Holy Cross Energy Elects Sarah Smith Hymes and Dave Munk to Board

The wind off the Roaring Fork cuts differently when you’re waiting for the next bus in Glenwood Springs. It’s cold. It’s relentless. It’s the same wind that blows through the power lines crisscrossing the valley, carrying the charge that keeps your furnace running and your electric bill from hitting your wallet like a hammer.

Holy Cross Energy just told us who’s steering that ship.

Last Thursday, the cooperative announced its 2026 election results. Two seats on the seven-member Board of Directors changed hands — or stayed put. Sarah Smith Hymes took the Northern District. Dave Munk held the Southern District.

It wasn’t a shocker. It wasn’t a revolution. It was business as usual for a utility that controls the lights for much of Western Colorado. But look closer at the numbers. Look at who’s leaving and who’s staying.

Smith Hymes won 54% of the vote. She’s replacing Adam Quinton, who didn’t run for re-election. Quinton’s gone. That’s a shift. Munk won 57.8%. He’s been here since 2010. He’s the anchor.

Munk’s message is familiar. He talks about energy efficiency. He talks about helping members who struggle with bills. He says advanced programs are "effective resources." He’s right. But let’s be clear: low rates don’t mean low stress. If your house is drafty and your insulation is thin, you pay. Always. Munk knows this. He’s been pushing for it for years.

Smith Hymes brings a different flavor. She’s lived in the Eagle River Valley for over 30 years. She’s been on the Avon Town Board. She’s handled water and wastewater. She’s on climate action boards. She says she’ll bring "practical perspective" and "boots-on-the-ground" experience. That’s corporate-speak for "I’ve dealt with real-world problems, not just theoretical ones."

The board now has seven members. Five are still here from last year. Two are new — or returning. Kimberley Schlaepfer joined in 2025. She’s still on board. Smith Hymes is the new face in the Northern District. Munk, Gardner, DeGolia, Klesner, and Brooks remain.

This matters to you. Not because of the politics. Because of the power.

Holy Cross serves the Roaring Fork Valley and much of Western Colorado. That’s a vast stretch of territory. A multitude of homes. Countless businesses. When the board makes decisions on strategic actions, they’re deciding how much you pay. They’re deciding how fast the grid updates. They’re deciding if your neighbor’s house gets power when the snow hits.

The press release was polite. It thanked Quinton. It highlighted Munk’s tenure. It touted Smith Hymes’ leadership. It didn’t mention the rate hikes. It didn’t mention the infrastructure costs. It didn’t mention the political pressure from the state.

Read that again.

The short version: You’re getting the same old guard, with one new player. Smith Hymes is the change. Munk is the constant. The rest is background noise.

If you’re in the Northern District, you voted for Smith Hymes. If you’re in the Southern District, you voted for Munk. The rest of the board stays the same. The strategy stays the same. The efficiency goals stay the same.

It’s stable. It’s predictable. It’s also expensive.

The cooperative’s website is holycross.com. Go look at the rates. Go look at the plans. Then go outside and feel the wind. It’s still cold. Your bill will still be there.

The question isn’t who’s in charge. The question is whether the current leadership can keep the lights on without breaking the bank. Smith Hymes says she’ll bring a "healthy, sustainable future." Munk says he’ll keep pushing for efficiency.

We’ll see.