Our History

Our Roots Run Deep

Like how our wires run through our service territory, so too does our concern for community flow through all our decisions – because being a co-op means we’ve been here for our members since our founding in 1939 till today and for tomorrow.

1939 – PVREA Founded

Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association, Inc. is founded by 600 members who paid $5 apiece for membership on November 2, 1939. An office is established in Severance, CO.

1942 – New Office

Our office is moved to 220 East Olive Street in Fort Collins, CO.

1962 – Service Territory Expands

PVREA builds a 69-kV transmission line to serve its mountain areas, such as Red Feather Lakes and Poudre Canyon.

1971 – New Logo

PVREA retires the yellow logo with Willie Wiredhand and adopts a new logo with patriotic red, white, and blue colors.

1972 – 10,000 Meters

Membership continues to grow.

1973 – New Office

PVREA moves its offices to 4809 S. College Avenue in Fort Collins, CO.

1983 – White Tuesday

The ice storm on May 17, 1983 causes the most damage to PVREA so far. Over 900 poles are damaged with outages almost two weeks long.

1989 – 50 Years

PVREA celebrates 50 years in service to our members.

1990 – 20,000 Meters

Membership continues to grow.

1995 – New Office

On September 11, 1995 PVREA breaks ground for a new office building, located east of I-25 off the Windsor exit, which is still the co-op headquarters today.

2001 – 30,000 Meters

Membership continues to grow.

2008 – The Smart Grid

PVREA deploys the installation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), improving the co-op’s grid reliability and power restoration time.

2012 – High Park Fire

Starting in June and burning over 98,000 acres, this fire damages 400 poles and 1,700 members lose power.

2013 – Flood

Abnormal rainfall and recent fire damage causes immense flooding, resulting in 2,600 members without power, damage to 150 poles and roughly 9 miles of line.

2015 – Largest Capital Credits Retirement in Co-op History

PVREA’s Board of Directors retire the largest capital credit amount in the cooperative’s history – $6 million.

2016 – 40,000 Meters

Membership continues to grow.

2019 – 80 by 30

On May 28, our Board sets a long-term energy supply goal to provide 80% carbon-free energy to members by 2030.

2020 – COVID-19 Pandemic

PVREA adapts to continually serve our members.

2020 – Cameron Peak Fire

As the largest wildfire in CO history, it burns over 208,000 acres, 43 miles of line, and causes over $4 million of damage to our system.

2021 – Microgrid Technology

Alongside local, regional, and national partners, we test the waters for Microgrid and battery storage adoption with a pilot project in Red Feather Lakes, CO.

The Future

We will continue to focus on carrying out our mission of power and empowering the communities we serve.