The Yampa Valley Electric Association is set to mail ballots out for its 2026 board of directors election on Friday, May 22, with new voting options aimed at improving participation in a process that has historically drawn limited turnout, according to a Monday statement from the cooperative. 

The only contested race in this year’s election is in District 6, which represents Steamboat Springs and North Routt. Incumbent board president Tom Fox is seeking reelection and faces two challengers, Lisa Rosintoski and Sarah Jones.

Two other seats are also up for election but are uncontested. In District 2, which covers Sunbeam, Maybell and areas outside Craig, incumbent Ray DuBois is the only candidate. 

In District 3, representing the city of Craig, incumbent Sasha Nelson is also running unopposed. Nelson currently serves as vice chair of the board and has a background in workforce development and regional economic initiatives.

For the first time, YVEA is offering members three ways to vote: by mail, online or in person. 

Mail-in and electronic ballots must be received by a third-party election firm, Survey Ballot Systems, by Thursday, June 18. 

Members who prefer to vote in person may do so at the cooperative’s annual meeting on Wednesday, June 24 at YVEA headquarters in Steamboat Springs (2211 Elk River Road). Registration for the meeting begins at 3 p.m., with the meeting starting at 3:30 p.m.

“2026 marks a significant milestone for YVEA,” said YVEA CEO and General Manager Scott Blecke in the statement. “We are celebrating 85 years of powering rural Northwest Colorado, and it’s fitting that we’re launching this innovative voting option in our anniversary year.” 

“This reflects our commitment to continually improving and evolving with our members’ needs, while always staying true to our core mission: our members are the driving force behind everything we do,” he added.

Luminate Broadband COO and YVEA Board Secretary Larissa Rock said the change aligns with the cooperative’s principle of democratic member control, giving members more flexibility in how and when they cast their ballots.

Carly Davidson, YVEA’s public relations specialist, noted in the statement that the cooperative has seen around 10% voter turnout in past elections. 

“Being a member of a co-op is different from being an investor-owned utility customer. Your voice and vote matter,” she said. “Members can comment at our monthly board meetings, and every year, we hold nominations for three of our nine districts.” 

“Voting in our elections is another way members can be heard, and we hope this new hybrid voting option will encourage more people to participate in our elections,” Davidson added.

Electronic voting will be available through a link emailed to members with valid email addresses from noreply@directvote.net, as well as through YVEA’s SmartHub platform. Paper ballots will also include instructions with a QR code and unique access code that allows members to vote online if they choose. 

Regardless of method, members may only vote once. Ballots submitted incorrectly, duplicated across multiple methods or left in payment drop boxes will be invalidated; if multiple ballots are received by the same member, all of those ballots will be rendered invalid. 

For those with a joint membership — two names on the ballot label — only one member can vote. If voting via a paper ballot, a signature on the return envelope is required for the ballot to be validated. 

The election comes as YVEA continues to plan for a transition to a new wholesale power provider in 2028 and navigates broader changes in the energy landscape. Blecke said board members play a central role in shaping those decisions, including setting rates, approving budgets and guiding long-term strategy.

“From establishing rates and selecting power supply partners to approving budgets and guiding our long-term resilience and growth strategy, the role of a director is both complex and critical,” said Blecke. “Given that responsibility, it is essential that our members have the opportunity to choose the individual they believe will best represent their interests.”

Ballots must be received by June 18 to be counted, unless they are cast in person at the annual meeting on June 24.