Looking back on 2024, by Eric Eriksen, CEO
To our members
Colorado’s second oldest rural electric cooperative turned 87 on August 10, 2024. Serving 13,273 meters across the Valley, we grew about .7 percent in 2024. It was one of the wettest years and the second warmest year.
Like we’ve done over the past 87 years, our amazing employees and supportive members will always persevere. Your San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative closes out 2024 financially sound and reliable. We are ready for 2025.
Best Internet provider
Ciello, our independent subsidiary, has been providing high-speed Internet for over 10 years now and serves over 8,400 customers. Voted the “Best Internet Provider” according to the Valley Courier’s contest for four years straight. Thank you, San Luis Valley!!
We are excited to be selected for a $410K USDA grant to serve Spar City, within Mineral County. Grants are very competitive. It was a testimony to our talented people when we were also recognized for the highest application score. The families in Spar City will be receiving access to high-speed Internet and an improved way of life.
In 2022, we received a $2M grant from the USDA to build 54 miles of high-speed Internet service around the areas of Zapata, Capulin and Great Sand Dunes National Park. In December 2024, after two years of project studies and permitting we’ve received the “Go Ahead” authorization from the USDA to proceed with construction— A big milestone!
Welcome to the team
In 2024 we had 54 full-time employees, including Ciello —compared to 52 in 2008. That’s incredible to be nearly the same number of employees in almost 20 years, especially considering we’ve built a large high-speed Internet company with over 8,400 customers and grown 1,105 new electric meters across the Valley.
We welcomed new babies into the SLVREC family, as well as two new employees Boyd Wagner (staking engineer) and Jarrod Dalton (system operator).
Safe work zone
The safety of our employees is paramount— ensuring they can always go home to their friends and families. Setting clear expectations, accountability, education, training, high standards, and a caring culture led by employees is our recipe for an excellent safety program. I observe this every day at SLVREC. I am happy to report in 2024 we reached record safety milestones including over 2 million miles of safe driving, over 747 days of continued no lost time accidents— and our lowest industry benchmark in 10 years.
Crushing 2024 goals
The SLVREC team delivered exceptional achievements for you in 2024, exceeding all six of our industry benchmarks and completing 94 percent of our project goals. We were on time and under budgeted expenses. Thank you for helping me recognize our SLVREC employees. They take great pride in serving you and in achieving one of the most successful years to date. Here are a few notable accomplishments:
• Customer satisfaction better than industry average
• Controllable expenses less than budget
• Reliability better than average
• Launched Electrify & Save Program
• Renewed Collective Bargaining Labor Agreement
• Awarded over $2M in grants
• Upgraded billing software
• Offered improved Internet and phone services
• Launched Lean Six Sigma training
We always ask: What’s best for members?
Thank you for completing our member survey. The ACSI is a national survey that measures how satisfied US consumers are with products and services used. Instead of a percentage, this number represents a weighted average of three key member perception factors: satisfaction, expectation and performance. It helps us learn what we are doing right and what we can do better to serve you.
2025 Road Map
The SLVREC team has developed a 2025 plan supported by a budget approved at the Dec. 17 Board of Directors meeting. Expect to find the updated 2025 Road Map on our website in the month ahead and presentation at our annual membership meeting. Please reach out to request a “road show” presentation to your business or organization and feel free to walk in and visit anytime.
Here are a few notable goals:
• Develop Wildfire Mitigation Plan
• Complete Microgrid Study (adding batteries to
utility solar projects)
• Develop Cyber Security Plan
• Complete Integrated Resource Study (future
renewable energy projects)
• Member rate engagement
• Develop Technology Plan
• Install SLVREC HQ energy efficiency improvements
• We Care: Employee training & development
We’re here whenever you need us. Connect with us online, in person or through our social media channels. However you choose to connect, please let us know how we can serve you better.
I wish you a Blessed and Happy New Year!
REC received nearly $2 million for high-speed Internet access
In late July 2022 San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative (REC) was announced as the recipient of a $1,998,448 grant to deploy fiber-to-the-premises services in rural parts of the San Luis Valley.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Department is investing $401 million to provide access to high-speed Internet for 31,000 rural residents and businesses in 11 states, part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to investing in rural infrastructure and affordable high-speed Internet for all. This announcement includes a group of investments from the ReConnect Program and an award funded through USDA’s Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee program.
REC’s subsidiary, Ciello, will use the grant to connect 129 residences, eight businesses, one public school and 20 farms to high-speed Internet in unserved and underserved parts of Conejos and Alamosa counties.
“We began providing high-speed fiber optic based broadband internet access to rural areas in the San Luis Valley in 2014,” said Loren Howard, CEO of REC/Ciello. “This grant, the second Ciello has received, accelerates Ciello’s commitment to bring this crucial utility service to the Valley residents. REC and Ciello are incredibly grateful for this boost in building our fiber network to difficult-to-serve areas.”
“Connectivity is critical to economic success in rural America,” Vilsack said. “The Internet is vital to our growth and continues to act as a catalyst for our prosperity. From the farm to the school, from households to international markets, connectivity drives positive change in our communities.”
“The investments I am announcing will help 31,000 people and businesses in large and diverse regions across the country access to new and critical opportunities. Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA knows rural America is America’s backbone, and prosperity here means prosperity for all.”
“Living in the San Luis Valley, I know the need of reliable Internet access and being able to engage in remote work, telehealth, e-commerce, and online schooling,” said Armando Valdez, USDA Rural Development Colorado State Director. “Internet service strengthens community prosperity by providing connections to a vast number of resources and potential markets.
“This grant will change lives and provide quality enhancements to our telecommunication infrastructure in a strong rural community in southern Colorado. I am grateful that SLVREC pursued this opportunity. And I am so happy that residents in Conejos and Alamosa counties will be able to tap into these resources and thrive both economically and socially.”
As a provider for the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program, Ciello will serve these socially vulnerable areas in Conejos and Alamosa counties. REC members that live in the Zapata area, along with some REC members along Highway 15 in Conejos County, will experience a lot of benefits from the availability of high-speed fiber broadband service in their areas.
“We are very grateful to have been awarded these funds from the Reconnect3 program,” said Ciello’s Chief Technology Officer Monroe Johnson. “This is the culmination of a lot of hard work on the part of the management team here at the cooperative, and we look forward to working with everyone involved to bring this project to a successful conclusion.”
“Ciello’s mission is to bring the best broadband service available anywhere to the communities we serve, and this is a logical extension to all the work that has been completed in the last several years.”
