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Light & Power History Timeline#

Fort Collins Light, Heat and Power Company commissioned first electric generating plant for 10 street lights.
Electric trolley system built in Fort Collins.
Northern Colorado Power Company purchases the Fort Collins system and creates regional grid in Northern Colorado. 

Northern Colorado Power Company was the forerunner of Public Service Company and Xcel Energy.

Fort Collins residents vote in favor of a municipal utility.

After a series of 'no' votes, Fort Collins residents voted 2,659 to 1,704 in favor of a municipal utility. 

City of Fort Collins begins electric utility acquired from Public Service Company.
City of Fort Collins Municipal Power Plant begins operation along the Poudre River on North College.

The building is currently used by CSU Powerhouse Energy Campus, where students develop innovative solutions to energy challenges that can have global impact.

Fort Collins installs the first electric traffic signal at College and Mountain.

A whistle sounded each time the light changed.

78 homes on Circle Drive receive first underground cable installation using surplus war material.
Bureau of Reclamation's hydroelectric facilities become part of City of Fort Collins' resource mix.
City Ordinance passed requiring all new subdivision utility installations to be constructed underground.
The cities of Fort Collins, Longmont, Loveland and Estes Park form Platte River Municipal Power Association for joint generation and transmission resource development.
Municipal Power Plant ceases operation.
Rawhide Energy Station begins production.
Underground conversion program begins.
Platte River Power Authority invests in wind energy at Medicine Bow.
Fort Collins Utilities becomes the first utility in Colorado, and is among the first in the nation, to offer customers the option to purchase wind power.
Rawhide is named the 5th cleanest coal-fired power plant in the nation.
Energy Supply Policy adopted.
Energy efficiency customer rebate programs begin.
Underground conversion program is completed.

Currently, over 99% of the distribution system is underground, making it one of the most reliable electric distribution systems in the country. 

620 kilowatt Riverside community Solar Array completed in partnership with Clean Energy Collective.
Rawhide Solar Flats (30 megawatts) begins operation.

Did You Know?

Setting your air conditioner's temperature higher and using portable fans or ceiling fans helps keep your house cool while saving energy.

Sink strainers can catch food waste to prevent expensive clogs and pipe backups.

Cleaning your dryer filter regularly prevents lint build ups that can reduce airflow resulting in clothes not drying completely.