Capital Credit Information

Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (SDCEA) is a not-for-profit electric cooperative. At the end of the year, our financial statements show whether revenue exceeded costs and resulted in a positive margin. Margins are used by SDCEA for operating capital and, over time, may be paid back to our members in the form of capital credit refunds when the financial position of the cooperative permits and policy provisions are met.

If you had electric service with SDCEA during a year for which the board of directors has approved the return of capital credits, that amount will be reflected as a bill credit on your November bill. For those who move to a new location and no longer receive service on our lines, it is important to leave a forwarding address with us, as we will send you a refund check instead of a bill credit.

In December 2025, SDCEA processed capital credit retirements in the amount of $269,521 for the years 1998 and 2005, which included account credits to 3,563 active accounts and 3,676 checks mailed to inactive accounts.

When members receive bill credits or refund checks for capital credits, it might seem puzzling to see a rate increase in the same year. However, these refunds are distributed to members as a return on past investments and the debt used to fund the poles, wires, and infrastructure from the years the credits cover. Current rates, on the other hand, are set to support the investments needed for the system today.

Click here to see a list of names from SDCEA’s 2025 capital credit retirement to whom checks were mailed that were returned because we did not have a valid address. Or, in some cases, checks were simply not cashed.

If you recognize a name on this list, please have the person or their heirs contact us.

Email us or call 719 395-2412 or toll-free 844 395-2412.