Youth Tour Contest Online Application (Recommended)
Youth Tour Contest Application in PDF form
MPE's Annual Essay Contest
Along with MPE's Youth Essay Contest, MPE also conducts an annual energy-related essay contest. The two prizes are each life-changing, all-expense paid trips, one to Washington, D.C. (First Place) and the other to Youth Leadership Camp (Second Place). Both awards (trips) help students beef up their post-high school resumes for college and employment applications. See details below.
Walden Elementary School Grant
Washington, D.C. Youth Tour
June 16-22, 2025
The Washington DC Youth Tour is an all-expense-paid, week-long tour of our nation’s capital, where one high school junior or senior from within Mountain Parks Electric’s service territory will join students from Colorado and all across the United States to make memories that will last a lifetime.
Electric Cooperative YOUTH TOUR 2025
June 16-22, 2025
PDF Brochure: Youth Tour DC_2025
DAY 1
- Meet in Denver to start our week together
- Tour the Colorado State Capital
- Tour a co-op and learn about electricity
- Build a Generations & Transmission electric system model
- Have dinner with a state legislator
DAY 2
- Fly to Washington, D.C.
- Tour Fort McHenry
- Attend a Washington Nationals Baseball game
DAY 3
- Meet students from other states
- Tour Mt. Vernon
- Learn about cooperatives
- Tour the Martin Luther King, Jefferson and FDR Memorials
- Attend Youth Day with over 1,500 students from across the country
DAY 4
- Visit with U.S. Senators and Representatives
- Tour the U.S. Capitol
- Attend a dinner and dance with students from across the country
DAY 5
- Visit Ford's Theatre
- See the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
- See the Navy Memorial and enjoy the Potomac River Dinner Cruise
DAY 6
- Visit the Holocaust Museum
- Visit Arlington National Cemetery
- Night out in National Harbor
DAY 7
- Say goodbye to Washington D.C. and your new friends, say hello to life-long memories
The contest is open to all high school juniors and seniors that are at least 16 years of age by the first Friday in January, attending a school in MPE’s service territory and living in a household that receives electricity from MPE.
- U.S. Capitol
- Library of Congress
- Mt. Vernon
- Washington Nationals Baseball Game
- Fort McHenry
- Martin Luther King, Jefferson, and FDR Memorials
- U.S. Constitution Exhibit
- Smithsonian Museums
- Meet U.S. Senators, Representatives, and a State Legislator & MUCH MORE!!!
Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp
July 12-17, 2025
Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp is a weeklong adventure in Steamboat Springs. At CYLC, youth develop leadership skills, learn about cooperatives, and have lots of fun!
The contest is open to all high school juniors and seniors that are at least 16 years of age by the first Friday in January, attending a school in MPE’s service territory and living in a household that receives electricity from MPE.
- Leadership exercises
- Rafting on the Colorado River
- Hike to Fish Creek Falls
- A day in Steamboat Springs
- Renewable energy/electric industry overview (including generation plant site tours)
- Camper dance under the stars
- Avian protection demonstration
- Volleyball & swimming
- Wrap-up banquet & much MORE!
CONTEST RULES & GUIDELINES
Submit an energy-related essay, 500 words or less or a 10-minute video addressing any one of the topics listed below (or an energy-related theme of your choice).
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: January 2, 2025.
MPE will contact you if you win.
Application Deadline is January 2, 2025. For questions, memberrelations@mpei.com or call 970-887-3378.
Open to all high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years of age as of the first Friday in January and are attending a school within MPE’s service territory.
Have Time, Will Travel
Imagine traveling back to the past or into the future. What does the world of energy look like there? Is there any electricity? If so, how is it generated? How scarce is it? How much does it cost? What do people do to conserve it, or do they try to at all? Is that world better or worse than the one we live in today? How would you improve it?
You, the Energetic Representative
Many politicians are known for signature issues, like health care, national defense, trade and tax policies or energy policy. Imagine you are a US senator from Colorado whose signature issue is national energy policy. Explain what your positions are and why they will benefit Colorado and the United States as a whole. Remember, your choices today will likely affect your children and grandchildren.
Your Not-for-Profit Short List (in essay form)
Mountain Parks Electric is a not-for-profit business. Any profit MPE earns is returned to the people who purchase electricity from us or is invested in infrastructure (poles, wires, substations, etc.). Write a short essay describing what kinds of businesses, in your opinion, would be best as not-for-profit businesses. Explain why.
Choose Your Own Path
Got a better idea? Write about electric vehicles, renewable generation or any compelling and relevant energy-related essay and submit it along with your application.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Not a writer? Create a ten-minute video on what you would change in your home to conserve on energy.
Selection will be based on content, grammar, spelling and video creativity.
Winners will be notified by January 31. If you have questions (or want to fact check information in your entry before submitting it), please contact MPE at (970) 887-3378.
How to Apply
1. Youth Tour Scholarship Online Application (Recommended)
2. PDF Version Application Download
Return Youth Tour application no later than the first Friday in March to:
MPE Essay Contest
Mountain Parks Electric, Inc.
P. O. Box 170
Granby, CO 80446
Or email your scanned essay & application to: memberrelations@mpei.com