As summer temperatures rise in southwest Colorado, staying cool can become more than a comfort issue. For people without reliable cooling, people who work outside, older adults, young children and residents in older homes or trailers, heat can become a public-health concern. But cooling a home also costs money, and local utility customers may see higher electric bills this summer.
Montezuma County Public Health officials say they pay attention to the National Weather Service’s HeatRisk forecast when planning for extreme heat. Trent Woods with the county health department said orange, red and magenta HeatRisk levels raise concern for people who are more sensitive to heat, including older adults, children, outdoor workers, people without air conditioning, people experiencing homelessness and people with medical conditions that can be worsened by heat.
Woods said decisions about whether to open a cooling center depend on the specific event, including how hot it will get, how long the heat will last, local impacts, available facilities and partner capacity. He said emergency management, public health, elected officials and community partners may all play a role in those conversations.
Transportation is also part of the concern in a rural county. Woods said some residents may not have an easy way to get to a cooler place, medical care or other support during extreme heat.
Cortez Public Library is one place residents already use to cool off during regular business hours. Library Director LeRoy Harris said people use the library’s shade, air conditioning and drinking fountain during the summer. But he said the library is currently an informal cooling space, not a formal emergency heat shelter.
The library is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed Sunday. Harris said the library offers air conditioning, public computers, a drinking fountain and space to sit. Food and drink are allowed, though not near library computers, and well-behaved dogs are allowed.
The county’s emergency operations plan does not appear to include a heat-specific response annex or automatic cooling-center trigger. But the plan does identify extreme heat as a local hazard and uses an all-hazards framework that can apply to a range of emergencies. The plan includes general systems for public health coordination, emergency alerts, mass care, transportation support and planning for people with access and functional needs.
On the utility side, Empire Electric Association says members may see higher bills this summer because of an increase in the Power Cost Adjustment that took effect in January. The co-op says it did not change base rates in 2026, but the Power Cost Adjustment is tied to the cost of power Empire buys from Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association.
Andy Carter, Empire’s member engagement manager, said the cost of cooling a home depends on weather, thermostat settings, insulation, windows, home construction and the type of cooling equipment being used.
Carter said a fan uses far less electricity than a whole-house evaporative cooler, traditional air conditioner or air-source heat pump. He said a typical fan on high may cost between half a cent and one and a half cents per hour to run, while a whole-house evaporative cooler may cost between five and 15 cents per hour. A traditional air-conditioning unit may cost between 17 and 51 cents per hour, while an air-source heat pump may cost between 11 and 34 cents per hour, depending on the rate and time of day.
Estimated cost to run common cooling equipment
| Cooling option | Estimated hourly cost |
|---|---|
| Fan | $0.005 to $0.015 |
| Whole-house evaporative cooler | $0.05 to $0.15 |
| Traditional AC | $0.17 to $0.51 |
| Air-source heat pump | $0.11 to $0.34 |
Source: Empire Electric Association. Costs vary depending on rate plan, time of day, equipment and household use.
Carter said Empire uses an estimate of about 100 hours per month of cooling during the summer. Using that estimate, he said running a traditional AC unit half the time on peak and half the time off peak would cost about $34 per month. An air-source heat pump would cost about $22.50 per month under the same assumption.
Empire does not have a special disconnection policy for extreme heat or cold. Carter said the co-op’s disconnect procedures comply with applicable Colorado laws and Public Utility Commission rules.
He said customers who are worried about falling behind should call Empire as soon as possible. Carter said the co-op can work with members case by case and may extend the time to pay beyond the original due date, but payment arrangements generally cannot extend beyond two billing periods. Once power is disconnected, he said it is too late to make a payment arrangement.
Questions to ask about your electric bill
Am I on the best rate plan for my household?
Ask about flat-rate billing, peak and off-peak rates, and whether another option may better match when your household uses the most electricity.
What are the current peak and off-peak hours?
Off-peak hours can make a difference for major appliances, but residents should confirm current times directly with Empire Electric.
What should I do if I might fall behind?
Empire Electric says customers should call before their power is disconnected. Payment arrangements may be available case by case.
Are energy audits or rebates available?
Ask about energy audits, possible reimbursement, and rebates for efficient heating and cooling equipment.
Which appliances use the most electricity?
Ask for help understanding your meter and household energy use, especially if you use electric cooling, an electric range, a dryer or other high-use appliances.
Empire refers members who cannot pay their bills to local and state assistance agencies. The co-op also matches member donations to Energy Outreach Colorado until budgeted funds are exhausted. If unmatched funds remain at the end of the year, Empire donates the remaining money to the Piñon Project, which Carter identified as a local assistance agency and local representative for Energy Outreach Colorado.
Empire also offers energy efficiency and electrification rebates in partnership with Tri-State. Those rebates can apply to several categories, including efficient heating and cooling equipment.
Residents looking to lower summer bills can ask Empire about rate options, payment arrangements, rebates and energy audits. Practical steps may include shifting major appliance use to off-peak hours, running high-use appliances one at a time, washing clothes in cold water, sealing air leaks around windows and ceiling fixtures, using window coverings to block sunlight and switching to LED bulbs.
Small ways to reduce cooling costs
- Use shades or curtains to block direct sunlight.
- Open windows when outdoor temperatures cool down, then close them before the house heats up.
- Run major appliances one at a time.
- Shift high-use appliances to off-peak hours if your rate plan rewards it.
- Wash clothes in cold water.
- Seal air leaks around windows, doors, ceiling fixtures and other gaps.
- Switch incandescent bulbs to LEDs.
- Ask about rebates before buying new cooling equipment.
Public health officials say residents should also pay attention to heat symptoms and check on people who may be more vulnerable during hot weather. During extreme heat, people can reduce risk by drinking water, avoiding the hottest parts of the day when possible, finding air-conditioned spaces and seeking medical help if symptoms become serious.
For local alerts, residents can sign up for Montezuma County emergency notifications. During extreme heat events, county officials may also share information through county and partner communications, social media, community organizations and local media.
