Living in Northwest Colorado, residents who use electricity have the privilege of being served by a member-owned, nonprofit electric cooperative.

Before we moved to the Yampa Valley, our residence in the Roaring Fork Valley was not served by a member-owned, nonprofit co-op. Our energy was provided by an investor-owned utility. So, when friends talked about the importance of electing smart board members for the co-op that serves most of that valley, I did not fully grasp the significance.

Now, living in the service territory of Yampa Valley Electric Association, I understand the value of competent co-op board directors. Board members help to determine everything from consumer rates to the power portfolio, from member rebates to the accounting and capacity limitations of grid-tied solar systems on homes and businesses.

Board directors serving our member-owned co-op should be engaged individuals who do their homework, see the big picture and are experienced enough concerning operations and opportunities to ask questions, speak up and advocate.

The entire YVEA board meeting operations must be more transparent, and the board needs to work harder on outreach and communication. Board directors must be proactive about smart long-range planning while also being responsive to the real needs of co-op members and employees.

Even though many electric consumers may not realize co-op board seats rise to the level of other local elections, it does have consequences. Please submit your hard copy ballot, or instead vote electronically. Ballots must be received by the third-party counting location by Thursday, June 18.