Business Details
41 Years
experience
Your Trusted Electrical Contractors in Colstrip, MT
Established in 1985, Colstrip Electric has evolved from its roots in Colstrip, Montana to become one of the largest NECA-affiliated electrical contractors in the western United States. Our foundation rests on three pillars: an unwavering safety culture, commitment to quality execution, and a workforce of highly skilled professionals. We specialize in delivering complex electrical solutions across commercial, industrial, power distribution, trenching, oil & gas, and power generation sectors. With offices in Colstrip and Billings, Montana, as well as Minot and Fairview, North Dakota, our team consistently exceeds industry standards through innovative project management and adherence to rigorous safety protocols.Our accoladesincluding multiple Governors Safety Awards and NECA Zero Injury Recognitionreflect our decades-long track record of safe operations, with EMR ratings consistently below industry averages. Clients across government, healthcare, education, and energy sectors rely on our expertise in projects ranging from LEED-certified buildings to high-voltage substations, backed by specialized equipment like the Tesmec TRS-1085 trencher and hydrovac trucks. With a geographic footprint spanning 15+ states, we combine regional expertise with national capabilities to deliver exceptional value through transparent communication, precision craftsmanship, and operational excellence.
Services
Commercial Electrical
Industrial Electrical
Power Distribution
Trenching Services
Oil & Gas Electrical
Power Generation
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We maintain an industry-leading safety culture with EMR ratings below 0.8 since 2017.
- Our team holds expertise in complex commercial projects including LEED-certified buildings.
- We operate specialized equipment like 100,000 lb trenchers for precision underground work.
- Award-winning safety practices recognized by Montana Governor's Safety Achievement Awards.
- Nationwide capabilities serving 15+ states with regional expertise in western energy markets.
Services
Commercial Electrical
Our commercial electrical services support projects in healthcare, education, government, and retail sectors. We deliver lighting retrofits, energy savings systems, and complete facility electrical installations while adhering to strict safety and quality standards. Clients benefit from our experience managing complex environments like airport terminals and municipal facilities.
Industrial Electrical
We provide electrical and instrumentation services for industrial facilities including processing plants, mining operations, and water treatment centers. Our capabilities cover control systems, motor replacements, and hazardous environment installations. Clients rely on our expertise in classified installations and compliance with OSHA safety requirements for industrial projects.
Power Distribution
Our power distribution services include constructing substations, overhead transmission lines, and underground distribution systems up to 345kV. We handle complete projects from material procurement to relay installations, serving utility companies and industrial clients requiring reliable high-voltage infrastructure.
Trenching Services
We deliver underground utility installations for electrical, water, and pipeline systems using specialized equipment like 100,000 lb trenchers and hydrovac trucks. Our experienced crews handle challenging conditions including rock formations and frost layers to ensure precise cable and pipeline placement.
Oil & Gas Electrical
Our oil and gas electrical services support refineries, pipelines, and processing plants with electrical upgrades, control system installations, and explosion-proof equipment. We handle full-scale projects like MCC replacements with live loads and DCS system upgrades while maintaining safety in hazardous environments.
People
Chris Collins
Safety Manager
Chris Collins leads our safety initiatives with 20+ years of experience in construction safety management. He oversees our Injury and Illness Protection Program that achieved 210,000 incident-free hours at ConocoPhillips Billings Refinery, maintaining EMR ratings below 0.8 through rigorous audits and employee safety training programs.
Brent Burton
General Manager
As General Manager, Brent Burton ensures safety remains our core value while driving project execution excellence. With decades of electrical contracting experience, he empowers our team to stop unsafe work practices and focuses on delivering client value through professional accountability and technical expertise.
Questions
What commercial electrical services do you offer?
We provide commercial electrical services including government building wiring, LEED project installations, lighting retrofits, and healthcare facility electrical systems across the western United States.
Do you handle industrial electrical projects?
Yes, we handle industrial electrical projects including water treatment plants, mining operations, and manufacturing facilities with specialized instrumentation and control systems.
What trenching equipment do you have?
Our trenching equipment includes the Tesmec TRS-1085, Case 660/860 machines with rock saw attachments, and hydrovac trucks for precision underground installations.
Do you work on oil & gas electrical systems?
Yes, we specialize in oil & gas electrical systems including MCC replacements, DCS upgrades, and railyard expansions at major facilities across the Mountain West.
What power generation projects do you handle?
We handle power generation projects for wind, solar, hydro, and gas turbine facilities including turbine wiring, substation construction, and control system upgrades.
Where do you operate?
We operate in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska with regional offices in Colstrip and Billings.