Sustainability

CORE Electric Cooperative’s service area encompasses the breathtaking plains, majestic canyons and lush forested mountains that make this part of the world so special. We proudly serve historic small towns and vibrant, growing cities. But we do more than just deliver safe and reliable power to this area: we live here, too. For CORE, the vitality of our diverse ecosystems and communities is personal.

This deep appreciation for the region drives us to be responsible stewards of the environment while delivering exceptional value to our members as both an innovative energy provider and a trusted energy adviser. Through our mission of improving lives and communities through choice and innovation, we will continue to achieve what our founding members started in 1938: providing our members The Energy to Thrive.

CORE’s 2030 Clean Energy Plan, approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment in 2024, outlines how CORE will align with Colorado’s objective of reducing carbon emissions by 80% by 2030. Our plan creates more flexibility to implement battery storage and other technologies in the future, along with dispatchable thermal generation resources when needed. This responsibly diversified portfolio stabilizes CORE’s costs to keep members’ rates competitive in Colorado for years to come.

Wildfire mitigation

Much of CORE’s 5,000-square-mile service area is at high risk for wildfires. We follow a comprehensive wildfire mitigation plan that safeguards our members, our employees and the electric grid.

Inspection programs, continuous proactive vegetation management and system hardening with improved engineering, equipment and facilities are among our ongoing procedures.

New technology, such as a cutting-edge weather monitoring platform, advanced satellite imagery, non-expulsion fuses, covered conductors, line sensors and panoramic cameras and procedures and protocols that facilitate quick emergency response and restoration, are also part of our robust wildfire mitigation strategy.

Avian protection plan

CORE follows a comprehensive aviation protection plan (APP) to protect avian species while maintaining reliability. The plan includes the latest recommendations, guidelines and laws from conservation organizations and regulatory agencies to help CORE reduce bird deaths and injuries.

CORE Pollinators

As part of our environmental goals, CORE launched the Pollinators Program in 2024 and welcomed two honeybee hives on the Sedalia headquarters property. Our honeybees will support and enhance natural resources vital for resilient landscapes within the communities we serve. These hives also allow CORE to host STEM events and share the crucial education needed to help preserve and protect pollinators.

COREV

CORE offers two residential electric vehicle charger programs: COREV Charge and COREV Connect. Both options support the increasing number of CORE members with EVs but are tailored for members’ different levels of need.

COREV Charge is designed for members who would like to use a CORE-provided EV charger and may or may not need assistance to provide adequate wiring for the EV charger.

COREV Connect rewards participating members with an annual credit for connecting their own charger to CORE’s platform. This data helps determine future grid and EV program needs.

Community Charge

To support growing electric vehicle ownership, CORE maintains a network of Level 2 and 3 EV chargers across our service area.

All chargers are open to the general public, but CORE members are entitled to a discounted rate upon enrollment in CORE’s discounted driver group.

With solar panels on our headquarters’ covered parking, free charging for employees, EVs in our fleet and public chargers, we continue to reduce our environmental footprint and prepare for the increasing electrification of transportation.

SmartHub platform

Members get a detailed look at past and current power use and weather trends by the month, day or hour. They can view and compare two past monthly bills side-by-side and determine if changes in energy-use habits or use of a new appliance is making a difference. The Plan and Save feature provides the ability to track energy actions taken and see the planning markers on the graph for that time period. This rich source of data is available to all members for free.

Advance Pay

Advance Pay Members have control of when, the amount, and how they pre-pay toward their credit balance. There are no deposits, no monthly bills and no due dates. Members who use Advance Pay receive alerts when their balance runs low, and can then add to it easily 24/7.

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)

AMI provides usage data to members so they can make informed decisions on their energy usage. AMI also reduces the number of truck rolls required to manage members’ meters, reducing vehicle emissions, and allowing for a wider variety of rate structures. CORE is a leader in AMI implementation by finalizing the move to smart meters in 2020, well before most other large utilities in Colorado.

Rooftop Solar

We counsel members in the installation of rooftop solar. As of mid-2024, more than 9,000 members with rooftop solar are interconnected to our system and offer a combined potential capacity of 50-plus megawatts and growing.

Clean Power Choice

Members can match their energy usage with renewable energy sources without the upfront investment required by rooftop solar, wind turbines or even home ownership. By enrolling in CLEAN Power Choice, members can claim credits of renewable energy on the grid and support renewable energy generation investment at their preferred level.

Security

CORE’s strong commitment to security includes deploying leading technologies, dedicated staff, mandatory training, vulnerability scans and proactive monitoring of cybersecurity threats. CORE’s control center maintains the highest standards of protection and leverages best-in-class consulting to support a high degree of industry compliance and reliability. We also focus on substation security through 24-hour surveillance.

Community giving

CORE gives to and partners with hundreds of local nonprofits and other community organizations. Nearly $500,000 annually goes into communities through board-recommended and approved causes, including:
• Parks and recreation
• Music, arts and culture
• Economic hardship
• Health and wellness
• Military and first responder groups
• Senior citizens
• Education and youth causes

• Business, commerce and economic development

Volunteerism

Our employee volunteer program allows CORE employees to spend a workday volunteering at a local nonprofit or charity and supports activities that enhance and serve the communities in which we live and work.

Education grants

Since 1988, CORE’s Board of Directors has awarded grants to graduating high school seniors who plan to continue their education. Thirty-five grants — five per director district — of $2,000 each are awarded annually. Grant recipients are chosen via a lottery-type drawing, as there are no scholastic requirements.

Regional engagement

Being a valued partner within the communities we serve is a cornerstone of CORE’s efforts. Our leadership and board are involved throughout the service area, sitting on boards and participating in organizations that support local communities. CORE aids new and existing business members in navigating issues and enlisting support for their growth and prosperity.

CORE espoused governance well before it was a trend. Cooperatives are unique entities; democratic governance and ownership are among our founding principles.

CORE is owned by members, and each has a say in how we do business. Every four years, members elect a district representative to serve as their voice on the Board of Directors. No other business model offers such a direct relationship between the utility and the people it serves.

CORE is not beholden to stockholders or investors. Margins are invested back into the grid and capital credits are returned to members. We use our full and independent rate-setting authority as necessary to ensure the organization’s financial stability.