PVREA Oct 2025 CCL Magazine

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Volume 56 • Number 10 • October 2025

20

In This Issue 4

Viewpoint

6

From the Editor

7

Your Co-op News

11

At Home

12

Get Outside

14

Industry

16

Feature Story

20 Energy Expert

Learn how to estimate an efficiency upgrade return on investment

22

22 Getaway

Plan a fall weekend trip to Marble

24 Recipes 26 Marketplace 28 Discoveries

Find your next favorite craft beer

30 Reader Photos

28 MAGAZINE STAFF Publisher Cassi Gloe cgloe@coloradocountrylife.org Editor Kylee Coleman kcoleman@coloradocountrylife.org Editorial Assistant Melinda Taylor mtaylor@coloradocountrylife.org EDITORIAL Corporate Office

455 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80226

info@coloradocountrylife.org, 303-455-4111 Editorial opinions published in Colorado Country Life magazine shall pertain to issues affecting rural electric cooperatives, rural communities, and citizens. The opinion of CREA is not necessarily that of any particular cooperative or individual.

COPYRIGHT: All content ©2025 Colorado Rural Electric Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this issue or any portion of it is expressly prohibited.

Colorado Country Life

COLORADO COUNTRY LIFE (USPS 469400/ISSN 1090-2503), copyright ©2025 is published monthly by the Colorado Rural Electric Association, 455 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80226. Business and Editorial Offices: 455 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80226, Accounting and Circulation Offices: 455 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80226.

Call 303-455-4111 to subscribe. Periodicals postage is paid at Denver, CO. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Colorado Country Life at 455 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80226.

SUBSCRIBERS: Report change of address to your local cooperative. Do not send change of address to Colorado Country Life. Cost of subscription for members of participating electric cooperatives is 30 cents per month, paid from equity accruing to the member. For nonmembers, a subscription is $15 per year in state/ $20 out of state.

ADVERTISING: 720-407-0712 advertising@coloradocountrylife.org National advertising representative: American MainStreet Publications 611 S. Congress St., Suite 504 Austin, TX 78704 | 800-626-1181 ADVERTISING STANDARDS: Publication of an advertisement in Colorado Country Life does not imply endorsement by any Colorado rural electric cooperative or the Colorado Rural Electric Association. Call for reprint rights. View advertising and editorial policy terms and conditions online at coloradocountrylife.coop.

October 2025

3

VIEWPOINT

Celebrating the Cooperative Difference

BY JEFF WADSWORTH PRESIDENT & CEO

Every October, electric cooperatives across the country celebrate National Cooperative Month.

It’s a time to reflect on what makes cooperatives unique, impactful, and deeply rooted in the communities we serve. For Poudre Valley REA, this month is not only a celebration of our cooperative’s history, but also a chance to reaffirm the values that guide us today.

In 1939, we were born out of necessity, bringing power to rural communities that traditional utilities, focused on profit, deemed too costly to serve.

While the landscape of our industry and territory has changed, the challenge of serving less-dense areas remains.

PVREA has 12 meters for every mile of power line, compared to 34 for investor-owned utilities and 48 for city-owned utilities. Despite this significant difference, our commitment to sound financial planning and doing more with less allows us to deliver reliable, affordable electricity that is competitive with rates from those larger utilities.

You may be familiar with Willie Wiredhand, the friendly figure with a light socket head and wire arms, created in 1951 as the mascot of America’s electric cooperatives. Willie embodies the cooperative spirit — reliable, affordable, and always ready to serve.

Just as Willie became a symbol of this spirit, PVREA continues living out those same principles daily.

The cooperative difference is seen most clearly in

4 October 2025

three areas: reliability, affordability, and service. PVREA consistently delivers among the highest reliability in Colorado while also maintaining the lowest residential electric rate in the state.

But our work goes far beyond just keeping the lights on. As a cooperative, we live and work in the communities we serve. From the mountains to the plains, our employees volunteer, donate, and engage with schools, fire districts, emergency services, nonprofits, and more. That’s the cooperative difference in action — neighbors helping neighbors, both on the job and in everyday life.

PVREA is committed to strengthening the places we call home with programs and services that empower members and through support of organizations that uplift our communities. Whether by partnering with local nonprofits, aiding education, or lending a hand at community events, we seek to multiply the good already happening across Northern Colorado.

One shining example is our partnership with Vindeket Foods, a local nonprofit dedicated to food rescue. You can read more about their important mission on page 7 of this issue.

Your member-owned utility partner will continue to honor the cooperative spirit, invest in reliability and affordability, and serve our communities with care.

This month, and every month, we celebrate the cooperative difference!

ABOUT YOUR CO-OP PVREA serves energy solutions to more than 57,000 homes and businesses in Boulder, Larimer, and Weld counties. We are a memberowned co-op, led by those we serve.

OUR MISSION We are committed to providing safe, reliable, efficient energy solutions with exceptional service to our members.

CONTACT US 1.800.432.1012 pvrea@pvrea.coop www.pvrea.coop

MAILING ADDRESS Poudre Valley REA 7649 REA Parkway Fort Collins, CO 80528

SOCIAL facebook.com/PoudreValleyREA instagram.com/poudre_valley_rea youtube.com/PoudreValleyREA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Peter Hyland Weld County

Director Rick Johnson Larimer County

Vice Chair Bryan Ehrlich Larimer County

Director Jan Peterson Larimer County

Secretary Thaine Michie Larimer County

Director Jack Schneider Weld County

Director Steven Anderson Larimer County

Director Ron Sutherland Boulder County

Director Sheryl Dryer Henderson Larimer County Colorado Country Life

2026 PHOTO CONTEST It’s time to share your best photos for the annual Colorado Country Life photo contest.

Categories • Scenic Landscapes • Animals • Plants and Flowers • People

13 Winners | 13 Prizes • $150 cover • $150 first place • $75 second place • $50 third place

Winning Tips 1. Use the highest resolution setting on your digital camera.

2. Capture scenes full of vivid color.

3. Make us feel something with your photo (awe, happiness).

Rules • Enter up to two photos per category.

• Digital JPEG photos only.

• Photos must be at least 300 dpi at 8" x 10".

• All vertical photos entered will be considered for the cover photo. If you have a photo you think will make a perfect cover of CCL, it must be at least 300 dpi at 9" wide x 13" tall.

• Winners will be announced and published in a spring 2026 issue.

• The contest is open for entries through Sunday, November 30, 2025.

Read full rules and enter online at coloradocountrylife.coop/photo-contest-2026

Photos from previous photo contests. Photographers (top to bottom): David Dahms, Connie Chamberlain, Glenn Rivera, and Lynnae King

FROM THE EDITOR

The Life Cycle of a Reader

L

ittle Golden Books were one of my first childhood memories — most specifically The Little Engine That Could and, even more so, The Poky Little Puppy. I’m not sure why that one always stuck in my head — was it the old-timey and cute illustrations? The promise that if I was well-behaved I would get dessert? Or did it reinforce my innate personality of

By Kylee Coleman Editor being a rule follower?

What started as a love for the picture books and short stories my mom would read to me turned into a love of reading that I’ve carried throughout my life.

The Babysitters Club book series was my jam in elementary school. (Remember in the wild ’80s when they’d let “responsible” 10-year-olds babysit other people’s kids for $0.75 per hour?!) And I loved finding yellowed and ancient-smelling Nancy Drew books at my grammy’s house. The local bookstore was my outing of choice every birthday, and the Scholastic Book Fair set up in the school library may as well have been a holiday.

Those books were replaced by middle-grade books, then adult fiction and nonfiction, my college textbooks for a while, and back to more fiction for a short time. Those books gave way to pregnancy books, parenting books, then back to children’s board books and early readers for my own kids.

Maybe you’ve had a similar journey of reading. I’ve been through them all, including seasons of enthusiastic and obsessive reading and seasons of “I don’t have a spare minute to read a book.”

Finding myself in a recent empty nest and headed into fall, I’m looking forward to finding more books to read. If you have a favorite new release, please send your recommendations my way. I’m eager to seeing what you are reading.

Monthly Giveaway Are you ready to do some fall baking? This month, CCL is giving away a fall baking gift box to get you started on the cookie recipe that’s on page 24. One lucky winner will get two cookie sheets, two cookie dough scoops, parchment paper, a dishtowel set, a serving tray, napkins, a jar of pumpkin pie spice, and a jar of cream of tartar. See a photo of the whole kit on the Monthly Contest page on our website.

To enter this giveaway, visit our website at coloradocountrylife.coop or mail a postcard with your name, mailing address, and phone number to 455 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80226. Contest closes October 20.

6 October 2025

Colorado Country Life

Rescuing Food, Creating Community: INSIDE VINDEKET FOODS

What happens when passionate advocates come together to vindicate food from waste? You get Vindeket Foods. This food rescue nonprofit in Fort Collins is redefining what it means to care for both people and the planet. What started as a discovery project has now blossomed into a thriving hub that rescues 40,000 to 70,000 pounds of food each week — food that would otherwise go to waste.

Nathan Shaw, the founder and executive director behind Vindeket, brings a unique blend of environmental awareness and community spirit. A Texas A&M graduate with a degree in geology, he spent years in environmental remediation. His journey eventually led him to the Western Slope, where his connection to farms and food deepened. After moving to Northern Colorado, Nathan saw firsthand how much food was thrown out in his community. He began rescuing food by partnering with the local nonprofit Serve 6.8, and by 2020, his project had grown into a mission big enough to stand on its own.

Vindeket operates on a simple but powerful philosophy. “We want food to be consumed so it doesn’t go to waste,” Nathan said. “We’re made of a true, community who cares about one another and food — where it comes from and where it goes.” The organization is comprised of one parttime and two full-time employees and a dedicated team of 230 regular volunteers. They have relationships with more than 50 regular partners including major grocery stores, farms, and restaurants who reach out when they have a surplus of food, trusting Vindeket to redistribute it effectively before it is wasted.

Nathan emphasized how volunteers are the backbone of the operation. They complete four to five daily food pickups around Colorado in their Vindeket box trucks, they unload and clean the trucks, maintain the building, and run the food markets held three times a week: Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, two shifts per day. The market is open to anyone and everyone with a ‘donate what you can’ model. Vindeket averages over 12,000 visits per month.

Colorado Country Life

Education is also a key part of Vindeket’s mission.

Nathan speaks passionately about the confusion surrounding food labeling. Terms like “use by,” “best before,” and “expired” often lead to unnecessary waste. By helping the community understand the difference between food quality and food safety, he empowers people to make informed choices.

Earlier this year, Vindeket Foods moved into a new facility and became a member of Poudre Valley REA. With the move comes big plans to improve the facility and expand its ability to serve the community by adding walk-in coolers and freezers to increase cold storage capacity, as well as installing an air conditioning system. To bring these improvements to life, Vindeket is continuing into the second phase of their Root Bound fundraising campaign. Additionally, general support donations will help cover the day-to-day costs of operating seven days a week.

At its core, Vindeket is more than a food rescue, it’s a movement. It’s about reducing waste, serving the community, and creating a space where people care for one another. As Nathan puts it, “I’ve learned that people keep showing up and working hard for their communities to do something meaningful. People want the opportunity to do good for each other.”

Through Vindeket, people get that opportunity and it’s becoming a powerful tool for change.

To learn more about Vindeket Foods, donate, or get involved visit vindeketfoods.org October 2025

7

YOUR CO-OP NEWS

National Cooperative Month In October, electric cooperatives across the country take time to celebrate National Co-op Month and reflect on the unique advantages of being part of a cooperative.

It’s also the perfect time to thank you — the members who make it all possible. For us, it’s not just a celebration. It’s a chance to reaffirm the values that guide everything we do.

7 Cooperative Principles ALL COOPERATIVES OPERATE BY THE SAME SEVEN PRINCIPLES. 1. Voluntary & Open Membership Membership is open to anyone who can use our services and accepts the responsibilities, without discrimination.

2. Democratic Member Control Members set policies, elect leaders, and guide decisions through a democratic process.

3. Members’ Economic Participation Members invest in and control the co-op’s capital. Profits are returned to members as credits.

4. Autonomy & Independence As a member-owned organization, we make decisions locally to reflect community needs.

5. Education, Training & Information We provide learning opportunities so members, staff, Board Directors, and community partners can strengthen the co-op and enhance safety.

6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives We collaborate with other co-ops to improve services, support economies, and meet community needs.

7. Concern for Community We exist to strengthen the communities we serve and improve quality of life.

The Cooperative Difference DELIVERING VALUE THAT MATTERS You depend on us for safe, reliable, affordable energy solutions with exceptional member service. Our mission is to do just that — while continuously improving to meet and exceed your evolving needs.

VALUE OF MEMBERSHIP PVREA provides the lowest residential rate and is among the highest reliability in Colorado.

8 October 2025

VALUE BEYOND THE METER

VALUE OF THE CO-OP BUSINESS MODEL

We promise energy for your life, savings for your budget, and services to empower our community.

There’s value in being part of an electric cooperative instead of a municipality or investor-owned utility.

Colorado Country Life

SAFETY CORNER

OCTOBER is

4 Best Bets to Stay Cyber Safe

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Source: National Cybersecurity Alliance

Protecting yourself online doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. By adopting a few smart habits, you can greatly reduce your chances of falling victim to cybercrime. While no one is completely “hackproof,” you can be far more resilient by following these best bets.

AT THE HEART OF CYBERSECURITY ARE FOUR ESSENTIAL BEHAVIORS, KNOWN AS THE CORE 4.

1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords

3. Keep Software Updated

Your password is the first defense between you and cybercriminals.

Updates often fix security flaws criminals exploit.

• Aim for at least 16 characters, mixing letters, numbers, and symbols.

• Promptly update operating systems, browsers, apps, and antivirus tools.

• Never reuse passwords — small tweaks don’t count as unique.

• Remember: phones, tablets, and smartwatches are computers too.

• Use a password manager to securely store and generate strong logins.

4. Watch for Phishing Scams

2. Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA) Think of MFA as adding a second lock to your digital door. Beyond a password, it may require:

• Turn on automatic updates when possible.

Phishing is the most common online threat. Attackers send fake emails, texts, or messages to trick you into revealing information or clicking harmful links.

• Be skeptical of urgent or unexpected requests.

• A code sent to your phone

• Avoid suspicious links or attachments.

• A fingerprint or FaceID scan

• Report phishing attempts to your provider, platform, or IT department.

• A physical security key Never share MFA codes — a legitimate company will never ask.

• When in doubt, ask someone you trust to double-check.

Spook-tacular Energy Savings This Halloween, don’t let scary energy bills haunt your home! We’ve brewed up some frightfully easy tricks so you can treat yourself to lower energy costs and cozier comfort. Here are four ways to keep your energy use from becoming a monster.

Haunt down savings with a smart thermostat.

Heating and cooling can drain your wallet like a vampire at midnight. A smart thermostat helps you control the chills — and the thrills — while making your energy use more efficient.

Banish bone-chilling drafts. Creepy cracks and ghostly gaps let cold air sneak inside. Seal them up before the frost bites back, and you’ll keep the ghouls (and the chills) outside where they belong.

Colorado Country Life

Light your crypt the clever way. Swap out old bulbs for LEDs. They use up to 75% less energy and shine 25 times longer.

Cook up savings in your cauldron. Whether you’re simmering soup or brewing chili, countertop slow cookers and Instant Pots use far less energy than a full stovetop or oven.

Read more energy efficiency tips at www.pvrea.coop October 2025

9

YOUR CO-OP NEWS

Save the Date | 2026 ANNUAL MEETING Your cooperative’s 2026 Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Embassy Suites in Loveland.

Business Meeting begins at 9am.

A P P LY FO R O

UR

More details will be released later and members should expect their official invites and ballot information in the mail closer to the date of the meeting.

Learn more at www.pvrea.coop/annual-meeting

N D IN G STE AM FU S RO O M S FO R C L AS

re Nov 3 Apply befo

Empower Grants provide funding up to $2,000 per K-12 classroom for STEAM focused learning objectives.

Grants have been used to purchase 3D printers, robotic kits, outdoor learning spaces, various electronic kits, and more!

Share this opportunity with the teachers and school administrators in your life to help fund their educational programs.

Learn more or apply today at www.pvrea.coop/empower-grant-program

OUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED | MONDAY, OCT 13 Our office will be closed for an all-employee training day.

Use your PVREA app or online account to make payments and/or report outages.

Did you know you can leave us a message?

Call 800.432.1012 to leave us a voicemail.

OCTOBER 2025

Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month

10 October 2025

As winter approaches, now is the time to inspect your home for air leaks around windows. Leaks reduce indoor comfort and lead to higher heating costs.

If you can see daylight around the edges of a window frame or if a window rattles slightly when touched, air is likely leaking.

Caulking and weatherstripping are simple, effective ways to seal windows. These materials come in various compounds and forms, each suited for different surfaces.

Select the right product and apply it properly to reduce heat loss, increase comfort, and lower energy bills.

AT HOME

Autumn in the Air

Simmer pots bring the scents of the season indoors

By Mary Peck

F

all is upon us, and with it comes the rich aromas of the season. Fall scents and simmer pots go hand in hand, adding warmth and coziness to the air inside as days grow shorter and cooler outside.

A simmer pot, sometimes called stove top potpourri, is a pot of water infused with natural ingredients like fruits, spices, and herbs. It fills the air with pleasant aromas as the water simmers and steams.

The popularity of simmer pots has seen a resurgence recently, fueled by social media, increased interest in natural, sustainable air freshening options, and the simple reward of creating an affordable and customizable home fragrance. In Colorado’s arid climate, simmer pots offer an added bonus of humidifying our dry air. Experimenting with different combinations is fun; simmer pots can be assembled with ingredients you have on hand, or you can build specific combinations as far as your imagination takes you.

While any pot can be used, cast iron, glass, and slow cookers are ideal choices because of their even heat distribution. Start with the basic building blocks of simmer pot ingredients: fresh or dried fruit, natural botanicals like pine cones and pine needles, fresh or dried herbs and spices, and extracts or essential oils. Cover the ingredients with water and simmer over very low heat.

Continue to fill with water as it simmers off.

The pot can be refrigerated and reheated for a second use; when finished, the ingredients can be composted.

Colorado Country Life

To get you started, here are a few simmer pot recipes inspired by the autumn scents of Colorado’s diverse landscape.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN MAGIC • Handful of pine needles or a few drops of pine essential oil • 2-3 cedar sprigs • 2-3 pine cones • 2-3 sprigs rosemary • 1 tsp vanilla extract WESTERN SLOPE HARVEST • 3-4 slices apple, pear, or combination • ¼ cup dried cherries • 3-4 cinnamon sticks • 8-10 whole cloves • 1-2 star anise pods HIGH PLAINS BREEZE • 3-4 sprigs sage • 3 bay leaves • 1-2 sprigs juniper • 1 tbsp whole peppercorns • 2-3 lemon slices Mary Peck is a content creator who connects people with practical tips, ideas, and information to help them prosper.

She lives with her family in Northern Colorado.

S OR GIFT at GREAT F re its a gre

pot k Simmer r treat fill a clea — re a h to s jar with ed glass d d li r o bag and tie redients dried ing t tag. with a gif

October 2025

11

GET OUTSIDE

A Perfect Time to Fish

By Craig Johnson

S

unlight engulfs the snowcapped Front Range in a pinkish light as I head down the two-lane highway toward the canyon. Traffic is light this morning, as the fall chill tends to sort out fair-weather anglers, kayakers, and tubers who usually compete for space on the river during summer.

And football season keeps people inside to watch the games on TV. The sight of golden aspens and evergreens lining the river and set against the blue sky remind me why I live in Colorado. I know the trout are feeding aggressively as they prepare for the long winter — it’s a perfect day to fish.

Streamflow tends to be lower in the fall, and water is typically gin clear, revealing big rocks and other structures at the bottom. The low flows and cooler temperatures kill weeds that usually grow thick in the warmer months, which means fewer snags for drifting flies and fewer places for fish to hide. In these conditions, trout tend to hold in deeper water, safe from the eagles and ospreys looking for a quick meal. For the fly-fisher, this usually means nymphing in the deeper runs and pools. But as the sun rises higher in the sky, and the water warms a bit, small midge and mayfly hatches will come, and there will be opportunities to catch trout on dry flies.

Fall bugs tend to be small, so I tie on a size 20 pheasant tail nymph with a red glass bead as an attractor and drop an even smaller midge emerger fly about a foot and a half below it. These tiny flies are only a few millimeters in length, but anything bigger will look unnatural and may put the fish off. There is nothing natural about a fly with a glass bead for a head, but that doesn’t seem to bother trout much. It’s better to be too small than too big.

12 October 2025

A length of fluorocarbon tippet added to the end of the leader makes the line nearly invisible in the water — a necessity when the flow is this low and clear. The tippet is no thicker than a human hair, but it has a tensile strength of about 3.5 pounds, which is enough to land most trout, as long as you don’t try to horse them too much.

I quietly approach a pool — stealth is critical this time of year. I cast into the foam line closest to the near bank, and with each successive cast, I work my way across the river, inching closer to the opposite bank.

The first pass across the river doesn’t generate any interest from the trout, so I creep a few steps upstream and raise the strike indicator about a foot to get the fly a little deeper in the water. After a few casts, the indicator suddenly dives. Fish on! The fish takes off in a helter-skelter fashion, back and forth in the pool, but doesn’t try to go airborne to reveal itself just yet. It heads downstream, and I follow it along the bank, applying sideways pressure to work the fish downstream toward still waters where I can net it.

It is a beautiful brown trout in fall spawning colors — buttery brown and yellow sides with deep red and black spots. My tiny pheasant tail is fixed firmly in the corner of its mouth. I pinch the barbless hook between my thumb and slip it out of the trout’s mouth.

As I dip the net into the water, the fish skitters away, back to the depths of the pool. It is a good start to the fall fishing season.

Craig Johnson is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys fishing, hiking, and exploring all Colorado has to offer.

Colorado Country Life

Keep Colorado Wild

Let Nature Unlock Your Creativity Get the $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your next vehicle registration.

The pass gives you entry to all state parks, funds local educational opportunities and helps conserve wildlife. cpw.info/KeepColoradoWildPass

Jay Moore, artist Roxborough State Park

Botón de traducción disponible en la página web

INDUSTRY

Electric Cooperatives Use AI to Innovate

By Shane Schwartz

A

rtificial intelligence is no longer a trendy, high-tech buzzword for the exclusive domain of data scientists and Silicon Valley firms. Today, electric cooperatives across the country are discovering how AI — particularly generative AI and large language models including ChatGPT and Gemini — can transform the way they power their local communities. From improving reliability and safety to enhancing member services and streamlining daily operations, AI is helping electric co-ops do more with less. For many co-ops, limited staffing and tight budgets can make it difficult to explore new technologies.

AI tools, especially LLMs, now offer copy-andpaste workflows that anyone can use. Whether you're a system engineer, a vegetation manager, or a communications specialist, AI can act as a digital assistant and automate routine tasks, analyze data, and accelerate insights without any coding skills required. Even for experienced programmers, AI offers value. Those with technical backgrounds can use AI to rapidly test models, tune code, or generate outputs in a timelier manner.

But the real innovation is that now, anyone at an electric co-op can access the benefits of advanced analytics and automation. While the specific tools and datasets may vary, most AI applications follow a simple process: 1. Gathering Data: Relevant information can be pulled from internal systems or spreadsheets.

2. Understand Data: AI can summarize, structure, or flag any potential issues in the dataset.

3. Apply a Prompt: Use a tested prompt to ask AI to perform a specific task or analysis.

4. Put AI to Work: AI-generated insights or outputs can be utilized to inform business decisions or create deliverables.

These tasks often take just a few hours to complete.

Yet the time saved — and the ability to tackle previously out-of-reach projects — can have longlasting, positive impact across multiple departments.

Let’s take a look at some of the most promising applications for AI.

14 October 2025

LOAD FORECASTING AND PEAK PREDICTION AI can analyze historical data on the demand for electricity, weather trends, and consumer behavior to forecast future demand requirements. With simple prompt-based tools, electric co-ops can generate accurate predictions — helping them plan for highdemand periods without complex software or deep technical expertise.

ANOMALY DETECTION AND PHASE IDENTIFICATION AI can quickly scan SCADA systems, automated meter data, or voltage datasets to detect unusual patterns — identifying issues like mis-phased meters or early signs of equipment failure before they escalate into power outages.

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT By combining satellite imagery, LiDAR data and AIpowered image recognition, co-ops can assess and prioritize vegetation encroachments more efficiently — proactively preventing disruptions and reducing manual fieldwork.

SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE AI can draft job hazard analyses, summarize safety reports, or even generate site-specific assessments — all in minutes. This supports a safer work environment for all co-op employees while easing the documentation burden on safety staff.

AI certainly isn’t a cure-all, but it is a powerful tool when applied thoughtfully. For electric cooperatives, it’s not about chasing tech trends — it’s about solving real-world problems, reducing strain on limited resources, and delivering more value to co-op communities. As AI tools become easier to use and more tailored to the needs of rural utilities, the path forward is clear: co-ops are positioned not just to adopt AI, but to shape how it’s used to better serve their members.

Shane Schwartz writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Colorado Country Life

INDUSTRY

Electric cooperatives are already using artificial intelligence and augmented reality for key tasks and activities. Looking ahead, co-ops see great potential for AI and AR as helpful tools for improving grid reliability and the services they provide to their members.

AI tools like online chatbots can enhance member interactions and provide a tailored experience based on energy use data.

With the help of AI, weather forecasts will become more accurate, pinpointing areas to station utility crews.

Through augmented reality, lineworkers can experience interactive, lifelike trainings, rather than watching a video or webinar.

AI-POWERED UTILITY SCAMS: HOW TO SPOT AND AVOID FRAUD Artificial intelligence can be a powerful and helpful tool for electric co-ops.

Unfortunately, bad actors are also using artificial intelligence to craft utility frauds that may be difficult for co-op members to detect. According to Kathy Stokes, AARP director of Fraud Prevention Programs, “The ability of AI to improve and scale scam tactics is the equivalent of the Industrial Revolution for fraud criminals.” Learn how to protect yourself.

BEWARE OF THESE COMMON SCAM TACTICS

• Disconnection threats — scammers claim your service will be cut off without immediate payment.

• Caller ID spoofing — fraudsters use software to make their calls appear legitimate.

• Overpayment claims — they may say you’ve overpaid and ask for personal or banking information to issue a refund.

• Smishing — scammers send fake text messages that seem to come from your utility company.

• Phishing attempts — beware of emails that look like bills; always verify the sender’s email before clicking links.

If you have any doubt about the status of your electric service, call your electric co-op using the member services phone number on your bill or statement.

PROTECT YOURSELF

• Take your time. Don’t rush into payments or action.

• Verify any communication by calling your utility company directly using the number on your bill.

• Never share personal information. Legitimate companies won’t ask for sensitive details over the phone.

• If someone claims to be a utility worker, request official identification.

If you suspect a scam, report it to your utility company and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Colorado Country Life

October 2025

15

Photo by PIKSEL/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

FEATURE STORY

Caught in the Middle Balancing caregiving between generations

By Pamela A. Keene

C

hances are you know someone who consistently provides care for a family member.

Perhaps that’s you? Either way, you are not alone.

If you’re a caregiver, it’s also very possible you are a member of the sandwich generation — people who balance their time between caring for a spouse or child as well as for a parent.

Statistics tell the tale. The United States Census Bureau projects that the number of adults aged 65 and older will surpass the population of children by 2034 — less than a decade from now. In its 12th Annual Workplace Benefits Study in 2023, Guardian Mutual Insurance Company reports that 53 million U.S. adults care for a spouse, parent or relative, or a child with a disability. That’s up from 43.5 million in 2015.

As people live longer and the population ages, the number of adults in the sandwich generation has also risen significantly. A Pew Research Center study in late 2021 found that adults in their 40s and 50s are most likely to have a child younger than 18 still living at home, as well as a parent aged 65 or older.

“Being a caregiver may present challenges in adapting or finding resources,” said Greg Link,

16 October 2025

director of supportive and caregiver services with the U.S. Administration on Aging. “When you are both caring for an older adult family member with medical or health issues and a child, the dynamic shifts, and often the caregiving responsibility falls to one family member, often women.”

Every situation is different just as every family is different, but having open and candid discussions, particularly long before they are necessary, will help manage expectations, help define responsibilities within the family, and give maximum consideration to the person who needs the care.

A family-focused approach can be effective when having internal conversations and with medical team members. Link said this might not always be possible, but the earlier such conversations begin, it is likely the outcomes can be better for all people involved.

The biggest challenge is lack of preparedness when a family seems to be caught unaware, most often when one family member may notice a decline in the parent but is hesitant to bring it into the open.

Link said that it’s important for each family member to realize that the process will take compromise and negotiation to have a truly workable situaColorado Country Life

Father and son photo by greenleaf123/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

FEATURE STORY tion. Those solutions will vary, particularly with the need to care for a parent or older family member.

“For instance, a possible division of shared responsibilities in caring for a parent would be for one sibling to take the lead in the health care and medical considerations and another to be the main contact for financial issues,” he said. “Of course, just because one or two family members agree to step up, the rest of the family can certainly stay involved.”

The primary caregiver may need a designated backup who can occasionally take the loved one to an appointment or help with housekeeping if the loved one is receiving care at home. Relieving the caregiver for several hours or an overnight stay can allow them personal time with their own family and a chance to attend to their own health and energy.

Regular check-ins with the caregiver — and of course with the loved one — through visits and phone calls can help relieve a caregiver’s feelings of isolation or loneliness, as well as the handling of the day-to-day challenges of ongoing care.

WHO CARES FOR THE CAREGIVER? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on average, family caregivers spend more than 57 hours each week caring for someone who is disabled or living with limitations. That’s more than eight hours a day, all on top of work and other responsibilities; it’s easy to see why many caregivers can feel overwhelmed.

“Caregivers often forget about themselves and their own needs, especially if they don’t have a supportive and engaged network — including family — who check in with the caregiver regularly and can be available to help,” Link said. “More often than not, when the caregiver is doing a good job, people don’t volunteer to help.”

“In reality, it’s usually up to the caregiver to ask for help and support to be able to maintain their own balance between caregiving duties, work, and life demands. And this can be difficult,” Link continued.

“Just by the nature of a caregiver personality, sometimes it’s just easier to stay steadfast and handle everything, but this can lead to burnout, exhaustion, or worse.”

Link encourages family members to help each other. He said to be specific and start with a simple task, such as preparing a meal. Ask other family members to help with meal preparation once a week.

It gives the caregiver a break from the kitchen and it provides an opportunity for other family members to visit with their loved one and the caregiver while being involved in helping. It will also encourage conversation and quality time.

Colorado Country Life

The important thing for caregivers is knowing when to ask for help, and to be specific … It’s much easier to enlist help when the need is specific.”

— Greg Link, U.S. Administration on Aging “The important thing for caregivers is knowing when to ask for help, and to be specific. As the caregiver, identify a need for yourself,” Link said. “As the caregiver, do you need some regular time each week to attend to personal matters? Or perhaps having a weekend away to refresh and recharge? It’s much easier to enlist help when the need is specific.”

FINDING REPRIEVE Caregiver respite is a temporary break from caring for a family member, friend, or loved one, and it takes on many forms. It could be taking a break for a few hours, a few days, or several weeks, bringing in a professional or trained aid to assist with care, asking a family member to do a load of laundry while the caregiver goes outside for a walk; the options for how to spend this time are diverse.

The National Respite Network, archrespite.org, can connect caregivers to organizations in every state that provide access to respite services. This may include temporarily hiring and paying for a professional caregiver or finding home-care options. It offers specific steps to identifying the type of respite that is best for the primary caregiver.

A number of local, regional, and national organizations offer information and support for caregivers as well as provide help for the person being cared for.

Area Agencies on Aging, local departments of human October 2025

17

FEATURE STORY

SOURCES FOR SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE The Eldercare Locator is one of the best websites to visit to learn about resources for older adults and their family caregivers. A public service of the Administration for Community Living, it connects people by ZIP code search to aging and disability resource centers, state units on aging, and local Area Agencies on Aging.

“The Eldercare Locator is comprehensive, and it provides broad-based resources to assist caregivers, family members, and care receivers,” Link said. Funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, part of the Administration for Community Living, it maintains a current database of eldercare facilities and resources across the country that provides information for older adults and caregivers. Website links assist with information about long-term care planning, options for long-term care, and contact information for home- and community-based services available through the Older Americans Act. Information is available to help older adults and their caregivers evaluate mobility needs, identify transportation options in their area, and create a customized plan for the care receiver. Resources are also available for long-distance caregivers, making

transitions from hospitals back to home, housing options for older adults, and home modifications that can allow older adults to continue to live safely in their own homes.

“The information goes into a number of issues, from how to prevent falls at home to ways to avoid financial scams,” Link said.

The website offers an educational guide to benefits for older adults, updated in 2022, to connect eligible people with public and private programs that can assist in paying for health care, prescriptions, food, and utilities.

“Don’t overlook groups like the Alzheimer’s Association, the Parkinson’s Foundation, various organizations that provide information about cancer, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, and similar groups that provide resources and support for patients and caregivers,” Link said.

“The reality is that caregiving will touch many of us in some way, and it is best to be prepared, do some initial research about the availability of resources, and talk — at least in general terms — about how your family can be ready to provide the utmost care and support for your loved ones.”

Pamela A. Keene writes lifestyle, gardening, travel, health care, and consumer articles. She is an avid gardener, has visited seven continents, and is an award-winning photographer.

SIGNS OF CAREGIVER BURNOUT

MANAGING CAREGIVER STRESS

2. Difficulty with sleep, either sleeping too much or not enough

1.

1.

Fatigue, loss of energy

3. Excessive worry 4. Feeling sad or isolated 5. Losing interest in formerly enjoyable activities 6. Missing personal medical appointments 7. Gaining or losing weight 8. Skipping meals or neglecting personal self care 9. Being quick to anger 10. Having frequent headaches, other pain, or health problems

Mayo Clinic offers tips for managing caregiver stress: Ask for and accept help

2. Set goals and divide them into manageable tasks 3. Move more, eat healthy, and drink plenty of water 4. Join a support group 5. Stay connected to family and friends 6. Connect with community resources for meal delivery or house cleaning 7. Focus on the positives and remember that you’re doing the best you can

Cleveland Clinic summarizes common signs of caregiver stress and burnout on its website, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9225-caregiver-burnout.

18 October 2025

Colorado Country Life

Photo by wavebreakmedia/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

or social services, area Easterseals organizations, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are ideal places to start.

Photo by Viktoriia Hnatiuk/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

FEATURE STORY

Legal Checklist for Caregivers According to the American Bar Association, attorneys are often asked for advice about adults who are becoming helpers or caregivers for a family member. The Commission on Law and Aging of the American Bar Association has developed a checklist as preliminary advice for caregivers and their loved ones as they begin this often complex legal and personal relationship.

1.

Understand the person’s capability for making decisions related to their care. Seek help to evaluate and support people with compromised capacity.

2. Know what legal authority you have, which can be through powers of attorney for financial and/ or health care; by default through surrogate laws for health decisions, which vary from state to state; and guardianship or conservatorship proceedings through local courts.

3. Appoint a health care agent — someone to make health care decisions when you are unable to make them for yourself. This can also include guidelines about how decisions should be made, and a talk with trusted loved ones or advisors about what your life priorities are and your goals for the care you want.

4. Complete a financial power of attorney. Do not rely on joint bank accounts to protect all parties.

Consult with an attorney to create documents applicable to your specific situation.

5. Manage Social Security/veterans benefits.

Managing someone else’s Social Security benefits requires being appointed as a representative payee; powers of attorney are not recognized by the SSA. The Department of Veterans Affairs has a similar procedure.

6. Know your rights of access to health information.

Health care providers cannot disclose a patient’s personal health information without consent except in limited circumstances. While the patient still has capacity, they can give you rights to access such information. This can be done by naming you or the caregiver as their health Colorado Country Life

care power of attorney. Otherwise, health care providers have broad discretion under the law to determine what is in the patient’s best interest.

7. Be aware of the signs of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. As a caregiver, you’re the front line of protection against abuse and neglect as well as financial exploitation. Know what action to take when you see red flags.

8. Know your rights if you face family responsibilities discrimination. Working while also caregiving creates enormous demands on caregivers. Being criticized, downgraded, or fired because of the need to take periodic or unplanned time off to care for a loved one may constitute family responsibilities discrimination.

While most states do not prohibit family responsibilities discrimination, legal protections based on other laws may.

9. Understand your rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act, which entitles someone up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave per year to care for a parent, spouse, or child. However, it only applies to employers with more than 50 employees. Some employers voluntarily provide paid family and medical leave; for specifics, check your employee benefits.

10. Consider personal care agreements. Caregiving may require a financial sacrifice, particularly if a caregiver must cut back or give up work because of caregiving responsibilities. A loved one who receives care from a family member may wish to provide compensation to that caregiver.

However, it can create problems with health benefits such as Medicaid, can bring up tax questions, and may create family conflict. Use a formal personal care agreement to spell out terms and expectations.

This article was prepared by the American Bar Association, Commission on Law and Aging, americanbar.org/law_aging. It is intended solely to highlight issues that may arise and is not intended to be and should not be considered as legal advice. For your individual situation, you should consult with a qualified attorney.

October 2025

19

ENERGY EXPERT

Home Efficiency Upgrades Are they worth it?

By Miranda Boutelle

Q: How do I calculate the return on investment when considering home efficiency upgrades?

A: For many people, their home is the biggest investment and the largest purchase they make in their lives.

We want to make sure that we make good decisions to protect and maximize the benefits of the investment in our homes. Energy efficiency upgrades are potential investments that can save money by reducing the energy used in your home and pay for themselves over time. Using return on investment is a common method to determine the benefit of an upgrade. It measures the gain or loss of an investment relative to the cost. ROI is calculated by dividing the net profit — the total cost of the investment subtracted from total revenue generated — by the cost of the investment and multiplying by 100 to find the ROI percentage.

The higher the percentage, the better the investment.

If you take out a loan, home equity line of credit, or use a credit card, add the borrowed money and interest rate into the investment cost.

Let’s put the calculation to work on a couple home project examples. Keep in mind, the numbers used below are hypothetical. Prices will vary based on the scale of your project and the cost of labor and materials in your area.

Adding insulation and air sealing your home are some of the most cost-effective home improvement projects and can save money year-round by reducing the energy needed from your heating and cooling systems. The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that air sealing and insulation can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs or an average of 11% on total energy costs, with higher savings in the North and South because of more extreme temperature swings. Attics, walls, rim joists, or floors over crawlspaces should be insulated. The ROI will vary based on your location, existing insulation levels, and project cost.

20 October 2025

If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, calculate the ROI of adding insulation and air sealing your home.

Let’s say you spend $3,000 to insulate your home, saving $330 per year for the next 20 years. Your net profit is $3,600. Then, divide the net profit by the total cost of the investment, $3,000, and multiply it by 100.

That’s a ROI of 120%.

Rooftop solar is another investment that some people consider. Let’s say a solar system costs $20,000 and is projected to save $30,000 over 25 years. With a net profit of $10,000, the ROI is 50%.

Solar system costs and savings vary depending on where you live, how you pay for the system, and your cost for electricity.

Keep in mind that you will still be grid-tied if you have a rooftop solar system installed. You will still receive a monthly bill from your electric co-op. Some door-to-door solar salespeople promise you’ll see not only a reduction in electricity costs but total elimination of your electric bill. This is not true. If you are considering rooftop solar, it is best to contact your local electric co-op first.

You might be eligible for tax credits or incentives through your electric cooperative, state programs, or federal energy-efficient home improvement and residential clean energy programs to reduce the up-front costs for energy efficiency or renewable energy projects. Federal credits are valid for systems installed this year before December 31.

Most of us have limited funds for investing in our homes. Get project quotes from several different companies and calculate ROIs to make the best decisions for your home and your bank account.

Miranda Boutelle is the chief operating officer at Efficiency Services Group in Oregon, a cooperatively owned energy efficiency company. She has more than 20 years of experience helping people save energy at home.

Colorado Country Life

RELIABILITY FOR EVERY MILE At Tri-State G&T, our energy mix is as diverse as the landscapes we serve.

With renewables, natural gas, battery storage, and more, we’re delivering reliable, affordable power with an electric system that’s built for the long haul. Whether increasing storm resilience or meeting the growing energy demand, the decisions we’re making now will help safeguard reliability in the rural West for years to come.

WHATEVER THE FUTURE HOLDS, WE’LL POWER IT.® Learn more about Tri-State’s energy mix

Tri-State is a not-for-profit power supplier to cooperatives and public power districts in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.

GETAWAY

Marvelous Marble

Experience small-town natural beauty Step back in time as you drive into the tiny hamlet of Marble — an unpaved, unpretentious mountain town known for its mining history, delicious barbecue, and spectacular fall colors.

Located at the headwaters of the Crystal River in the Elk Mountains, Marble is 40 miles south of Glenwood Springs, just off the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway. Weather permitting, October is a wonderful time to visit this hidden gem.

A SOURCE OF PRIDE The area is known for its exquisitely pure marble, hence the town’s name.

Stone from nearby Yule Marble Quarry was used for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. This photo shows Yule marble blocks at the historic work area in Marble, with the stony peak of Treasure Mountain in the background. The quarry itself is farther up in the mountains. This site, now a city park, is a popular tourist destination.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Marble has no gas station or cellphone reception. Carbondale and Paonia are your last stops for fuel and cell service, so plan accordingly.

22 October 2025

Colorado Country Life

Photo by bluerabbit/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

By Becky Jensen

EAT AWARD-WINNING BBQ

GETAWAY

For ridiculously good food, stop at Slow Groovin BBQ for a mindblowing meal of locally sourced prime brisket, pulled pork, house-made sides, and more. Enjoy Colorado craft beers and ciders, or a Slow Groovin signature cocktail, in a down-home welcoming atmosphere. Open seven days a week until they close for the season at the end of October, be sure to call 970-963-4090 to confirm doors are open before you make the drive.

Check out their mouth-watering menu at slowgroovinbbq.com.

Photo courtesy of Slow Groovin BBQ

STAY IN HISTORIC CABINS Immerse yourself in local history when you stay at Beaver Lake Lodge and Cabins on the east end of town.

The main lodge was a school back in the late 1800s, and the five cabins housed quarry workers a century ago. Today, all rooms have been freshly renovated and modernized for comfort without losing their vintage character. Book your stay at beaverlakelodge.com.

Crystal Mill photo by LPEA member Shanda Akin.

CRYSTAL MILL IS A MUST No visit to Marble is complete without seeing the iconic Crystal Mill — one of the most photographed historic landmarks in Colorado. Perched on a rocky outcrop, the former powerhouse is a reminder of the region’s fearless mining heritage.

The wooden mill is especially picturesque in early to mid-October when surrounding aspens are at their golden peak.

GET TO THE MILL It’s an 11-mile round trip to Crystal Mill, give or take, on a rugged four-wheel drive road. You can reach the mill by either hiking the steep grade, driving an off-road vehicle at your own risk, or hiring the experienced pros at Crystal River Jeep Tours to take you up. A great compromise is to buy a oneway jeep ride to the mill, then hike back on your own. For pricing and reservations, call Crystal River Jeep Tours at 970-963-1991.

Colorado Country Life

October 2025

23

RECIPES Yields 16 cookies

INGREDIENTS CHEESECAKE FILLING

8 oz cream cheese, room temperature 4 tbsp granulated sugar ½ tsp vanilla

PUMPKIN COOKIES

Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies Recipe and photo by Audria Rayne

¾ cup canned pumpkin puree 1 cup bread flour, spooned and leveled 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp cream of tartar ½ tsp salt 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup light brown sugar 2 large eggs 2 tsp vanilla

SPICED SUGAR MIX ¼ cup granulated sugar ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice

INSTRUCTIONS CHEESECAKE FILLING

1. Line a small cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2. Put the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla into a mixing bowl.

Mix on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

3. Scoop the cheesecake filling into 16 portions — about 11/2 tbsp each — and place onto the small cookie sheet.

4. Place in the freezer for at least 2 hours, but it is best if they freeze overnight.

PUMPKIN COOKIES

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2. Place three layers of paper towels on a large plate. Spread

24 October 2025

3.

4.

5.

6.

the pumpkin puree over the paper towels to absorb the extra liquid from the puree. You may also place paper towels on top and gently press to remove as much liquid as possible. You will need to repeat this step until little to no liquid is transferred to the paper towels.

In a bowl, sift together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

Add the eggs and vanilla and continue to mix for 1 minute.

Add the dried pumpkin puree and mix for 2-3 minutes on medium speed.

7. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low or by hand until fully combined.

8. Scoop 3 tbsp of cookie dough, roll it into a ball, and slightly flatten.

9. Take one frozen cheesecake ball and place it in the center of the cookie dough.

10. Fold the edges of the cookie dough and close the ball, ensuring no cheesecake is exposed.

Repeat with all of the cookie dough and cheesecake balls.

11. Roll each cookie dough ball in the spiced sugar mix and place on the cookie sheet.

12. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until edges are slightly golden brown.

13. Allow 5-10 minutes to cool.

Colorado Country Life

LIGHT UP NAVAJO

31 HOMES ELECTRIFIED across 5 weeks

A summer of service and powerful connection

Earlier this year, Colorado Country Life readers responded with generosity to a call for support, and that support made a real difference. Thanks to your donations totaling more than $4,500 and a $25,000 donation from GridLiance, Colorado’s electric co-ops were able to gift an electric appliance to Navajo families’ homes that were energized during this year’s Light Up Navajo initiative. Families were able to choose a refrigerator, portable air conditioning unit, storage freezer, or microwave oven to be installed in their newly electrified home.

Between April and July, linecrews from seven Colorado electric cooperatives volunteered one week at a time to help build electric infrastructure in remote communities.

These co-op crews worked alongside the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority to install poles, string wire, energize meters, and bring power to homes that have never been connected to the grid.

BY 36 LINEWORKERS

9 co-op crews from 7 co-ops

31 ELECTRIC APPLIANCES

GIFTED TO NAVAJO FAMILIES

21 refrigerators 7 portable A/C units 1 microwave 2 storage freezers DONATIONS

From the Colorado co-op crews in the field to the families now living with electricity, one message rings clear:

$4,500

from readers

THANK YOU.

$25,000 from

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION Publication Title: COLORADO COUNTRY LIFE; Publication No.: 469-400; Filing Date: September 18, 2025; Issue Frequency: Monthly; No. of Issues Published Annually: 12; Annual Subscription Price: $15; Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor Publisher: Publisher: Cassi Gloe, 455 S. Pierce Street, Lakewood, CO 80226; Editor: Kylee Coleman, 455 S. Pierce Street, Lakewood, CO 80226; Managing editor: Not applicable; Owner Full Name: Colorado Rural Electric Association; Complete Mailing Address: 455 S. Pierce Street, Lakewood, CO 80226; Known Bondholders, Mortgages, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: Has not changed during preceding 12 months.

I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

Cassi Gloe, Publisher 09/18/2025

Colorado Country Life

Extent and nature of circulation

Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months

A.

Total number of copies printed (net press run)

180,918

182,132

B.

Paid and/or requested circulation 180,059

181,351

1. Paid/requested outside-county mail subscriptions

Actual number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date

2. Paid in-county mail subscriptions

0

0

3. Other non-USPS paid distribution

578

557

4. Other classes mailed through USPS

0

0

180,637

181,908

1. Outside-county copies

78

80

2. In-county copies

0

0

3. Other classes mailed through USPS

0

0

4. Other classes mailed outside USPS

203

144

C.

Total paid circulation (total B1 through B4)

D.

Free or nominal rate distribution by mail

E.

Total free or nominal rate distribution (sum of D1 through D4)

F.

Total distribution (sum of C & E)

G.

Copies not distributed

0

0

H.

Total (sum of F & G) — should equal net press run shown in A

180,918

182,132

I.

Percent paid circulation

99.84%

99.88%

J.

Electronic copy circulation a. Paid electronic copies

281

224

180,918

182,132

0

0

b. Total paid print copies + paid electronic copies

180,637

181,908

c. Total print distribution + paid electronic copies

180,918

182,132

d. Percent paid (both print and electronic copies)

99.84%

99.88%

October 2025

25

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Stop feeding prairie dogs.

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Holiday Gift Guide Secure your spot today and make your product shine!

Showcase your brand in the Colorado Country Life Holiday Gift Guide to reach over 175,000 mailboxes and 690,000 readers!

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Y B ER B

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Print Circulation: 175,000 Readership: 690,000 Issues: November and December 2025 Rates: $508.00 (one month) or $965.20 (two months)

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TO RESERVE YOUR AD SPACE, CONTACT CASSI GLOE: 720-407-0712

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Colorado Country Life

LEAVE A LEGACY The Enduring Gift of Gold

Since 2015, gold has surged over 166% — outpacing both the S&P 500 and the Dow during the same period.

Leave a legacy for future generations, nothing embodies this sentiment quite like the enduring gift of gold from American Gold Reserve. With its intrinsic value and historical significance, gold represents stability and prosperity across generations, making it a cherished asset to pass down. Secure your family’s future with a gift that stands the test of time, ensuring a legacy of financial security and enduring value.

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DISCOVERIES

Colorado Microbrews

By Gaylene Garcia Granger

Colorado beer lovers are a little spoiled when it comes to craft beer. With crisp and fruity options or rich, chocolatey stouts, the range of microbrews is as diverse as the state itself. Some brews are decorated with awards; others gain a following after the recommendation of family, friends, and neighbors. One thing is certain: It’s tough to go wrong when you’re hunting for a good, locally brewed pour.

28 October 2025

Colorado Country Life

DISCOVERIES CARVER BREWING CO. — DURANGO

Photo courtesy of Carver Brewing Co.

If you’re seeking an award-winning microbrew, you’ll have plenty of choices at Carver Brewing Company in Durango. This family-owned brewpub run by brother and sister team Colin and Claire Carver is one of the first microbreweries in Colorado, and they’ve been perfecting their beer since 1988. Their beer menu is quite extensive, but here’s the catch: It cannot be bought in liquor stores, so if you want to taste for yourself, it’s time to head to Durango and pull up a stool at the bar, just like a local. This fall, they feature an Oktoberfest beer that is among the most popular of all the beer they make. To peruse the full menu, visit carverbrewing.com.

RAMBLEBINE — GRAND JUNCTION

Ramble refers to the desire to wander, explore, and to do so without a solid plan or expected result.

Similarly, this Grand Junction brewer likes to explore, try new ideas, and not be tied to specific styles. Bine is a resilient hop vine, constantly reaching higher but, like the brewery, always tied to its roots. It’s a philosophy the brewers are as passionate about as their beer. They use traditional brewing methods for classic styles and push the envelope to explore new flavor and aroma profiles for modern beers. They are best known for their IPAs, fruit sours, and lagers, and this fall you can also taste a local favorite, Loki White Stout — a blond ale that tastes like a full-bodied stout with coffee and hazelnut tones. Co-owner Eli Gerson says that customers “flip over it.” Check out more flavors at ramblebinebrewing.com.

Photo courtesy of Ramblebine

MOUNTAIN MERMAN — LA VETA

Photo courtesy of Mountain Merman

Colorado Country Life

When Jen and JD Lind were looking for a place to open their brewery and tap room, they could hardly believe their luck in coming upon the town of La Veta. It had everything they were looking for in a small mountain town — good community, stunning beauty, and great fly-fishing. What really clinched the decision? It didn’t have a brewery … yet. As Jen puts it, “La Veta has some magic, and the town has welcomed us with open arms.” Mountain Merman is aptly named for JD’s passion for fly-fishing.

Jen says, “If he could grow a tail and jump in, he would!” When he’s not on the water, JD is prepping the next batch of Gold Hackle hefeweizen, Tailwaters light lager, or a seasonal fruity beer. Using quality locally grown wheat, barley, and yeast, Mountain Merman supports local grain growers with every sip. See what’s on tap at mountainmerman.com.

October 2025

29

READER PHOTOS

Joanna DeSanto takes a break from sightseeing in London and York in the United Kingdom to snap a photo with her copy of CCL. Joanna is a member of Sangre de Cristo Electric.

Lonnie and Kathy Brown, San Isabel Electric members, explore 11 ports while cruising to Iceland, Norway, Scotland, and England. Thanks for bringing CCL along!

Sangre de Cristo Electric member Darwin Barrie brings CCL to Des Moines, Iowa, to celebrate his mom’s 105th birthday. Pictured are his wife Mary, sister Teresa, and daughter Heather.

Ramona and Kenny Phipps, Highline Electric Association members, take their copy of CCL to Steamboat Springs.

PACK. Show us your SNAP. adventures with the magazine SHARE. for a chance

WIN!

In 1986, Mountain View Electric member Paul Krause was posted to the U.S. Army Hospital in Berlin. Here’s Paul in Berlin in July with CCL at the Allied Museum and the world-famous Checkpoint Charlie, the gateway to East Berlin.

to WIN $25.

Upload your photo with CCL on our website at coloradocountrylife.coop.

Find more reader photos on Facebook @COCountryLife and Instagram @cocountrylife.

30 October 2025

Chase Gertge, 12, catches up on some summer reading with the magazine at Medicine Creek Lake in Nebraska. Chase is a member of Y-W Electric.

Kevin and Nanette Hartig, members of Poudre Valley REA, bring CCL to Breisach, Germany, and take a photo at the historic gate at the entrance to the road leading to Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, which overlooks the town.

Young Mountain View Electric members, the Kotts kids, take a photo with the magazine while on safari in Botswana.

Dad, Matt, is behind the camera.

Colorado Country Life

Oh, SHELL NO Colorado’s beer industry could be impacted by Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Take Action Be a Pain in the ANS

cpw.info/PainIntheANS Botón de traducción disponible en el sitio web.

CPW (IE/BC_EK/IND) 08/28/2025

W O D N R & WI

E L A S R E P SU DOO

Call by October 31

Save

Save

$350 $850 on every window

on every patio and entry door

1

1

NO Interest for 4 YEARS

2

if paid in full

Interest is billed during promo period but will be waived if the amount financed is paid in full before 48-month promo period expires.

Patio & Entry Doors:

Windows:

Renewal by Andersen:

Our beautiful doors will transform the look of your home and are built to operate even during extreme temperature changes.

The combination of our composite Fibrex® frames and our reinforced window seals helps provide year-round comfort.

We aim to make replacing your windows and doors an affordable project and the best home improvement experience you’ve ever had.

Call for your FREE Window and Door Consultation

303-562-2548 TopWindowsColorado.com

1 Subject to availability, on a total purchase of 6 or more windows and/or 2 or more entry or patio doors. $350 off windows and $850 off doors discount valid during first appointment only. Cannot be combined with other offers. To qualify for discount offer, initial contact for an appointment with purchase must be made and documented on or before 10/31/25. Products are marketed, sold and installed (but not manufactured) by Renewal by Andersen retailers, which are independently owned and operated under Window Warmth, LLC d/b/a Renewal by Andersen of Colorado. CO Lic. # 244783. NM Lic. # 399874. See complete information and entity identification at www.rbaguidelines.com. ©2025 Andersen Corporation. ©2025 Lead Surge LLC. All rights reserved.

2 Plan 6148. Subject to credit approval. Loan term is 48 months at fixed rate of 0.00% APR. For example, assuming the full credit limit is used on loan approval date, for every $1,000 financed at 0% APR, 48 monthly payments of $20.84. This example is an estimate only. Actual payment amounts based on amount and timing of purchases. Call 866-936-0602 for financing costs and terms. Loans for the GreenSky® consumer loan program are provided by Synovus Bank, Member FDIC, NMLS #408043, without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, or familial status. GreenSky Servicing, LLC services the loans on behalf of your lender, NMLS #1416362. www.nmlsconsumeraccess. org. GreenSky® is a registered trademark of GreenSky, LLC and is licensed to banks and other financial institutions for their use in connection with that consumer loan program. GreenSky Servicing, LLC is a financial technology company that manages the GreenSky® consumer loan program by providing origination and servicing support to banks and other financial institutions that make or hold program loans. GreenSky, LLC and GreenSky Servicing, LLC are not lenders. All credit decisions and loan terms are determined by program lenders.