Grand Valley Power (GVP) is expanding access to Colorado Mesa University Tech’s (CMU Tech) Electric Lineworker program through a scholarship that supports Mesa County students pursuing careers in the energy industry. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening workforce development across the Western Slope while creating direct pathways into high-demand technical careers.
The electrical co-op’s CMU Tech Electric Lineworker Scholarship is a one-time $2,000 award that supports students in CMU Tech’s Electric Lineworker certification program. The deadline to apply is June 1 of each year for the fall program.
Grand Valley Power has additional scholarships available to CMU and CMU Tech students. The deadline for these is March 1 of each year to be considered for the fall term:
- CMU Tech Scholarship: One, one-time $1,500 scholarship for a CMU Tech student.
- Jack Broughton-Colorado Mesa University Scholarship: One $2,000 renewable scholarship for up to four years at CMU.
- Grand Valley Power Scholarships: Six, one-time $1,500 scholarships for any university or one-year technical program.
- Matt Williams STEM Scholarship: One $1,500 renewable scholarship for up to four years in any baccalaureate STEM program.
CMU Tech offers more than 30 career and technical education programs designed to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce. Programs emphasize applied learning, industry partnerships and stackable credentials that allow students to build skills aligned with regional employer needs. The Electric Lineworker program combines technical instruction with real-world training that prepares students for careers maintaining and restoring critical power systems.
GVP and CMU Tech have partnered to support students since 1995. Since then, Grand Valley Power has awarded more than $315,000 in scholarships to help individuals in the Grand Valley pursue higher education and technical training. Each scholarship was created to reduce financial barriers for students pursuing hands-on training while helping meet regional workforce needs. Many recipients have gone on to secure apprenticeships and employment with GVP and related companies across the Western Slope.
Through scholarship support, students are able to focus on the specialized training required for linework while reducing the cost of equipment and certification. The partnership between GVP and CMU Tech continues to strengthen the local workforce pipeline, connecting students with internships, ride-alongs and employment opportunities that keep talent rooted in the Grand Valley.
One student who benefited from GVP scholarship support is Branson Padgett, a recent graduate of CMU Tech’s Electrical Linework program. Born and raised in Grand Junction, Padgett discovered his interest in linework through ride-along experiences with GVP before enrolling in the program. Today, he works for GVP full time.
“During those ride-alongs, I fell in love with line work, the hard work, problem solving, electrical theory, safety and the camaraderie of all the guys,” said Padgett. “Not only do I want to make an impact by getting people’s power back on but by also giving back to my community by educating our youth about power lines and how to be safe around them.”
Padgett said scholarship funding helped offset the cost of tools and climbing gear required for training, allowing him to focus on developing the technical skills needed for the job.
“The scholarship helped me pay for all my line tools and climbing gear for line school,” Padgett said. “I was able to focus more on my training and academic work.”
Lane Karo, a senior at Grand Junction High School, also has completed ride-alongs with GVP as he prepares to pursue lineworker training at CMU Tech.
“To be represented by GVP means you display ambition and integrity with the drive to provide value and service to your community,” Karo said. “I have always wanted to help people and I believe this is the best platform for me.”
Through continued investment in education and workforce partnerships, GVP and CMU Tech are helping students build career-ready skills while supporting the long-term energy needs of Western Colorado communities.