PRPA: Platte River History

Northern Colorado in the 1960s was poised on the brink of change. From the individual homeowner to the industrial giant, times were changing. Towns and cities were swept up in social revolution as members of a large, new demographic segment called "babyboomers" freely voiced their opinions and desires. Changing, too, was the way cities and towns in Colorado were supplied with the basics - water and power.

Platte River Power Authority evolved from the Platte River Municipal Power Association, a consortium of 31 municipalities created in 1966. Four municipalities out of the original 31 banded together in 1973, to create an economically self-sustaining non-profit electric utility owned by the residents served by each local utility. Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont, and Loveland looked to Platte River to provide supplemental power beyond their federal hydropower interests. After a period of time, the four owner cities came to depend on Platte River to provide the affordable, reliable electricity their citizens had come to rely upon. "Platte River is privileged to supply electric energy to the four municipalities and to contribute to the economic vitality of their dynamic communities. With this privilege goes the obligation not only to build for new energy supplies but also to conserve existing ones," stated Albert J. Hamilton, Platte River's first general manager.

Well, it's been 25 years and Platte River and its dedicated staff continue the traditions and commitments made those many years ago. At the same time, we've evolved to meet the changing needs of our four owner cities.

In the beginning, our Board of Directors numbered four - one from each owner city. By 1980 the Board had expanded to two Directors representing each city. It continues today with eight members, the mayor (or their designees) and utility director from each city, working together to continue Platte River's leadership within the electric utility industry.

We started out being careful with our financial operations since we had to answer to all of the citizens living in the four owner cities. We were determined to keep wholesale rates to the cities at a level where there would never be a question as to affordability. As a result, our wholesale rates to the owner cities have remained the same for seven years and their customers' rates are among the lowest in Colorado.

Our power plants, Rawhide and Craig, continue performing at a high level of efficiency. We've made additions, improvements, and modifications over the 15 years it has been in commercial operation. The Rawhide Energy Station remains a model for other utilities due to the environmental standards that we set by having the best air quality control systems installed during construction. We listened to the people as they spoke at neighborhood meetings and public hearings - and we acted.

We earned a positive reputation on Wall Street in the beginning due to the uncompromising personality of Mr. Hamilton, general manager 1973-1984. That reputation has continued under the leadership of Jim Pendergrass 1984-1987, and Thaine Michie 1987-1998, with Platte River enjoying superior bond ratings as one of the top joint-action power agencies in the United States.

Twenty-five years can be a lifetime or just the beginning. We believe it's the beginning of a lifetime of commitment to public power.


Albert J. Hamilton	James D. Pendergrass
General Manager	General Manager
1973-1984	1984-1987

Thaine J. Michie	Brian Moeck
General Manager	General Manager
1987-1998	4/99 to Present