Basic Charges are charges designed by the utility to recover customer specific costs. Customer costs are those operating and capital costs found to vary with the number of consumers regardless, or almost regardless, of the power consumption. Such costs include the costs related to the service drop wire to the home or business, and the costs of metering and billing. Obviously, these costs are incurred by the utility as long as the consumer has service connected.

The Cooperative bills customers on a five cycle billing system. The bill is payable upon receipt and is due on the date printed on the bill. Payment of the bill can be made as follows:

A postage paid pre-addressed return envelope is enclosed with the bill for the customer's convenience. Payments sent through the mail should be made by check (post-dated checks are not accepted), money order or VISA and MasterCard credit cards. Do Not send cash in the mail. Return the bill stub with the payment to insure proper credit to the account.

Bills may be paid in person by cash, check, money order or VISA and MasterCard credit cards at the Cooperative office in Cortez. Office hours are listed here. A Night deposit box is available at the Cortez office for use at any time.

This new program allows you to pay your electric bill electronically. If you participate, your bank will automatically withdraw the payment amount from your bank account on the power bill due date. It's that simple, no hassles, no special trips, no worries about payments arriving on time through the mail.

If it sounds like ADP "Automatic Debit Payment" is for you, just call Empire Electric at (970) 565-4444 and speak with one of the Customer Service Representatives. They will get the paper work started for you. It will take about 30 days to set this up for you.

Bills are delinquent if not paid within thirty (30) days of the billing statement due date. Prior to an account becoming delinquent, a courtesy call is generated by our automated calling system to remind consumers the bill may go delinquent. Empire Electric's collection department mails a written notice of the pending disconnect at least 24 hours before service is disconnected. There is a $20.00 charge for each notice. To restore service to a customer disconnected for non-payment, the bill and other related charges required plus a $20.00 connect fee during business hours or $45.00 connect fee after business hours, weekends or holidays, must be paid in full.

Empire's Budget Billing Plan is available to residential customers and small commercial accounts. Under this one year plan, customers pay equal monthly payments instead of paying higher bills part of the year and lower bills at other times. Any miscellaneous charges will be included in the balance due. Monthly payments are calculated based on one-tenth (1/10) of the electric energy used during the previous twelve month period. For more information or to sign up, contact Empire's Billing Department.

Empire provides an Appliance Usage Guide to help customers determine how much electricity their appliances use. Empire Electric's Administration is available to help with billing or other related questions.