Core

What Core does

CORE Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Sedalia, Colorado, founded in 1938 (formerly Intermountain Rural Electric Association, rebranded to CORE). It is the largest electric distribution cooperative in Colorado and one of the largest in the United States, serving more than 164,000 member-owners representing nearly 400,000 residents across approximately 5,000 square miles spanning 11 counties along Colorado's Front Range. CORE distributes electricity to residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural/irrigation customers and operates a modern grid technology stack including Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), the SmartHub digital account management platform (developed by NISC), Energy Analytics powered by disaggregation-based technology, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) at new 100 MW substations (Monte Ridge and Timber Mill).

CORE's technology-enabled member products include SmartHub (web and mobile apps for bill payment, energy use monitoring, service start/stop, and outage reporting), Energy Analytics (appliance-level usage breakdown), CORE Cool Credits (smart thermostat demand response via partner Uplight), CLEAN Power Choice (renewable energy credits), COREV EV charging programs (Connect, Charge, Community Charge), Advance Pay (prepaid billing), and Capital Credits (member profit-sharing). The cooperative has implemented a three-part rate structure across residential, small general service, large power, industrial, and irrigation schedules, with a 6.7% average rate increase effective January 2026.

The cooperative monetizes primarily through regulated kWh and demand-based electricity sales, supplemented by capital investments through Plant Investment Fees for new construction, demand-side programs, and renewable energy credit sales. Recent strategic moves include the January 2026 Invenergy partnership delivering 1.2 TWh/year of renewable supply, Uplight demand flexibility partnership, two 100 MW substation+BESS projects, and a clean energy transition that has lifted the renewable share of energy supply from under 10% in 2013 to 41.5% in 2025. The cooperative is governed by a seven-member elected board with executive leadership under CEO Pam Feuerstein (25+ years energy industry experience, joined CORE in 2010) and returns margins to members as capital credits ($12.25 million in September 2025, over $120 million over the past decade).

Name

Core

Legal name

CORE Electric Cooperative

Website

https://core.coop

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

CORE Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative serving 164,000+ members across 11 counties along Colorado's Front Range. Operating nearly 5,000 square miles of service territory, it delivers regulated electricity sales, AMI/smart-grid programs, demand response, EV charging, and renewable energy credits to residential, commercial, and industrial customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Utility Services

NAICS

Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities) (EUADABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

DER Dispatch, Aggregation & Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Integration (EUADALAI), Demand Response & Load Flexibility Services (EUAMAJAF), DER Aggregation & Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) (EUAMAJAC), Distributed Storage (Behind-the-Meter Batteries) (EUAMAJAE), Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD)

Keywords

• Electric distribution services
• Electric utility cooperative
• Renewable energy credits
• EV charging infrastructure
• Demand response programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Sedalia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Electricity Sales - Residential: CORE generates revenue through residential electricity sales using a three-part rate structure comprising a basic service charge ($20/month), energy charge ($0.1155/kWh as of January 2026), and demand charge ($5.47/kW for on-peak usage during 4-8pm). Residential members represent the primary customer base of over 164,000 members.
2. Electricity Sales - Commercial & Industrial: Revenue from small general service (SG1, SG3), large power service (LPS), industrial service, and other commercial rate schedules. Each rate class has specific basic service charges, demand charges per kW, and per-kWh energy charges.
3. CLEAN Power Choice Renewable Energy Credits: Members can purchase renewable energy credits to offset their electricity usage. 100% Offset option at $0.00550/kWh or Block Purchase option at $0.55/month per 100-kWh block. Generates additional revenue while supporting renewable energy investment.
4. Demand Flexibility Programs: Partnership with Uplight to deploy demand flexibility solutions including smart thermostat demand response programs. Revenue is generated through grid management services that reduce peak demand and improve reliability.
5. COREV EV Charging Programs: COREV Connect rewards members with annual credit for connecting EV to platform. COREV Charge provides EV chargers for members. Community Charge network offers public EV chargers with discounted rates for members.
6. New Construction Service Fees: Plant Investment Fee (PIF) of $2.50 per amp, per phase for new or expanded services up to 3,000 kVA. Project application fees and construction contract payments for new service installations.
7. Net Metering and Rooftop Solar Interconnection: Nearly 9,000 members with rooftop solar interconnected to the grid. Net metering for systems 10kW or less. Avoided cost payments for excess generation delivered to the grid ($0.04473/kWh through April 2026).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CORE Electric Cooperative is a member-owned not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative that distributes electricity to over 164,000 member-owners (representing nearly 400,000 residents) across 11 counties along Colorado's Front Range spanning nearly 5,000 square miles. It offers residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural electric service under tiered rate schedules, complemented by member programs including CLEAN Power Choice renewable energy credits, COREV EV charging, CORE Cool Credits smart thermostat demand response, Advance Pay prepaid billing, and SmartHub-based digital account management.

Product overview

CORE Electric Cooperative operates as a member-owned not-for-profit electric utility serving approximately 164,000+ members across nearly 5,000 square miles in Colorado. CORE's member-facing product portfolio centers on SmartHub, a comprehensive account management platform (developed by NISC) providing bill payment, energy usage monitoring, outage reporting, and service management. Key add-on programs include: Energy Analytics (appliance-level usage insights via disaggregation technology), CORE Cool Credits (smart thermostat demand response via Uplight), CLEAN Power Choice (renewable energy credits), Capital Credits (member profit-sharing), Advance Pay (prepay billing), and EV charging programs (COREV Connect and COREV Community Charge). CORE also provides wholesale power supply partnerships with Invenergy (1.2 TWh renewable energy annually starting 2026) and is building new substations with battery energy storage systems to support grid capacity and reliability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• COREV: Electric vehicle charging program offering COREV Charge and COREV Connect options for residential EV charging.
• CORE Cool Credits
• CLEAN Power Choice
• Energy Analytics
• Advance Pay

Products and services

• Electric Distribution Service Core electricity delivery service offered to residential (Schedule A, AT, C), commercial small general service (SG1, SG3), large power service (LPS), industrial service (S), and agricultural irrigation (I) members under a three-part rate structure with basic service charge, energy charge per kWh, and demand charge per kW. Effective January 1, 2026, residential energy charge is $0.1155/kWh with a $20/month basic service charge and $5.47/kW on-peak demand charge.
• New Construction Service Electric service installation for new construction addresses including line extension estimator, online application, designer consultation, and construction scheduling. Plant Investment Fee of $2.50 per amp per phase for new or expanded Permanent or Indeterminate services up to 3,000 kVA.
• CLEAN Power Choice Renewable energy credit program allowing members to match electricity usage with renewable sources via a 100% Offset Option ($0.00550/kWh) or Block Purchase Option ($0.55/month per 100-kWh block). Renewable Energy Credits are retired on the member's behalf up to 100% of annual consumption.
• COREV Connect Residential EV charging rewards program paying members $15 annual credit for connecting their EV to CORE's platform. Compatible with 95% of EVs.
• COREV Community Charge CORE-owned public EV charger network with Level 2 and Level 3 chargers across the service area. CORE members receive a discounted rate upon enrollment in CORE's discounted driver group.
• CORE Cool Credits Smart thermostat demand response program with $25 enrollment bonus per device (maximum 2 devices). Members earn participation credits: $5 for 25-49% event participation, $15 for 50-79%, and $25 for 80%+. Thermostat temperatures are adjusted during peak demand events through Uplight integration.
• Advance Pay Prepay billing plan with no deposits, no monthly bills, and no due dates. Minimum initial prepaid credit balance of $25 with $15 minimum payment. Energy usage cost is deducted daily at 9 a.m.

Quantifiable outcome

• Returned $12.25 million in capital credits to members in September 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UplightcoreTechnology or Integration · 28 January 2026Uplight provides demand flexibility solutions for CORE including smart thermostat demand response programs, virtual power plants, and online marketplaces with bilingual support. This partnership helps CORE manage peak demand, reduce costs, and improve grid reliability. CORE also participates in Uplight's CORE Cool Credits smart thermostat program where members earn bill credits for participating in demand response events.
• InvenergycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 January 2026CORE announced a landmark wholesale power supply partnership with Invenergy providing more than 1.2 terawatt-hours of renewable energy per year starting in 2026. This partnership is a significant step in CORE's clean energy transformation and will provide renewable power to CORE's members across Colorado's Front Range.
• Imperial Irrigation DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 January 2026Partnership through Uplight to deploy demand flexibility solutions for public power providers and cooperatives serving California.
• Santee CooperminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 January 2026Partnership through Uplight to provide demand flexibility solutions for cooperatives serving South Carolina.
• Connecticut Green BankminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 January 2026Partnership with Connecticut Green Bank to streamline customer enrollment in Connecticut's Energy Storage Solutions program.
• Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS)minorOthersCORE uses wildfire risk data from Colorado State Forest Service's Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal and updated 2023 assessment with Technosylva fire simulation data to build internal risk maps for strategic undergrounding and system hardening decisions.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Holy Cross Energy: Colorado-based member-owned electric cooperative serving the Vail Valley and Roaring Fork Valley. Highly comparable as a Colorado cooperative peer pursuing aggressive renewable targets, with former CORE executive Chris Hildred previously serving there.
• Snapping Shoals EMC: Georgia EMC serving approximately 100,000 members in the Atlanta metro. Comparable as a mid-to-large distribution cooperative with growing rooftop solar and EV programs.
• Cobb EMC: Georgia electric membership corporation serving over 200,000 meters in metro Atlanta. Comparable as a member-owned distribution cooperative with significant AMI, solar, and EV program deployments.
• Inland Power & Light: Washington-state member-owned cooperative serving around 40,000 members across a wide geographic area. Comparable as a distribution cooperative investing in renewable resources and grid modernization.
• Connexus Energy: Minnesota-based member-owned electric cooperative serving more than 150,000 homes and businesses. Directly comparable as a large distribution-focused cooperative investing in renewables, AMI, and demand-response programs.
• Tri-County Electric Cooperative (Texas): Texas distribution cooperative serving a large multi-county territory. Comparable as a member-owned distribution cooperative serving rural-to-suburban territory with similar rate structures and renewable programs.
• Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation: North Carolina EMC serving more than 90,000 meters along coastal North Carolina. Comparable as a member-owned distribution cooperative with similar programs in solar interconnection, demand response, and capital credit retirements.
• Pedernales Electric Cooperative: Largest electric distribution cooperative in the U.S. by members, serving more than 400,000 meters across central Texas. Highly comparable as a large, fast-growing member-owned distribution cooperative with significant renewable and grid-modernization initiatives.
• NOVEC (Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative): Virginia-based member-owned distribution cooperative serving more than 170,000 customers in a high-growth suburban corridor. Comparable scale, growth dynamics, and customer mix to CORE's Front Range territory.

Broad incumbents

• Xcel Energy: Investor-owned utility serving Colorado and seven other states; operates Comanche Unit 3 (where CORE has a power-share) and competes in adjacent service territory. Comparable as a Colorado electric utility with overlapping generation resources and wildfire mitigation programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CORECooperative
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCqeVcHflzAjt423KhOFA-Cg
• Facebookfacebook.com/CORECooperative
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/CORE-Cooperative
• Instagraminstagram.com/CORECooperative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Core