Nearly $3,500 was raised to help pay heating bills for Coloradans this winter when Colorado’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives rode in the three-day, 174-mile Pedal the Plains bike tour through southeastern Colorado on Sept. 20-22.
Empire Electric Association was one of 16 electric co-op-connected organizations sponsoring the Touchstone Energy bike team and participating as a sponsor for Pedal the Plains.
This was the second year for the cycling rally that celebrates Colorado’s Eastern Plains, its resources and its heritage. Starting in Eads this year, the tour went south to Lamar for an evening of entertainment, west to La Junta for another party on the plains and then north and east back to Eads on the final day.
The goal of the co-op team, which included CREA Executive Director Kent Singer who represented the co-ops, was to remind riders and other attendees how the electric co-ops actually power the plains. All 12 cyclists rode with the Powering the Plains team jersey during the tour, drawing attention to electric co-ops and their services.
In addition to promoting the region’s rural electric cooperatives throughout the ride, the Touchstone Energy team rode to help raise money for Energy Outreach Colorado, a nonprofit organization that helps struggling Colorado families pay their heating bills in the winter. That fundraiser will continue through Oct. 14 for anyone who wants to support the co-op bike riders and contribute to Energy Outreach Colorado. Visit www.poweringtheplains.coop for information on how to contribute.
Sponsors for Colorado’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives included the Empire Electric Association, Colorado Rural Electric Association, Colorado Country Life, Tri-State Generation and Transmission, Highline Electric Association, Holy Cross Energy, K.C. Electric Association, Morgan County REA, Mountain View Electric Association, Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association, San Isabel Electric Association, San Miguel Power Association, Southeast Colorado Power Association, United Power, White River Electric Association, Y-W Electric Association, Keep Electricity Affordable, and Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP.
