Informational Community Assistance Plan for the City of Craig and Moffat County, Colorado

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Estimated reading time: 30+ minutes

Why This Matters for Rural Electric Co-ops

This report shows how a G&T, two local governments, and state agencies worked together to plan for the closure of Craig Station. Coal production and the plant together make up about 47% of Moffat County's property tax revenue. The report lays out nine assistance options to consider, from an economic development fund to water rights and siting preferences for new generation. About seven weeks after it was filed, Tri-State reached a separate settlement with Craig and Moffat County. That settlement includes $22 million in direct payments and up to $48 million in property tax backstop payments.

The closure story is not settled. Since December 2025, DOE has used emergency authority to keep Craig Unit 1 available past its planned retirement, and Tri-State has said its member co-ops will ultimately carry those costs. A co-op or G&T facing a plant retirement can use this report as a model for structured community negotiation, while planning for the risk that federal action changes timelines and costs midstream. Some federal programs it cites have since changed, though the information may still help co-ops that already have approved awards.

Key Takeaways

Implementation Considerations

• Cost or Funding Requirements: Community commitments can be large, and DOE emergency orders can add unrecovered operating costs that fall on members. Boards should weigh both when planning retirements. Several federal programs cited have since changed or closed, so co-ops without an approved award should confirm current availability before relying on them.
• Regulatory or Governance Considerations: This plan grew out of a state utility commission settlement, and Colorado has a dedicated Office of Just Transition. Co-ops in states without similar requirements or agencies may need to build the process and partnerships themselves.
• Time-Sensitive Information: The DOE order on Craig Unit 1 currently runs through December 25, 2026, and may be renewed again. State grant figures and federal program details reflect 2024, so check current amounts and availability before planning around them.

Notable Examples

• Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association: Operating agent for Craig Station and the G&T at the center of the plan, which reached a settlement with Craig and Moffat County in June 2024.
• Great Plains Institute: Neutral facilitator that ran the process and wrote the report.
• Moffat County and the City of Craig: Host communities that defined priorities, including an economic development fund and water rights.
• Colorado Office of Just Transition: State agency that co-funded facilitation and provides grants to coal transition communities.
• Platte River Power Authority: Craig Unit 1 co-owner that has joined Tri-State in challenging the DOE emergency order.

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Estimated reading time: 30+ minutes