It's YOU, our employees that make the cooperative difference so special!
There are so many reasons why Grand Valley Power is a great place to work, but the impact that GVP employees make in our hometown community is what powers the cooperative difference. From purchasing a car full of new toys for Toys for Tots to supporting our active military troops, YOU have always been there for our members and we can't thank our employees enough for all they do.
Some may wonder why Grand Valley Power is so involved in our community and the answer is simple - concern for community is built into the way cooperatives do business! As an essential utility provider, our community looks to organizations, like Grand Valley Power, to help lead the way to a bigger and brighter future. That's why it's important to support each community located in GVP's service territory because together we can make a BIG impact.
Whether you're new to the crew or a long-time co-op employee, we encourage all to read about our hometown partnerships and the purpose behind our efforts. Again, we can't do this alone and it's our employees that power the cooperative difference.
Go Baby Go Powered Mobility Program
Every four years, Grand Valley Power employees vote on an organization to support as our annual community giveback project. In 2023, employees chose to support the Adaptive Sports Connection, a 501©3 organization dedicated to serving children, veterans, and adults with disabilities through outdoor and therapeutic recreation and education. The Adaptive Sports Connection has a national program called the Go Baby Go Powered Mobility Program, which brings mobility to children who otherwise may not have it. The collaboration between Family Health West and Colorado Mesa University provides small electric cars customized for each child's individual mobility need.
Youth Programs & Events
Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp
Each year, GVP sends two students to the Colorado Electric Education Institute’s Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp (CYLC) in Clark, Colorado, just outside Steamboat Springs in July. Here they will join approximately 90 other students from Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming to improve upon their leadership skills, set up and operate a cooperative, participate in legislative forums and enjoy some classic Colorado activities like rafting, riding gondolas, and touring the Trapper Mine. Read our brochure below for more information on the activities for each day.
Washington D.C. Youth Tour
Every year Grand Valley Power sponsors one student to travel to Washington D.C. to explore historic landmarks, meet our fellow congressman and students from across the country. Here they will join students from across the nation and have the opportunity to explore historic landmarks including the Kenney Center, Lincoln Memorial, and much more! For more information about Grand Valley Power's youth leadership programs, we encourage our employees to visit gvp.org/youth-leadership-programs.
Each year, Grand Valley Power awards over $20,000 in scholarship funds to local students continuing their post-secondary education. The cooperative offers nine scholarship awards that range in amount from $1,500 to $2,000. These scholarship opportunities are open to any applicant residing in a home served by Grand Valley Power with exception to the Western Colorado Community College Electric Lineworker Scholarship that is open to any current Mesa County resident.
A committee of past educators appointed by the board of directors will review all applications received by the due date and select an awardee. The committee selects scholarship recipients based on a combination of weighted criteria, including financial need, academic, volunteer or work achievements and a personal essay. Grand Valley Power has been awarding scholarships since 1996 and has given back over $258,000 to local youth for education and training.
For questions about the scholarship program or requirements, please email scholarships@gvp.org or call us at 970-242-0040.
Each year, Grand Valley Power supports Mesa County Safety Council by participating in their annual safety fair hosted at Mesa Mall. GVP linemen present the importance of electrical safety by showcasing our high-voltage electric demonstration. This event is widely popular and attended by all local 2nd through 8th grade students. In 2021, the event was moved to a virtual platform in effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As a result, Grand Valley Power's high voltage electric demonstration is now available online at the convenience of your finger tips by visiting our YouTube channel or mesacountysafetycouncil.org/2021-virtual-safety-fair/.
Each year, Grand Valley Power sponsors an educational event hosted by Rocky Mountain PBS Kids. Grand Valley Power typically participates in this event by providing swag items or hosting a fun event booth! However, the coronavirus pandemic has made event hosting challenging and past in-person events have been cancelled. Thankfully, Rocky Mountain PBS was able to reimagine their in-person event and hosted a drive-thru experience that provided kids with a packet of fun and educational activities while learning from home.
Community Partners
Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce
About This Organization
Grand Valley Power is a proud member of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, an organization dedicated to providing opportunities for local business development and a voice for business owners in our community. Being a part of the GJ Chamber is important to the cooperative model because along with our members, we live here too! This is one of the many ways Grand Valley Power supports our membership and assists with community growth.
Grand Junction Economic Partnership
About This Organization
Grand Valley Power is a proud member of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership (GJEP) supporting economic development efforts to ensure our communities thrive. GJEP's dynamic ecosystem of support connects local businesses with leaders across the valley while actively participating in the valley's economic future. It's essential for GVP to participate in this mission to ensure the financial health of the cooperative and economic success across the communities we serve.
Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce
About This Organization
Grand Valley Power is a proud member of the Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce. From advocating for businesses throughout Fruita to supporting the whole valley, FACC is committed to facilitating productive relationships while helping members succeed. It's important for the cooperative to have a presence throughout our whole service territory as concern for community is one built into our guiding principles and the foundation of our business. GVP frequently participates in annual events such as the Fruita Parade of Lights and Truck N' Treat.
Palisade Chamber of Commerce
About This Organization
The Palisade of Commerce is organized for the purpose of uniting the people of Palisade engaged in its commerce, industry, and the professions so they may work together for the betterment and development of Palisade and its trade area. Grand Valley Power is an active member of this organization to better represent cooperative members who reside in this area.
Town of Collbran
About The Town of Collbran
Commonly referred to as Plateau Valley, the Town of Collbran was founded in 1882 and incorporated in 1908 and is considered to be "one of the last old." As the primary provider of electric service, it's essential for Grand Valley Power to be present in this community and support our membership where the co-op sees fit.
Glade Park
About Glade Park
Located at the top of Colorado's National Monument, Glade Park is a tiny unincorporated community hidden 35 minutes south of Fruita. Grand Valley Power actively engages with this community as the main sponsor for the popular summer-long event, Glade Park Movies Under the Stars. This event supports the Glade Park Volunteer Fire Department. Funds raised from this event contribute to the volunteer fire department needs in Glade Park.