Wyoming
Rural Wyoming Co-ops To Get More Green Power From Colorado-Based…
The parent group of several rural electricity cooperatives operating in Wyoming has reached a major milestone in a complex energy transition plan that it hopes will hold the line on wholesale power rates with a boost coming from a growing supply of green power.
Colorado-based Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, a supplier of electricity to cooperatives across the Western United States that was founded more than 75 years ago, has launched a new power buying program to help keep the lid on rates. That’s after its largest member in Colorado paid $627 million to leave Tri-State with the hope of finding cheaper power supply deals elsewhere.
Following the move, a major credit rating agency upgraded the association’s billions of dollars in debt July 31, a move that will improve the organization’s future borrowing costs needed to implement a future green power spending plan.
Tri-State is focused on buying electricity wholesale from suppliers for either their own use, or because they are a supplier to retail or industrial consumers.
Tri-State is optimistic that its new power buying program that relies on green power delivered over hundreds of miles of high-voltage transmission lines in Wyoming and other adjoining states will keep wholesale rates in check.
The new power buying opportunity for rural Wyoming electricity cooperatives is the result of a federal regulatory agency decision made earlier this month.
The agency, called the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission (FERC) regulates high-voltage power lines in the United States, including transmission delivery rates.
This month, FERC approved a plan submitted by Tri-State, the parent of Wyoming’s electric cooperatives, that effectively gives them the flexibility to draw up to 40% of their power needs through a new program designed to move green power over the high-voltage grid, called Bring Your Own Resource (BYOR).
There are eight rural electric cooperatives in Wyoming that are members of Tri-State.
More Renewable Power
The BYOR program is the result of significant guidance and input from Tri-State’s member electric cooperatives and public power districts, which now have increased flexibility to own or contract for their own energy projects.
The electricity is expected to come largely from renewable energy projects, like wind turbines or solar panels.
Tri-State is a nonprofit cooperative with 44 members, including 41 electric distribution cooperatives and public power districts in four states that provide electricity to more than 1 million consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.
In Wyoming, Tri-State’s distribution cooperatives include Big Horn Rural Electric Co. in Basin; Carbon Power & Light Inc. in Saratoga; Garland Light & Power Co. in Powell; High Plains Power Inc. in Riverton; High West Energy Inc. in Pine Bluffs; Niobrara Electric Association Inc. in Lusk; Wheatland Rural Electric Association in Wheatland; and Wyrulec Co. in Torrington.
The general managers of seven of the cooperatives in Wyoming were not immediately available to comment on the benefits of the new green-energy buying opportunity.
Jeff Umphlett, the general manager of Big Horn Rural Electric, declined to comment on the BYOB program until “issues are settled.”
Improved Credit
The BYOB comes on the heels of a major credit rating upgrade by S&P Global Ratings, a New York City-based credit rating agency that has influence over the interest rates companies like Tri-State pay to borrow money.
S&P revised its outlook to stable from negative on a few billions of dollars in debt held by Tri-State.
The outlook revision reflects the withdrawal of United Power Inc., Tri-State’s largest member, from the association on May 1.
The exit was seen as removing an impediment to Tri-State’s energy transition plan.
According to S&P, Tri-State received a $627 million contract termination payment from Brighton, Colorado-based United Power, that was used to pay down debt.
“We view the contract termination payments established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as a potential disincentive for additional member distribution cooperatives to sever their ties with Tri-State,” said S&P credit analyst David Bodek in a July 31 statement.
Tri-State management has stated that it will apply the proceeds of the exit fee to offset portions of its $2.6 billion, five-year capital improvement plan and to reduce its $3.4 billion in existing debt by about 13%, according to Bodek.
Tri-State spokesman Lee Boughey said that the Bring Your Own Resource plan gives member cooperatives in its network the leeway to draw power resources from local power plants.
The member organizations had been restricted to 5% supplies locally, but now can bring in up to 40%, Boughey said.
“It doesn’t necessarily have to be all green power, but they can self supply their own power.”
Tri-State is clearly taking steps to exit coal-fired power plants over the next few years.
The 1,427-megawatt Craig Station in northwestern Colorado should be fully retired by the beginning of 2028, Boughey said.
Tri-State owns Craig’s Unit 3, and operates Units 1 and 2 with other utility interests involved. The latter two units will be retired in 2025 and 2028, respectively.
Other Tri-State-owned coal-fired plants have been retired in recent years, including the 100-megawatt Nucla Station in 2019 and Escalante Station in northern New Mexico the following year. It plans to close
Tri-State said that there are no plans to retire the 1,710-megawatt coal-fired Laramie River Station in Wheatland, Wyoming, but will close Arizona’s Springerville Station 458-MW Unit 3 in 2031.
The Springerville power plant is a 1,765-megawatt, four-unit generating facility in eastern Arizona near the New Mexico border.
“Our resource plans remain on track and by the end of next year, 50% of the energy our members use will come from clean energy, rising to 70% in 2030, with significant greenhouse gas reductions,” said Tri-State CEO Duane Highley, in a statement in May after United exited from his association.
“Our resource planning establishes a high standard for reliability, even in extreme weather events, and our wholesale rates will remain competitive for our members,” Highley said.
Good Luck
“We wish United Power and its consumer-members well as they go off on their own,” he said.
United Power President and CEO Mark Gabriel was not immediately available for comment.
United Power, which is now Colorado’s third largest utility, served notice to Tri-State in 2022 that it was leaving the cooperative because of Tri-State’s failure to control power costs and invest in more “local generation.”
Tri-State’s 5,800-mile transmission network relies on more than 30 power generation resources and in 2031, members will share more than 50 resources, including more than 2,200-megawatts of wind and solar resources.
Looking ahead, Tri-State is rapidly looking to rely more on alternative sources of power production.
In 2024 and 2025, Tri-State will add 595 megawatts of new solar, according to a Tri-State statement.
This additional power generation will help with iTri-State’s electric resource plan filed with regulators. That plan calls for Tri-State to meet an 89% greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal in Colorado in 2030, the retirement of four coal-fired generation units between 2025 and 2031, and the addition of 1,250-megawatts of additional renewable energy resources and energy storage between 2026 and 2031.
Tri-State managed to hold its rates stable for seven years through 2023 before increasing them about 6.3% for 2024 to $77.91 a delivered megawatt-hour of electricity.
United’s Gabriel has previously stated that he could buy power on the open market at a $60 to $65 price.
The main complaints that co-ops have voiced about Tri-State are that the association’s rates are high, its 50-year contracts are too long and require the
cooperatives to buy 95% of their electricity from the association, thwarting efforts to develop local projects.
Pat Maio can be reached at pat@cowboystatedaily.com.
A pristine trail town tucked into the breathtaking beauty of western Wyoming, Dubois puts the ‘wild’ in the Wild West. Just 55 miles from Yellowstone National Park and located in the Wind River, Owl Creek, and Absaroka mountain ranges, the town is a welcoming alpine community with stunning views from every street. From enjoying the fresh powder on the winter slopes to hiking, biking, or riding through the wildflower-covered peaks in the summer, Dubois is a year-round destination that offers adventure in every season. In addition to its serene location, Dubois is a vibrant town with lots on the menu from fine dining to lively western-style saloons.
The History of Dubois
The Wind River Valley remained sparsely populated until the late 1800s, when pioneering homesteaders established the first settlements, initiating a small yet lively community. While fur traders, explorers, and some Native American tribes were familiar with the area, it was the arrival of homesteaders that helped shape its identity. This led to the emergence of a town, supported by the expansion of cattle and sheep ranching.
Dubois was officially incorporated in 1914 and grew over the years, benefiting from its logging, farming, and tourism sectors. Today, with a population of 778 as of the 2022 census, Dubois remains true to its Western heritage, offering visitors an authentic cowboy experience.
Things to Do in Dubois
Get that cowboy experience at one of the oldest guest ranches in the country, the CM Ranch which opened in 1927. It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced rider, or never been on a horse, the experienced staff at this busy dude ranch will show you the ropes. Guests can choose their own adventure, from riding trails through desert badlands and mountain highlands to fly fishing in the backcountry.
Dubois is located in mountain country, possibly the only place where you can observe three distinct types of mountains: those formed by glaciers, volcano-created peaks, and ranges caused by shifting underground plates. It is a haven and playground for nature lovers. If you prefer walking over riding, numerous local guides are available to help you explore the trails and enjoy the best vistas. For those who prefer to go alone, the Bonneville Pass Trail offers a scenic climb through valley meadows, while the Five Pockets Trail provides spectacular views of Horse Creek with the Absaroka Mountains as a backdrop.
Look out for ancient carvings while you are exploring; Wyoming is home to stunning examples of rock art. In the Wind River Range, you will find the Torrey Lake Petroglyph District, which includes around 175 well-preserved petroglyphs. For more information on where to see the best pictograms or find accessible trails, speak to the staff at the Dubois Museum. This specialty museum traces the geology of the area, its early inhabitants, and its history of homesteading. They also offer custom guided tours of petroglyphs, native sheep trap and buffalo drive sites, and more.
Dubois is a favorite spot for anglers, featuring pristine lakes, streams, and rivers teeming with fish like rainbow trout, brook trout, and cutthroat trout. Try casting your line at Torrey Creek. The waters aren’t just for fishing; you can also enjoy kayaking or canoeing, or relax with a float trip guided by Wind River Float Trips.
In winter, the country is even more beautiful, and there are still lots of ways to enjoy it. Go ice-fishing, take a dog-sled ride through the snowy wonderland, or try cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Downtown Dubois
Many Wild West legends have strolled through Dubois, including the infamous outlaw Butch Cassidy. While things may have changed over time, the town still radiates quirky character and Western charm. After a day outdoors, grab a bite at the Rustic Pine Tavern, open since 1919, or visit the Outlaw Bar and Saloon. Once called the Branding Iron Inn, the Outlaw Bar has remained a beloved Dubois gathering spot for generations.
In the summer months, the town hosts the Dubois Friday Night Rodeo, which runs through June, July, and August. The family-friendly event features Mutton Bustin, Calf Riding, Mini Bull Riding, Pee Wee Barrel Racing, and more.
What Makes Dubois Different
Dubois remains a timeless town nestled amid Wyoming’s towering mountain ranges. This cowboy haven has preserved its natural beauty and charm for centuries, attracting explorers, pioneers, hunters, and adventurers. Visitors can saddle up at a dude ranch, scale mountain peaks, fish or float on glacial rivers, and unwind at the local rodeo—offering an ideal setting for unforgettable experiences and a break from everyday life.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Western Wyoming Community College placed second at the NJCAA Wrestling Championships on Saturday, finishing with 188 team points and producing nine All-Americans, including four national runners-up. Their 188 points are the second-most all-time.
Indian Hills repeated as national champion with 201.5 points, the most points of all time, while Iowa Central finished third with 145.5. Western improved on last year’s third-place finish while sending four wrestlers to the championship round, the most runner-up finishes at the tournament, though the Mustangs were unable to secure an individual national title.
Zach Marrero reached the championship match at 133 pounds after earning a 4-2 decision in the semifinals. In the final, Marrero faced Indian Hills’ Olli Webb. The two were tied 1-1 after three periods before Webb secured a sudden-victory takedown to win 4-1.
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At 165 pounds, Banks Norby advanced to the finals with an 8-7 semifinal decision over Tom Stoll of Northeastern Junior College. Norby then faced Henry Dillingham of Clackamas in the championship match. Dillingham scored seven points in the third period to pull away, and Norby was unable to record a takedown as he finished second.
Banks Love also reached the championship bout at 184 pounds. Love snuck past Asadbek Fayzullaev of Northwest 10-9 in the semifinals. In the final, he fell to Jarrel Miller of Iowa Central 16-9. Love scored seven points in the final period, but Miller also scored nine in the period to secure the win.
At 197 pounds, Trevyn Gates reached the finals after pinning Samuel Montoya of Southeast Nebraska in the semifinals. Gates’ run ended in the championship match when he was pinned in 2:03, giving him a runner-up finish.
Western also had two wrestlers earn third-place finishes.
At 125 pounds, Stockton Allen dropped his semifinal match by technical fall but responded in the consolation bracket. Allen secured third place with a fall in 1:27 over Truth Vesey of Harper.
Green River’s Tommy Dalton also placed third at 149 pounds. Dalton lost in the semifinals by fall in 4:22 but rebounded with a 17-6 major decision to reach the third-place match. He then defeated Ayson Rice of Southeast Nebraska 9-3 to earn the bronze.
Francisco Ayala finished fifth at 174 pounds. After dropping into the consolation bracket, Ayala won two of his three matches to reach the fifth-place bout, where he defeated Iowa Western’s Matteo Nikolov 4-2. Trailing 1-0 entering the final period, Ayala secured a takedown with 12 seconds remaining to claim the win.
Dmitri Alarcon placed sixth at 141 pounds. Alarcon lost in the semifinals by fall before dropping a 20-9 decision in the consolation bracket. In the fifth-place match, he led 5-2 after the opening period but gave up a four-point nearfall in the second and fell 6-5.
At 157 pounds, Hixon Canto finished seventh. After advancing through the consolation bracket Friday, Canto lost a 6-4 decision Saturday before taking seventh place by medical forfeit.
Heavyweight Kort Wilkinson saw his tournament end a day earlier. Wilkinson was one point away from the quarterfinals before falling to Cito Tuttle of Rochester 3-2 in double overtime. He won two matches in the consolation bracket before losing a 5-0 decision to Naasir Edmonds, ending his season on the opening day of the tournament.
Western Wyoming’s second-place finish marks an improvement from its third-place result at the 2025 NJCAA Wrestling Championships and caps a season that also included the program’s ninth straight Region 9/Plains District title.
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