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.
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Northern Colorado Power Company was the forerunner of Public Service Company and Xcel Energy.
- Fort Collins residents vote in favor of a municipal utility.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.