Holy Cross Energy (HCE), the Glenwood Springs-based electric cooperative, provided 100% renewable electricity to its 45,000 members stretching from Vail to Parachute to Aspen in March of this year — a remarkable milestone HCE hopes to hit every month of the year by 2030.

“This achievement marks a significant milestone in HCE’s ‘100×30’ goal of providing 100% renewable electricity to its members and communities by 2030,” Holy Cross Energy stated in a press release Tuesday. 

“Providing 100% renewable electricity — even for just one month — is an important achievement and reflects the hard work of our employees and the vision of our board of directors,” HCE President and CEO Bryan Hannegan said in the release.

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“While this is a proud moment, we still have important work ahead to achieve our 2030 goal throughout an entire year, in a responsible way that continues to safely provide the affordable and reliable electricity supply we all depend upon,” Hannegan added.

In 2026 so far, HCE has provided an average of 92% clean energy to its members through the end of April, with some hours surpassing 100% and others dipping below, which requires supplemental non‑renewable generation (coal, natural gas) to meet demand. As recently as 2006, HCE invested $100 million in the coal-fired Comanche 3 power plant in Pueblo before moving in a greener direction with board turnover in 2010.

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As for hitting 100% renewable for a month, HCE cited a combination of mild temperatures in March and favorable conditions for the production of electricity at the member-owned coop’s portfolio of renewable energy resources, such as the Bronco Plains II wind farm it shares with Guzman Energy, the Hunter Solar array shared with CORE Electric Cooperative, three solar-plus-storage facilities connected directly to the HCE distribution system, and a variety of distributed solar and hydro facilities throughout the service territory.

Town of Vail Environmental Sustainability Director Kristen Bertuglia cheered HCE hitting the 100% mark in March.

“As a former Holy Cross Energy board member, I am incredibly proud to see the cooperative reach this milestone and demonstrate that ambitious clean energy goals can be achieved while maintaining the reliability and affordability that members expect,” Bertuglia said. “Providing renewable electricity equivalent to 100% of member needs for an entire month is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to the leadership, innovation, and persistence of Holy Cross Energy’s staff, board, and partners. Holy Cross truly is leading the way to the clean energy future.”

Two local board hopefuls in the current election also chimed in.

“It gives me chills to hear that, for the first time, the electricity provided by Holy Cross in the month of March was 100% renewable,” said former Avon Mayor Sarah Smith Hymes, a candidate for the HCE board in the current election. “It’s so gratifying to reach this milestone after so many years of so many people believing in the possibility of a clean energy future. Thanks to brains, guts, and amazing partnerships, the future has arrived.

“The goal of 100% reliable, affordable renewable electricity by 2030 that once seemed aspirational may be within reach if we continue with the pragmatic, inspired leadership that has gotten us this far,” Smith Hymes added.

Voting for two seats on the HCE board of directors is happening now, and ballots must be received digitally or by mail by June 9, or they can be delivered in person at the coop’s annual meeting between 5-6 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, at 4 Eagle Ranch in Wolcott.

Responding to Tuesday’s 100% announcement, Smith Hyme’s opponent for the northern district board seat, Liz Qualman, was equally complimentary of current and past boards, as well as staff.

“Strong leadership is about planning for the future while protecting what matters today,” Qualman said. “Holy Cross Energy’s achievement of delivering 100% renewable electricity in March demonstrates what is possible when a member-owned cooperative combines thoughtful executive and board leadership with a long-term vision for quality of life. As we continue toward the 2030 goal of 100% clean energy, affordability, reliability, innovation, and preserving the mountain communities we love must remain at the center of every decision.”

In 2026 so far, approximately 60% of HCE’s clean energy has been generated by projects built specifically for HCE and contracted to the coop, providing electricity that is time‑matched (aligned with usage on an hourly basis) with Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).

HCE’s local partners also praised the coop’s achievement.

“Providing 100% renewable electricity by 2030 is an important goal for Eagle County’s Climate Action Plan,” said Kim Burke, director of climate strategy for the Climate Action Collaborative. “Kudos to Holy Cross Energy for achieving this milestone and playing a crucial role in reducing the community’s greenhouse gas emissions.”

“Holy Cross Energy is a leader in our community and beyond, showing that this is possible anywhere,” said Nikki Maline, energy programs director for Walking Mountains. “Their efforts allow individual homeowners and businesses to take action that has a greater impact, helping us achieve our shared goals.” 

HCE’s strategic partnership with The Energy Authority (TEA) also played a critical role in this spring’s achievement, according to the HCE release, which went on to explain TEA acted as an extension of HCE’s staff, “leveraging advanced analytics to maximize renewable energy procurement while maintaining grid reliability and affordability. Residual energy supply and capacity needs are met through HCE’s wholesale power supply agreement with Xcel Energy, which itself is increasing its renewable power supply.”