This year, our Alliance committed ourselves to learning more about the relationship between the Rural Electric Cooperatives that govern our energy systems in much of Western Colorado and the communities they serve. Volunteers in our Alliance went door to door this summer, focusing on Grand Valley Power (GVP) service territory in the hope of understanding how members felt about their cooperative, as well as what they both liked and wanted to see change. Three additional goals include wanting to better understand how people view the power that reaches their homes, if they had opinions about where it came from both geographically and from which sources, and to urge them to turn out to vote while sharing how to make their voice heard in the upcoming Board of Directors election. After knocking 500 doors, here’s a little bit about what we learned!

Beginning with what GVP members most liked about the service they get, the number one thing that continuously came up was that they loved the reliable energy service. Time after time, neighbors would mention that the most important thing for them when it comes to their relationship with power was that the lights (and air conditioning!) come on when they flip the switch. This was especially highlighted for GVP members as Xcel experienced numerous blackouts throughout the very hot summer, in some cases leaving those in their territory in the dark for hours, while GVP did not. GVP’s reliability is certainly something to be commended and their members are proud of it.

Getting into what members wanted to see change, a few things really stood out. Members often mentioned that they had difficulty voting in their Board of Directors elections for a number of reasons. First, members don’t really have any idea what the board does and why it matters that they vote at all. They want more information about the decision-making process and purpose the board serves, and with GVP’s meetings taking place on every third Wednesday at 9 am, very few are actually able to attend or participate to find out. Second, members mentioned that they didn’t have enough information to make educated decisions about the candidates running for the board. None of the information mailed to voters, nor on their website, showed detailed policy positions and the visions for what each candidate wanted to do on the board if elected. All that is offered is a small biography and work history and how long they have been a GVP member. Few people want to cast their vote without having more information. Third, voters talked about having a digital voting option to make it easier than sending their ballot by mail. Many other cooperatives have adopted hybrid voting options, and after doing so achieved 50% better participation (currently less than 10% voter turnout). Last, as can probably be expected, everyone wants to pay less for their energy and be protected from rate increases.

Clearly Grand Valley Power has a lot to celebrate when it comes to the service they offer to their members, but there is also a lot we look forward to working with the board to remedy and improve Mesa County’s local energy cooperative for everyone. Grand Valley Power held their election on August 8 for three seats on the nine-seat board, with incumbents Jesse Mease and Brian Woods returning to the board and new face on the board Lindsay Byers Gray joining them.