August Sparks

Power Hour Coming Soon! 

We are SO excited to finally announce our first Power Hour event that is happening on August 22nd at 10 a.m. at the Chuckaboo Station (947 Sherman Street) in Potter, NE! During these events, you will be able to visit with High West employees, Board Members, and enjoy yummy treats! This is a great time for us to communicate about your questions or concerns, as well as enjoy refreshments and giveaway items!

We will be holding more Power Hour events throughout our service territory, so if you can't make it to this one, we will have more opportunities for you to visit with us in different locations!

See you on August 22nd! 💡⚡️

Power Hour


Power in Your Hands  

Jared Routh

Being part of a cooperative is unique as we operate a little differently than other utilities. High West Energy’s decisions are made locally, by member directors who also live right here in our community. Everyone who pays to receive electricity from the co-op is a member. When you pay your electric bill each month, your money stays here – to pay for the electricity used, or to make improvements to our local system to strengthen service reliability. The money you pay the co-op doesn’t line the pockets of shareholders five states away. We’re a co-op, and we exist to provide a service to you, our local members. 

You may notice that throughout the year, we schedule opportunities for you to communicate with us about any questions or concerns you may have, like our annual meeting. We are excited to now offer Power Hours where you will be able to join us in person for refreshments, giveaway items, and have a chance to speak with us about your cooperative. Our success lies in your satisfaction, which is why we offer these opportunities to engage and listen to what you have to say.  

Because you’re part of an electric cooperative, you can count on our team to maintain local jobs, at-cost electricity and first-class service, no matter what the economy––and supply chain issues–throw at us.  

High West Energy is striving to keep our costs as low as possible so we can keep more money in your pocket. We want to help you maximize the value you can get from our services and offerings. For example, we can help you save money in other areas of your life using the different efficiency rebates we offer. You can find these rebates located on the home page of our website at www.highwest.coop or please feel free to call our office at 307-245-3261 to discuss these in further detail.  

If you want to receive important information from High West Energy, sign up for different notifications including text messages, phone calls, or emails through SmartHub, which is located on our website. You can also stay in the know by following us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or through our Sparks newsletter.  

Please know that you––the members of High West Energy––are at the heart of everything we do. Co-ops adhere to seven guiding cooperative principles that reflect core values of honesty, transparency, equity, inclusiveness, and service.  

We exist to serve you and provide the quality, reliable, friendly service you expect and deserve. While we’ve grown over the years, we’re still driven by the same guiding principles to serve our community. We hope to see or hear from you soon. This co-op was created for you, the members. The power is in your hands.   


Recipe of the Month- Mushroom Swiss Smash Burgers

Ingredients: 

  • ½ cup mayonnaise

  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

  • ¾ teaspoon truffle oil

  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh parsley

  • 1 clove garlic, grated

  • 1 ¼ teaspoons salt, divided

  • ⅛ teaspoon plus 1/2 tsp. black pepper

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1 (16 ounce) package sliced cremini mushrooms

  • 5 sprigs thyme

  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder

  • ¼ teaspoon paprika

  • 1 ¼ pounds ground chuck

  • 4 slices Swiss cheese

  • 4 kaiser rolls, split and toasted

Directions: 

  1. Whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, truffle oil, parsley, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl.

  2. Melt butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in mushrooms and thyme sprigs; cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are tender and golden brown, about 10 minutes. Discard thyme sprigs. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and Worcestershire sauce. Transfer mushroom mixture to a bowl; keep warm for serving. Wipe out skillet.

  3. Stir together garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper for the rub. Divide beef into 4 portions; gently shape into balls.

  4. Heat same skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches as needed, add meat portions to dry skillet; press down firmly with a flat spatula or grill press into 41/2-inch-diameter patties. Sprinkle evenly with rub. Cook 2 minutes per side or until well browned. Top patties with Swiss cheese and cook about 30 seconds until cheese is melted and an instant- read thermometer inserted into centers registers at least 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).

  5. To assemble burgers, spread bun tops and bottoms with truffle mayo. Fill buns with patties and sautéed mushrooms.

*To toast buns, heat 1 teaspoon canola oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Toast buns cut sides down until golden and crisp on edges, 1 to 2 minutes.

**This recipe is from allrecipes.com. 


Upcoming Events

Pine Bluffs Trail Days: August 3-6

Laramie County Fair: August 2-12

Laramie County Fair Ranch Rodeo: August 6

Kimball County Rubber Race: August 12

Kimball County Fair and Rodeo: August 12-13

Wyoming State Fair: August 18

Bushnell Day: August 19

Power Hour (Potter, NE.): August 22

Nebraska State Fair: August 25-September 4