Director Election Update – No Contested Elections
Incumbents in District 2 and 5 are uncontested, resulting in no contested elections.
District 2 Director, Cray Healy, and District 5 Director, Mike Sjobakken, were the only candidates to apply for election, meaning they will retain their board positions for another four-year term.
Message from Cray Healy, Dist. 2
I am interested in serving another term on the Mountain Parks Electric, Inc. (MPEI) Board of Directors for District 2 for several reasons. I have tremendously enjoyed the honor to represent you, the member owners of your electric cooperative. I want to continue the challenging and rewarding efforts to provide safe, reliable and affordable electric power to every one of our members, while supporting MPEl's needs related to our employees, equipment, infrastructure and financial stability. MPEl's programs to fund our local non-profits, academic and trade scholarships and energy solutions are vitally important to me.
I have completed extensive training with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), completing the requirements as a Certified Credentialed Director (CCD) and attaining NRECA's Board Leadership Certificate (BLC). I also served as a Director on the Board of our statewide trade organization-Colorado Rural Electric Association (CREA).
As an MPEI member since 1982, a retired geologist specializing in water supply and water rights and my past involvement with the Winter Park Volunteer Ski Patrol, Colorado Headwaters Land Trust, Habitat for Humanity and Grand Huts Association, I am fully embedded in our community and wish to continue to serve our community as an MPEI Director.
Message from Mike Sjobakken, Dist. 5
Serving on the board for the past three years has been both an honor and a responsibility I take seriously. During my current term, I have worked diligently to represent the interests of my district and cooperative members, support affordable and reliable electric service, and contribute to the cooperative’s long-term planning. I value the opportunity to collaborate with fellow board members and management and to help guide decisions that balance financial responsibility, system reliability, and future readiness.
My background includes 37 years of professional experience in the engineering and consulting industries, including roles with KPMG, HP, and currently as Vice President of a large government contractor. I maintain an active Professional Engineer (PE) license in the State of Colorado and hold both MS and BS degrees in Electrical Engineering.
In addition to my professional experience, I previously served as a director for a water and wastewater utility in the Denver metro area for 10 years, including a term as Board President.
I believe my professional and educational background is an asset to MPE and the MPE Board of Directors. My time on the board has been a great opportunity to give back to my community while bringing strong professional experience to MPE.
Initial Director Election Notification
This is to notify all Mountain Parks Electric, Inc. (“Cooperative”) members that director elections are being prepared for Director District 2 and District 5. The election will take place at the Annual Meeting on May 2, 2026, at Middle Park High School, 795 North 2nd Street, in Granby. Registration and breakfast will begin at 8 a.m., and the business session will begin at 9:15 a.m. In-person balloting will be available during the business portion of the Annual Meeting for members who have not voted by mail. Balloting will cease no earlier than 10 minutes past the time the meeting is called to order. Directors serve a 4-year term and are elected from specific geographic areas within MPE’s service territory.
How to become a candidate
To be eligible to become or remain a director, any member in good standing of the Cooperative and who meets the qualifications of Bylaw Article IV, Section 3(a) and (b) is eligible to submit a Candidate Packet to become a candidate for the Board of Directors no later than 5 p.m. on March 3, 2026. Candidate Packets are available at MPE’s offices in Granby and Walden and can also be mailed to candidates upon request. Nominating petitions must be signed by at least 15 qualified members of the Cooperative residing or receiving service in the candidate’s district and submitted to the Cooperative accompanied by the supporting documents specified in Article IV Section 3(a) of MPE’s Bylaws. Any questions regarding election procedures can be directed to Aaron Street at 970-887-7001.
Voting
In the case of a contested election, mail-in ballots will be mailed to members in the corresponding contested election district. Ballots will be mailed no later than April 7, 2026. Members receiving a ballot can cast their ballots by return mail, by dropping off their ballots at MPE’s Granby or Walden office, or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting. Mail-in ballots must be received by the Credentials Committee by April 29, 2026. Members voting by mail-in ballot will not be allowed to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Qualifications (from Article IV, Section 3 of MPE’s Bylaws)
- (a) Each candidate for election to the Board shall be a member of the Cooperative and shall have his/her “main home” in the District for and in which the election is to be held, (as the term “main home” is defined by the Internal Revenue Service), and who shall have furnished the Cooperative with a written statement telling why the member wishes to run for election and that the member, if elected, can and will attend all meetings of the Board, subject only to unforeseen conditions beyond the control of the member, and meets or will meet the qualifications set forth in subparagraph (b) below.
- (b) To be eligible to become or remain Director, the person shall: (i) be a member of the Cooperative; (ii) receive electric service from the Cooperative at his or her “main home”; (iii) be able to actively participate in the management of the business and affairs of the Cooperative; (iv) not be employed by, substantially financially interested in, or represent the interests of a business in competition with the Cooperative; and (v) become NRECA certified as a director through course attendance within five (5) years of the election or appointment as a Director.
- (i) No more than two (2) Directors (other than a publicly elected government official) shall be permitted to serve concurrently who are either employees of, serve as a Director or trustee of, or act as a consultant to, the same organization. Employee means employment for at least 20 hours per week for 20 consecutive weeks.
- (ii) If a circumstance described in (i) arises after a Director is elected, the Director who obtains a relationship with an organization subsequent to the formation of a relationship with an organization subsequent to the formation of a relationship by other Directors shall be disqualified from serving.