affect the main power supply, causing lights to blink.

Ice and Snow Buildup: In severe weather, ice can accumulate on power lines, making them sway and occasionally touch each other. This can lead to brief power disruptions or blinking lights.

STAY INFORMED

During outages, you can find updates and information on myelectric.coop, SDCEA’s social media pages, and through direct calls. Please note that limited communication in the field — such as no cell service — may delay update availability.

Thank you for trusting us to power your home and business — we appreciate your patience and understanding.

IS YOUR POWER OUT?

If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Call to report your outage at 719-395-2412 or toll-free 844-395-2412. Our dispatch system is available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We do not monitor email or social media at all times to learn of outages. You must call in your outage to ensure we know about it.

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Should I Upgrade My Appliance?

By Miranda Boutelle

Buying a new appliance can feel daunting. Before you hand over your hard-earned money, here’s how to choose an appliance that will help you save money over time.

Before you start shopping, keep in mind that not all new appliances are high efficiency and not all old appliances are inefficient. The yellow EnergyGuide label on new appliances shows the yearly energy cost, kilowatt-hour electricity use, and Energy Star logo, if certified.

Let’s look at some examples to see how the costs and savings stack up.

On a visit to my mom’s house, she proudly showed off her 1980s refrigerator she bought when her 1970s model died. If her 1980s fridge uses 2,000 kilowatthours per year, at 15 cents per kWh, it costs $300 per year to operate. But refrigerators have seen major efficiency improvements over the years. If Mom buys a new Energy Star-certified refrigerator for $1,000 that uses 500 kWh per year, equaling a $75 yearly energy cost. By cutting annual energy costs by about $225, the new refrigerator would pay for itself in roughly four and a half years.

Other appliances have seen improved efficiency since the 1980s. I recently bought a new washing machine when my old front-load machine died. I was considering a top-load machine. When I compared Energy Star-certified top loaders to front loaders, I changed my mind. Energy Star-certified front loaders use about 50% less energy and water than top-load agitator washers and about 25% less energy and water than top-load impeller washers that don’t have an agitator.

My new washer cost $698. According to the appliance’s EnergyGuide label, based on six loads of laundry per week and an electricity cost of 15 cents per kWh, the yearly energy cost is $15. Similar

non-Energy Star-certified models’ energy costs were $48 per year.

I also had to make the decision about buying the matching dryer. My dryer was functional but had features I didn’t like. At 15 cents per kWh and running roughly six loads per week for an hour each, my old dryer cost just over $130 per year to use.

The new matching Energy Star-certified dryer cost $698 and estimated annual energy use at 607 kWh, which is $91.05 per year at 15 cents per kWh. With an estimated savings of $39 per year, the new dryer would take almost 18 years for the energy savings alone to offset the purchase price. That’s a long time.

Whichever appliance you are upgrading or replacing, make an informed decision by comparing the cost of operation and shopping Energy Starcertified models to help lower your electric bill.

Miranda Boutelle is the chief operating officer at Efficiency Services Group in Oregon, a cooperatively owned energy efficiency company. She has more than 20 years of experience helping people save energy at home.

Refrigerators

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The Next Generation of Search and Rescue

Students gain more than a degree at Western Colorado University

By Becky Jensen

Brad Tabor’s broken body came to rest at the bottom of a steep section of rugged trail, deep in the backcountry of Gunnison County.

One minute he was riding his off-road motorcycle up the dirt single-track, working his way around roots and rocks. The next minute, he lost his balance, put his foot down to catch himself, and felt his knee buckle with a sickening crunch. Brad was thrown from his bike, tumbling backward downhill. When he finally rolled to a stop, searing pain shot through his right leg. He was alone and badly injured, lying prone on an exposed mountainside at 11,000 feet above sea level. To make matters worse, storm clouds gathered overhead.

“I realized I was in big trouble,” Brad said.

Unable to put any weight on his leg, he crawled upslope to his fallen dirt bike, grabbed his two-way GPS satellite device, and triggered an SOS distress call. Raindrops began to fall.

With temperatures plunging and daylight fading, Brad hunkered down in the rain, trying to stay warm under his backpack. But as the storm intensified, his clothes quickly soaked through. Hail pelted his injured body. He shivered uncontrollably.

Then Brad heard sounds in the distance that gave him hope. Voices calling his name, faint at first, then

growing louder. They were the young, confident voices of Western Mountain Rescue Team based out of Western Colorado University in Gunnison.

WESTERN MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM

Formed in 1968 after a group of Western students organized a search for a missing professor, WMRT is now the largest search and rescue — SAR — team serving Gunnison County.

Like all 50 SAR teams in Colorado, WMRT falls under the authority of the local sheriff’s department, often collaborating with emergency services to assist and evacuate people from remote and rugged terrain. WMRT averages roughly 40 rescue calls per year.

It is also the only student-led, collegiate SAR team in Colorado and the only such team in the United States accredited by the Mountain Rescue Association, an organization that represents the gold standard for search, rescue, and mountain safety education.

YOUTH IS AN ASSET

Gunnison County Sheriff Adam Murdie deeply appreciates WMRT’s finely honed skills and its long history of serving the community. Spanning 3,260 square miles, Gunnison County’s large and diverse landscape makes responding to 911 calls “a geographical chal-

lenge, to say the least,” the sheriff said. He oversees three SAR teams in his jurisdiction, including WMRT, which boasts 35 to 50 active members on its roster at a given time. It’s also a team he uses frequently.

According to the sheriff, WMRT is one of the best technical teams in the state, specializing in large-scale wilderness search, high- and low-angle rope rescue, avalanche and winter rescue, and more. “I often get requests [from other agencies] to utilize them outside of Gunnison County.”

When asked about the median age of the young team, the sheriff replied, “Their youth, their strength, and stamina is an asset out there.”

Although WMRT reports to Sheriff Murdie, the team is housed and partially funded by Western Colorado University, where the team remains affiliated as a student service club.

COLLEGE IS MORE THAN A DEGREE

McKenzie McConnell, a senior at Western, joined WMRT as a freshman in fall 2022. “I didn’t have any rescue skills. It was all completely new to me, and that’s how it is for a lot of people.”

That perspective serves McKenzie well as a WMRT mission coordinator and as its all-important training coordinator, making sure each team member is well

prepared before they ever go on a call.

“We train to MRA safety standards, so our training schedule is very rigorous,” McKenzie said. Lives depend on it.

According to McKenzie, the biggest challenge for WMRT is team turnover. “It’s tough because students eventually graduate, so training has to be on point. Our timeline for getting people fieldable — up to rescue standard — is condensed, so we expect a lot from our team members while they’re here.”

This doesn’t mean training is rushed. It means training is intense, structured into a two-year program built around fall and spring semesters. In addition to their regular coursework, student members of WMRT attend weekly SAR lectures, receive medical instruction every other week, and perform overnight field trainings monthly. New members often log more than 200 volunteer hours during their first year on the team.

While WMRT is mainly student based, community members are welcome. McKenzie appreciates their perspective.

WMRT built my confidence with the basic skills of rescue, but it’s more than that. My critical thinking skills have been heavily developed on this team. I also gained more confidence as I moved into leadership roles. After graduation, I’m thinking about going into emergency services management.”

— McKenzie McConnell, WCU Student

continued from page 13

“They bring more understanding and life experience to our younger team,” she explained. “In many ways, younger people are still developing, still maturing. Our older members tend to have a more careful way of doing things.” She said community members lead by example and show student members that sometimes applying a slower, more methodical approach is better.

When McKenzie graduates in May with a degree in recreation and outdoor education, she will also leave with invaluable lessons learned during her four years of volunteering on the Western SAR team. “WMRT built my confidence with the basic skills of rescue, but it’s more than that. My critical thinking skills have been heavily developed on this team. I also gained more confidence as I moved into leadership roles.”

McKenzie added, “After graduation, I’m thinking about going into emergency services management.”

A CAREER-BUILDING EXPERIENCE

Ryan White, Deputy Emergency Manager and Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator for Gunnison County, is a prime example of how a student can leverage their SAR experience into a rewarding career.

As an incoming freshman in 2010, Ryan chose Western Colorado University over other schools across the country because of the strength and reputation of its SAR program. The service-oriented team environment really spoke to him. “It’s the story of many,” he said.

As the volunteer Director of Operations for WMRT, Ryan’s role is to “standardize our curriculum, foster leadership development, share institutional knowledge, and — above all else — preserve the spirit of the organization, which should always be student-led.”

There’s “a big misconception that WMRT is a bunch of kids playing rescue,” Ryan commented. Nothing could be further from the truth. MRA reaccreditation is intentionally tough, which serves the team well. And Ryan believes in the robust systems WMRT has built over time. He’s also confident in how the team’s highly trained mission coordinators, like McKenzie, lead their volunteer crews during emergency responses in extreme environments under pressure. “These students who lead missions are amazing, capable decision-makers in the field. I’ve seen it. I trust them.”

According to Ryan, his experience on WMRT directly impacted his career path. “Because of my mentors, and the right opportunities, I am where I am today. I get to be the Deputy EM for Gunnison County, which allows me to contribute back to the community that gave me those opportunities.”

His career trajectory and pay-it-forward mentality are not unusual for WMRT alums.

Scott Morrill joined the Western team as a student in 1978. After a 36-year career in public safety, Scott recently retired as the Director of Emergency Management for Gunnison County. “Joining the rescue team is still the best decision I’ve ever made,” he said. “I made lifelong friendships, and it paved the way for my entire professional career.”

Scott estimates that 75% of WMRT student members move on to some form of public safety career after graduation from WCU. Today, alums enjoy successful careers in emergency management, in statelevel SAR management, as rescue rangers at national parks, and expedition guides around the world.

“The idea that a bunch of young people — most just teenagers out of high school — are willing to put themselves at risk to help others, take time out of their lives to go on these intense trainings, pay for their own gear out of pocket, and be on call 24/7,” Scott said, “that’s what makes these students special.”

POST-RESCUE REFLECTION

Brad Tabor thinks his rescuers from WMRT are special, too. Back home in Texas, he has fully recovered from his dirt bike accident. Brad’s love of riding in the Colorado mountains hasn’t waned, and he often thinks about the amount of effort it took WMRT to rescue him in the high country that fateful day.

To reach him, the team hiked four steep miles while hauling a transport litter and heavy medical supplies. Once on scene, they assessed Brad’s injuries, wrapped him in a warm sleeping bag, scouted landing zones for the helicopter, loaded Brad onto the litter, carried him across mountain terrain to the extraction point, and handed him off to the paramedics aboard the chopper.

While Brad’s late-summer rescue was difficult, a snowy winter rescue is often harder, requiring more time, energy, and special equipment. Poor visibility, icy roads, and avalanche conditions can make winter extractions far more complex and dangerous for SAR teams like WMRT. But because of their frequent and rigorous training at elevation, the rescue team works like a well-oiled machine regardless of conditions. The students — tough, devoted, and exceptional at what they do — made Brad’s arduous medical evacuation look easy.

“Their professionalism and kindness were astonishing,” he recalled. Brad is still overwhelmed with gratitude more than a year later. After he was taken to a hospital by helicopter, he knew the WMRT ground crew faced a long hike out, carrying not only their own gear but Brad’s as well. “I couldn’t thank them enough.”

He also knows free rescues like his cost WMRT money.

So every year on his birthday, Brad asks for what he considers the perfect gift — donations made to WMRT through the Western Colorado University Foundation. “If it wasn’t for WMRT, I might not be here,” he said, marveling at the students’ selflessness.

“They are real heroes,” he said. “They exemplify bravery, compassion, and dedication. I am forever changed because of them. I am forever thankful.”

To learn more about Western Mountain Rescue Team, or to make a donation, visit western.edu/department/mountain-rescue.

Becky Jensen writes from a little cabin on a wild river in Northern Colorado and is the author of No Man’s Land: Unpacking One Woman’s Worth on the Colorado Trail. She’s also a proud member of Poudre Valley REA. You can find her at beckyjensenwrites.com.

Sacred Stone of the Southwest is on the Brink of Extinction

Centuries ago, Persians, Tibetans and Mayans considered turquoise a gemstone of the heavens, believing the striking blue stones were sacred pieces of sky. Today, the rarest and most valuable turquoise is found in the American Southwest–– but the future of the blue beauty is unclear.

On a recent trip to Tucson, we spoke with fourth generation turquoise traders who explained that less than five percent of turquoise mined worldwide can be set into jewelry and only about twenty mines in the Southwest supply gem-quality turquoise. Once a thriving industry, many Southwest mines have run dry and are now closed.

We found a limited supply of turquoise from Arizona and purchased it for our Sedona Turquoise Collection . Inspired by the work of those ancient craftsmen and designed to showcase the exceptional blue stone, each stabilized vibrant cabochon features a unique, one-of-a-kind matrix surrounded in Bali metalwork. You could drop over $1,200 on a turquoise pendant, or you could secure 26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise for just $99

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you aren’t completely happy with your purchase, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price.

The supply of Arizona turquoise is limited, don’t miss your chance to own the Southwest’s brilliant blue treasure. Call today!

Jewelry Specifications:

• Arizona turquoise • Silver-finished settings

Sedona Turquoise Collection

A. Pendant (26 cts)

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B. 18" Bali Naga woven sterling silver chain $149 +s&p

C. 1 1/2" Earrings (10 ctw)

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26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise ONLY $99

Connected Homes

The power of what’s plugged in

By Jennah Denney

Our homes are changing, and so is the electric grid. Across the country, more households are becoming “smart” and connected. From thermostats that adjust automatically to electric vehicles that charge overnight, the devices we plug in are becoming intelligent, flexible, and increasingly central to how we use and even produce electricity.

This growing network of connected devices creates new ways for electric co-ops and their members to work together to keep power reliable and affordable.

WHAT IS A CONNECTED HOME?

A connected home is one where everyday appliances and devices can communicate with each other, you, or even with your electric co-op. These could include thermostats that adjust to your patterns and preferences, water heaters that operate when electricity is cheaper, home batteries that store solar-generated power for later use, or air-source heat pumps that efficiently heat and cool your home.

Each of these tools can help you use energy more efficiently. When they are managed effectively, or when many homes coordinate and balance their energy use together, they can also help your co-op keep power flowing reliably and affordably for the entire community.

BEHIND

THE

METER: THE POWER YOU DON’T SEE

You might have heard the phrase “behind the meter.” This simply refers to energy equipment that operates on your side of the electric meter that you own or control. This could include solar panels, battery storage systems, or connected devices like EV chargers or smart thermostats.

Individually, they may seem small, but together they can make a big difference. If hundreds of water heaters slightly delay heating during a peak time of

day when electricity use is high, the co-op can avoid purchasing power at a higher cost, which essentially keeps rates lower for members. If home batteries store solar-generated energy during the day and release it back to the grid at night, it helps balance the overall supply and demand of electricity.

HOW CONNECTED DEVICES HELP THE GRID

Each day, our electric grid must maintain a perfect balance to match the amount of electricity generated with the amount of electricity we are using — all in real time. Because electricity can’t easily be stored at scale, this balancing act is constant and complex.

Connected devices give electric co-ops powerful new tools to help manage this complexity. Traditionally, electricity use was simple: Flip a switch and power flows instantly. But today, many devices can shift when and how they use energy, also known as load flexibility. Load flexibility allows you and your co-op to better align energy use during times when electricity is more affordable, without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

THE COOPERATIVE ADVANTAGE

Electric co-ops are led by the members they serve. That means co-ops can design connected home programs that work for your community where every member benefits from lower peak costs and improved reliability.

Together, we can build a grid that’s smarter, more flexible, and ready for the future that’s powered by what’s plugged in. Contact your local electric co-op or visit their website to learn more about programs for connected devices and additional ways you can save energy.

Jennah Denney writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives.

DateNight Dessert

Recipe by Kylee Coleman Editor

Staying in with your Valentine this year? Get the love — and chocolate — flowing. Cuddle up with your sweetie and these homemade chocolate lava cakes. Be sure to use a high-quality dark chocolate bar you’d eat plain — this is key to a delicious and decadent cake.

CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKES FOR TWO

INGREDIENTS

3 oz dark chocolate (60%-70% cacao), chopped

¼ cup unsalted butter

¾ cup powdered sugar

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

½ tsp vanilla extract

¼ cup all-purpose flour

Small pinch of salt

Butter and cocoa powder (for ramekins)

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 425°F. Generously butter two 6-ounce ramekins and dust with cocoa powder.

Melt the dark chocolate and butter together. Either microwave in 15-second increments, stirring between, or use a double boiler and stir until smooth.

Stir in powdered sugar. Whisk in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla until glossy. Gently fold in flour and salt just until combined.

Divide batter evenly between the two ramekins. Bake for 12-13 minutes, until edges are set but centers are soft. Let rest for 1 minute, then invert onto plates or serve directly from ramekins. For an even sweeter treat, serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

5 Ways to Age-Proof Your Home

Easy upgrades to improve the lives of older adults

Ahome is more than four walls — it is where birthdays are celebrated, holiday dinners shared, illnesses weathered, and losses mourned. Home is, as the saying goes, where the heart is.

It’s little wonder, then, most people want to remain in their homes as they age, based on AARP research. Yet, according to the United States Census Bureau, less than half of U.S. houses are equipped with accessibility features for older adults.

It doesn’t take a full remodel to make a home safer. Updates like installing handrails or improving hallway lighting can go a long way.

For those who need support in making these changes, programs like Helping Homebound Heroes, a partnership between Meals on Wheels America and The Home Depot Foundation, provide older veterans with essential home modifications and repairs.

“By improving safety and accessibility, we’re helping senior veterans stay in the places they love,” said Ellie Hollander, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “Our work is about preserving independence and dignity — helping older adults live safely, confidently, and with connection to their communities.”

Here are five small fixes that can add up to big peace of mind:

1. CREATE A SAFER ENTRYWAY.

For older adults, steps to the front door can be an obstacle. A ramp or zero-step entry allows for easier coming and going, and a covered porch or awning keeps walkways dry. Path lights improve visibility at night, and a sturdy bench by the door provides a place to rest or put groceries.

2.

UPGRADE THE BATHROOM.

According to multiple studies, falls in the bathroom are more likely to cause injury than in other parts of the home.

If you’re planning a bathroom project, start with small changes like adding raised toilet seats, installing toilet and shower grab bars, and replacing your shower head with a handheld model. For a more extensive remodel, install nonslip flooring and replace traditional tubs with walk-in showers.

3. IMPROVE FLOORING.

The flooring in your home can have a big impact on safety. If you have thick or loose carpet, consider replacing it with a low-pile option.

Slip-resistant flooring, such as vinyl or cork, also provides good traction and can be more forgiving than hardwood or tile. Simple visual cues can help, too. Transition strips between rooms or on stair edges make changes in floor level easier to see.

4. BRIGHTEN UP ROOMS.

Brighter overhead fixtures improve visibility, making it easier to spot steps, furniture, and other obstacles. Motion-sensor lights brighten bathrooms and hallways so it’s easier to move around safely at night.

5. KEEP ESSENTIALS WITHIN REACH.

Storing everyday items at waist or shoulder height reduces the need for stretching, bending, and climbing, all of which can increase the likelihood of falls. Sometimes a simple cabinet reorganization is enough, but features like pull-down shelving can make storage more accessible.

For more resources and support for older adults, visit mealsonwheelsamerica.org

Artisan Candlemakers

Shine Bright

Whether you’ve been in Colorado for two weeks or 20 years, you will love supporting artisans who are making beautiful and handcrafted candles. From Black Forest to Grand Junction, these candlemakers encourage sustainability, environmental impact, small-business culture, and community building. Each candle’s warm, soft lighting is a perfect addition to your own winter hygge-inspired glow during our coldest months.

By Jacey Blue Renner

CANDLE KITCHEN –GRAND JUNCTION

Candle connoisseurs will love the bespoke experience at Grand Junction’s Candle Kitchen. With more than 160 scents to select from, each soy wax candle is handcrafted for you in the shop. From container and label selection to scent blends, the choice is yours. The experts at Candle Kitchen will work to create your most memorable candle, ready same-day, just 2-4 hours after you’ve made your selections. High-quality scents, essential oils, and attention to details make each visit uniquely new. To learn more about how to create your own in-shop custom candle, visit candlekitchengj.com

BLUECORN CANDLES –MONTROSE

Bluecorn’s United States-sourced raw and ivory beeswax candles are lighting up Montrose. With all candles manufactured and sold in Colorado, every candle purchased supports and contributes to community impact. Bluecorn’s newest line, Aromatica, sources plantbased wax. From hand-dipped tapers that elevate family gatherings to seasonal scented candle tins like ponderosa pine, Bluecorn’s scent palate and design pay homage to Colorado’s Western Slope. To take a perfect-match candle quiz or find a local shop that carries Bluecorn candles, visit bluecorncandles.com.

OLD PINE CANDLE COMPANY – EVERGREEN

Now nestled in the foothills of Evergreen, Old Pine has long held roots in Colorado, with its beginnings taking shape in Denver. Family-focused and community-inspired, Old Pine Candle Company prides itself on its attention to environmental sustainability, including ecofriendly packaging and jarrecycling incentives. Each candle is 100% U.S. soy wax that can burn up to 50 hours. Try the Morning Light candle, with hints of palo santo and lavender. For more coziness, join the Old Pine Candle Club and receive a new scent monthly. Explore scents and more at oldpinecandleco.com

SOOTHING SCENTS SOY CANDLES – BLACK FOREST

With a background in botany, the owner of Soothing Scents Soy Candles, Gail Westmoreland, specializes in crafting botanical scents. Peach and jasmine are her personal favorites. As a small, one-woman-run business, each candle is made with her own hands before coming to yours. Consider pairing her Cinnamon Spruce candle — with notes of ginger, nutmeg, and evergreen spruce — with your winter reading nook. Curating a wide array of scent classifications, Soothing Scents Soy Candles has a scent for every home. Find your new favorite small-batch candle online at soothingscentssoycandles.com

Phil and Brenda Henderson, Empire Electric Association members, take a quick break from fishing and hiking adventures with friends in Coyhaique, Chile, to snap a photo with their copy of CCL.

Morgan County REA member Ann Archuleta travels to Istanbul, Turkey, and takes a photo with the magazine near Galata Tower.

Larry and Kathleen Bailey bring their CCL magazine on a recent trip to Petra, Jordan. The Baileys are members of Sangre de Cristo Electric Association.

de

the

Show us your adventures with the magazine for a chance to WIN $25.

Upload your photo with CCL at coloradocountrylife.coop Find more reader photos on Facebook @COCountryLife and Instagram @cocountrylife PACK. SNAP. SHARE. WIN!

Elizabeth and Alex Chang bring a little bit of Colorado to Taipei 101 — Taiwan’s tallest building — during a family trip over the holidays. The Changs are members of Poudre Valley REA.

Empire Electric Association member Lillian Orbke snaps a photo with the magazine at the Senbutsu Limestone Cave at Hiraodai Karst Plateau in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan.

WE WORK YEAR-ROUND TO REDUCE WILDFIRE RISK

Living in the rural West comes with undeniable wildfire risk, but it’s a fight we’re facing head-on.

At Tri-State G&T, we deploy data-driven monitoring and wildfire mitigation strategies to identify and mitigate risk to protect our communities and the critical infrastructure they rely on. We’ll do anything within our power to protect the people and places our members call home.

WHATEVER THE FUTURE HOLDS, WE’LL POWER IT.®

Scan to learn more or visit www.tristate.coop/wildfire

1Subject to availability, on a total purchase of 4 or more. Buy 2 windows or doors and get the second 2 windows or doors, of equal or lesser value, 50% off – applied to lowest priced window and/or door products in purchase. BOGO 50% off discount valid during first appointment only. Cannot be combined with other offers. To qualify for discount offer, initial contact for an appointment must be made and documented on or before 2/28/26 with the purchase then occurring on or before 3/10/26. Products are marketed, sold and installed (but not manufactured) by Renewal by Andersen retailers, which are independently owned and operated under Window Warmth, LLC d/b/a Renewal by Andersen of Colorado. CO Lic. # 244783. NM Lic. # 399874. See complete information and entity identification at www.rbaguidelines.com. ©2026 Andersen Corporation. ©2026 Lead Surge LLC. All rights reserved. 2Plan 4521. Subject to credit approval. Renewal by Andersen Retailer is neither a broker nor a lender. Rates range from 14.26% - 21.19% APR (interest rates range from 15.99% - 24.99%). Loan amount and rate will vary based on your income and creditworthiness. Monthly payments are not required during the Promo Period. Loans for the GreenSky® consumer loan program are provided by Synovus Bank, Member FDIC, NMLS #408043, without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, or familial status. GreenSky Servicing, LLC services the loans on behalf of your lender, NMLS #1416362.