Energy education program reaches 2,300 students in 2023

Local program to continue in Estes Park for the 2023-24 school year

FORT COLLINS, Colo., – Building upon its pilot program in 2022, the Think! Energy with Efficiency Works education program achieved significant success in 2023, engaging more than 2,000 fourth grade students in Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland.

More than 60 fourth grade students at Estes Park Elementary School participated in the program in 2023.

"The Town of Estes Park is committed to encouraging and supporting the sustainability efforts of our Estes Park Schools,” says Travis Machalek, Town Administrator for Estes Park. “It is rewarding to see this successful collaboration between the School District, Platte River Power Authority, and the Town to engage our students in conservation and sustainability efforts."

The program’s curriculum included interactive activities to teach students about energy sources (including renewable energy), presentations on how energy and water is used in our daily lives and tips on how to conserve energy and water. Each participating student received a conservation kit, which included LED light bulbs, faucet aerators and a high efficiency showerhead. The students were encouraged to install these items in their homes, experiencing firsthand the impact of efficient choices.

“The energy industry is evolving every day as we work towards a cleaner energy future,” said Bryce Brady, who oversees Efficiency Works programs as the Energy Solutions Manager at Platte River Power Authority. “Platte River understands that the success of this evolution depends on partnerships and education. This program exemplifies the power of partnerships and how important education will be to sustain the shift to a cleaner energy future.”

The collaboration between Platte River Power Authority, Estes Park Power and Communications and the Estes Park School District were critical to the program’s success. The Think! Energy with Efficiency Works program will continue for fourth grade students in the 2023-24 school year.

Efficiency Works programs are available to residential or commercial customers of Estes Park Power and Communications, Fort Collins Utilities, Longmont Power & Communications and Loveland Water and Power. To learn more about how you can participate, contact your utility or visit www.EfficiencyWorks.org. 

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Efficiency Works

Efficiency Works unites the energy efficiency offerings of the northern Colorado utilities of Estes Park Power and Communications, Fort Collins Utilities, Longmont Power & Communications, Loveland Water and Power, and Platte River Power Authority. Efficiency Works offers a variety of products and services to help customers save energy, water and money.

Estes Park Power and Communications

Since the earliest days of electric service in the Estes Valley, the Town of Estes Park’s electric department has expanded to meet the community’s electricity needs. In the early days, this meant expanding capacity and service areas beyond the Estes Valley to communities to the north and south, including Glen Haven and Allenspark. The department serves 11,030 customers across nearly 300 square miles of mountainous terrain. In 2019, Estes Park launched a community-owned and operated broadband service to the electric service area transforming Light & Power into Power and Communications.

Platte River Power Authority

Platte River Power Authority is a not-for-profit, community-owned public power utility that generates and delivers safe, reliable, environmentally responsible and financially sustainable energy and services to Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland, Colorado, for delivery to their utility customers.