Sangre de Cristo Electric Association

What Sangre de Cristo Electric Association does

Sangre de Cristo Electric Association, Inc. (SDCEA) is a not-for-profit, member-owned rural electric cooperative founded in 1940 and headquartered in Buena Vista, Colorado. The cooperative distributes electricity through approximately 1,874 miles of energized line and 16,574 poles across five Colorado counties — Lake, Chaffee, Fremont, Custer, and Saguache — serving 14,721 consumer-members at the close of 2025, with roughly 8 consumers per mile of line. Power is procured wholesale from Tri-State Generation and Transmission and delivered to members partly through wheeling agreements with Black Hills Energy and Xcel Energy. SDCEA operates an Advanced Metering Infrastructure system with Star Link communications, an Outage Management System, the SmartHub online account management platform, and a 24/7 outage dispatch line staffed by live representatives.

The cooperative generated $25,233,595 in operating revenue in 2025, with residential service contributing 73.6% ($18.58M), small commercial 22% ($5.54M), large commercial 2.4% ($608K), irrigation 0.7% ($174K), and street lighting 0.4% ($110K). Members are billed under a two-part structure during 2024–early 2026, transitioning on July 1, 2026 to a three-part rate that separates Service Availability, Energy ($0.13026/kWh), and Peak Demand ($2.50/kW, 5–9 p.m. Mon–Sat). Additional member-facing offerings include net metering (853 accounts at 5.6 MW), a renewable energy block program ($0.40 per 100-kWh block), energy efficiency rebates, capital credit retirements, and three 2025 pilots covering water heater controllers, managed EV charging, and residential battery storage.

Strategic priorities visible in the data are grid hardening, wildfire mitigation, and broadening member-side flexibility to manage wholesale power costs. The renewable share of the power supply reached 49% in 2025, supported by the 2.5 MW Trout Creek Solar project built under a power purchase agreement with juwi Inc. and additional net-metered solar, wind, and hydro. SDCEA operates with 45 full-time employees headed by CEO Jon Beyer (appointed July 7, 2025) under a board governance structure, is exploring a utility-scale battery at the Buena Vista Substation for peak shaving, and continues to pursue cooperative-margin-funded reinvestment, including 14 additional miles of underground line in 2025.

Name

Sangre de Cristo Electric Association

Legal name

Sangre de Cristo Electric Association, Inc.

Website

https://myelectric.coop

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sangre de Cristo Electric Association is a not-for-profit, member-owned rural electric cooperative founded in 1940 that distributes electricity to approximately 14,721 consumer-members across five Colorado counties, operating 1,874 miles of line with 45 employees and $25.2M in 2025 revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Buena Vista

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Residential Electric Service: Primary revenue stream from residential electricity sales, accounting for approximately 73.6% of operating revenue ($18.58M in 2025). Residential members pay a three-part rate structure including Service Availability Charge, Energy Charge (kWh), and Peak Demand Charge (kW).
2. Small Commercial Electric Service: Commercial electricity sales to small businesses, representing approximately 22% of operating revenue ($5.54M in 2025).
3. Green Energy Program: Members can purchase renewable energy blocks at $0.40 monthly surcharge per 100-kWh block, with minimum one-year commitment. Helps fund renewable energy procurement.
4. Capital Credits: As a not-for-profit cooperative, revenues above cost of service are allocated back to members as capital credits. SDCEA refunds capital credits periodically (e.g., $239,080 to members in 2023, $500,000 in 2024).
5. Irrigation Electric Service: Electric service for irrigation operations, representing approximately 0.7% of operating revenue ($173,875 in 2025).
6. Large Commercial Electric Service: Electric service for large commercial accounts, representing approximately 2.4% of operating revenue ($608,302 in 2025).
7. Street Lighting: Street lighting service, representing approximately 0.4% of operating revenue ($110,137 in 2025).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (SDCEA) is a not-for-profit rural electric cooperative that distributes electricity to approximately 14,721 consumer accounts across five Colorado counties (Chaffee, Fremont, Custer, Lake, and Saguache). The cooperative delivers power through 1,874 miles of energized line and offers member services including the SmartHub online account management platform, net metering, renewable energy programs, energy efficiency rebates, and pilot programs for water heater controllers, managed EV charging, and residential battery storage.

Product overview

Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (SDCEA) is a not-for-profit rural electric cooperative providing core electricity distribution services to approximately 14,786 consumer accounts across five Colorado counties. The cooperative operates a comprehensive portfolio including the SmartHub online account management platform for billing and service management. SDCEA offers member-facing programs including energy efficiency rebates, net metering for distributed generation (853 accounts, 5.6 MW capacity), renewable energy purchasing options, and new pilot programs for water heater controllers, managed EV charging, and residential batteries. Recent initiatives include the Trout Creek Solar project (2.5 MW utility-scale) and a proposed utility-scale battery at the Buena Vista Substation. The cooperative also supports the community through grant programs, youth scholarships, and consumer loans. A major rate restructure in July 2026 introduces a 3-part rate structure with demand-based pricing to better align costs with system usage patterns.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Electric Power Distribution Core electricity distribution service providing reliable electric energy to residential, commercial, agricultural, and municipal members across five Colorado counties (Chaffee, Fremont, Custer, Lake, and Saguache) via 1,874 miles of energized line.
• SmartHub Online Account Management Online portal enabling members to pay bills, manage accounts, view usage, start/stop service, and make one-time payments 24/7 via web and mobile.
• Water Heater Controller Pilot Program Pilot program allowing members to control water heater operation during peak demand hours to reduce electricity costs and manage system demand.
• Managed Electric Vehicle Charging Pilot Program Pilot program managing EV charging schedules to optimize when members charge vehicles during lower-cost, lower-demand periods.
• Residential Battery Pilot Program Pilot program for residential battery storage, enabling members to store energy for use during peak demand periods.
• Renewable Energy Program (Green Energy) Program allowing members to purchase blocks of renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro) with a monthly surcharge of $0.40 per 100-kWh block, minimum one-year commitment.
• Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs Rebates and incentives for energy-efficient appliances, electric heating systems, and new construction projects including high-efficiency all-electric heating installations.
• Net Metering Program Program for members with solar, wind, or hydro generation systems that banks excess energy generated during the day to offset usage when not self-generating. Includes 853 net meter accounts totaling 5.6 MW capacity as of 2025.
• Wildfire Mitigation & Vegetation Management Safety program focusing on vegetation management surrounding power lines and system modifications during high-risk fire periods to reduce wildfire ignition risks and ensure uninterrupted power supply.
• Capital Credits Not-for-profit cooperative program returning margins to members as capital credits; members receive allocations based on patronage and retirement checks when credits are returned (e.g., $239,080 in 2023 and $500,000 in 2024).
• Trout Creek Solar 2.5 MW utility-scale solar project located at the Buena Vista Correctional Facility, providing renewable energy through a power purchase agreement with juwi, Inc. Combined with Trout Creek, total system capacity reaches 7.6 MW.
• Auto Pay Program Automatic payment option allowing members to set up recurring bill payments for convenience.
• Prepay Billing Alternative billing option allowing members to pay for electricity in advance rather than receiving traditional monthly bills.
• Three-Part Rate Structure with Demand Charge New rate structure effective July 1, 2026 separating costs into Service Availability Charge (fixed access), Energy Charge per kWh (reduced to $0.13026 from $0.14370), and Peak Demand Charge ($2.50 per kW during 5-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday peak hours).

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.98% electric service availability (ASAI index)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Noble Resource Group (formerly Integrity Tree Service)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 27 May 2026SDCEA's vegetation management contractor responsible for rights-of-way clearing and tree trimming essential for wildfire mitigation and power line safety. Officially changed name from Integrity Tree Service to Noble Resource Group in 2026.
• Cross Discipline EngineeringminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Engineering contractor working in SDCEA's field, currently operating in Querida area in Custer County. Provides additional field engineering capacity for SDCEA infrastructure projects.
• Black Hills EnergycoreTechnology or Integration · 3 July 2024Transmission provider delivering power to SDCEA members in southern service territory through wheeling agreement with Tri-State. Standard practice across nation's electric grids for delivering power to remote areas.
• Xcel EnergycoreTechnology or Integration · 3 July 2024Transmission provider delivering power to SDCEA members in northern service territory through wheeling agreement with Tri-State. Standard practice across nation's electric grids for delivering power to remote areas.
• Main ElectricminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 27 May 2024Contractor hired by SDCEA for line rebuild project in Cherry Creek area outside of Howard. Part of ongoing commitment to improve service reliability for members through infrastructure upgrades.
• Fading WestminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024Buena Vista housing builder partnered with SDCEA for Midland Apartments project. Through a partnership with SDCEA's wholesale power supplier Tri-State, Fading West qualified for $218,600 in energy rebates for high-efficiency all-electric heating systems in the 60-unit workforce housing development.
• Colorado Rural Electric Association (CREA)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Trade association representing 21 Colorado cooperative members. CREA provides communications support, director education, safety programs for line crews, and legislative advocacy. SDCEA participates in CREA awards and training programs.
• Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018SDCEA's wholesale power supplier providing electricity that SDCEA distributes through its lines. Tri-State contracts for hydro, solar, and wind-generated power from renewable energy producers. SDCEA has maintained its partnership with Tri-State as its energy services and wholesale power supplier. Tri-State plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 89% in Colorado by 2030 from a 2005 baseline.
• juwi Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Selected by SDCEA Board of Directors to construct and operate Trout Creek Solar, a 2.5 MW utility-scale solar project on grounds of Buena Vista Correctional Facility. juwi will construct and operate the facility while SDCEA purchases the power produced through a power purchase agreement. juwi is an international company with Boulder-based subsidiary that has completed more than 420 MW of projects in the US.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• San Isabel Electric Association: Colorado rural electric cooperative serving mountain communities adjacent to SDCEA's territory. Most directly comparable peer — same state, similar size, same cooperative model, and former employer of SDCEA's new CEO Jon Beyer.
• Holy Cross Energy: Member-owned electric cooperative serving the Vail Valley and surrounding Colorado mountain communities. Comparable rural mountain service territory, similar member-owned governance, and similar exposure to wildfire and seasonal demand.
• La Plata Electric Association: Colorado rural electric cooperative serving Durango and surrounding rural areas. Same Tri-State G&T wholesale relationship, same cooperative structure, similar wildfire mitigation and renewable energy program portfolio.
• Mountain Parks Electric: Colorado rural electric cooperative serving Grand and Jackson counties. Similar small-scale mountain cooperative profile, Tri-State member, comparable density profile and customer mix.
• Grand Valley Power: Colorado rural electric cooperative serving the Grand Junction area. Tri-State member with comparable member-owned structure and program offerings including net metering and renewable blocks.

Broad incumbents

• Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association: Wholesale power supplier to SDCEA and 40+ other electric cooperatives across the West. Relevant as the upstream counterparty that defines SDCEA's cost of service, generation mix, and renewable strategy.
• Basin Electric Power Cooperative: Large generation and transmission cooperative serving member coops across the upper Midwest and West. Provides industry benchmark for cooperative-scale utility capital structure and generation mix.
• Xcel Energy: Investor-owned utility that delivers power to SDCEA's northern service territory through a wheeling agreement. Adjacent incumbent serving the same Colorado geography with overlapping capability.
• Black Hills Energy: Investor-owned utility delivering power to SDCEA's southern service territory through a Tri-State wheeling agreement. Comparable to Xcel as a neighboring transmission provider in Colorado.

Others

• CoBank: Cooperative Farm Credit System bank that lends to rural electric cooperatives including distribution coops across the West. Relevant as the primary lender to SDCEA-class cooperatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SDCEA_Inc
• Facebookfacebook.com/SDCEA.Inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/sdceaenergy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sangre-de-cristo-electric-association-inc.

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Sangre de Cristo Electric Association