Results of the 2026 La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) election were announced at the cooperative’s annual meeting on May 20, 2026. This meeting was held to not only elect and seat new directors but also to present LPEA’s 2025 annual report and accomplishments. In accordance with LPEA Bylaws, one seat in each of LPEA’s four districts comes up for election annually.
Detailed election results are as follows.
District 1 (Archuleta County): Candidate Nicole Pitcher won with 1,175 votes. Candidate James Lane received 1,117 votes.
District 2 (South and West La Plata County): Candidate Greg Barber ran and was seated unopposed.
District 3 (City of Durango): Candidate Jennifer Jenkins won with 1,479 votes. Candidate Jodi Zuber received 677 votes.
District 4 (North & East La Plata County): Candidate John Purser won with 1,185 votes. Candidate David Luschen received 1,117 votes.
Officers will be seated at the next meeting of the LPEA Board of Directors scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, beginning at 9am at LPEA in Durango. Members can join virtually or attend in person.
The proposed bylaw amendment, which officially defines the date by which new members are eligible to vote, passed with 6,088 in favor and 1,479 opposed. This bylaw amendment aligns with how elections are currently managed and gives members a written reference for understanding their voter eligibility.
Of the 37,748 eligible voters in all districts, a total of 7,937 LPEA members cast votes for a 21.03% return rate. Of these, 3,379 (42.57%) were cast using LPEA’s online voting option.
La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) is a locally owned, member-governed electric cooperative serving approximately 37,000 homes and businesses across Southwest Colorado. As an independent co-op, LPEA is committed to keeping power reliable and affordable while ensuring members have a direct voice in how their energy future is shaped. LPEA serves a diverse region, from rural communities and Tribal partners to growing towns and businesses, each with different energy needs.
In 2026, LPEA joined the Southwest Power Pool, expanding access to a broader mix of energy resources to strengthen reliability, reduce costs, and support a cleaner, more flexible energy future, while keeping decisions local. Learn more about LPEA at lpea.coop.