Leavitt Backs Hymes and Munk for Holy Cross Energy Board

"Sarah Hymes brings both the vision and experience garnered from many years of public service."

Howard Leavitt doesn’t mince words when he writes that sentence. He’s not just tossing out a platitude. He’s making a case for Sarah Smith Hymes and Dave Munk to stay on the Board of Holy Cross Electric, arguing that their continued presence is critical as energy costs climb and the cost of living squeezes mountain communities from both ends.

Picture this: a homeowner in Avon checking their electric bill, wondering if the price hike is due to infrastructure upgrades or just the general inflation eating through their grocery budget. That’s the reality Leavitt is addressing. He’s writing because he believes the cooperative needs a "forward thinking and visionary approach" to its mission, but also needs to be "clear-eyed and pragmatic" about how it leverages opportunities in a challenging clean energy environment.

It’s an interesting duality. You want innovation, but you also want to know the bills won’t double next year.

Leavitt points to Hymes’ track record as evidence that she can handle that balance. She’s served on the Eagle River Water and Sanitation board. She was mayor of Avon. She’s been on the affordable housing board and the Climate Action Committee. That’s not a resume that screams "ideologue." It’s a resume that says "I’ve been in the trenches dealing with water, housing, and climate policy, and I haven’t burned out yet."

Then there’s Dave Munk.

If Hymes is the visionary, Munk is the institutional memory. Leavitt notes that Munk has already served two terms on the Holy Cross board. He’s been there for the clean energy initiatives that are currently benefiting members. He knows where the bodies are buried — or rather, he knows where the renewable energy projects are buried and which ones actually saved money and which ones just looked good on a press release.

"His experience and perspective will be critical to bring the cooperative into the next phase of clean energy production," Leavitt writes. "while having the hindsight needed to be nimble and adjust course when required."

That word "nimble" matters. Energy grids aren’t static. They break. They need adjustment. Munk’s "hindsight" suggests he’s seen what works and what doesn’t, which is a valuable asset when you’re trying to avoid repeating mistakes that cost taxpayers millions.

Kristen Bertuglia, an Edwards neighbor, adds another layer to the argument. She served with Hymes on the Climate Action Collaborative for Eagle County. She saw the leadership firsthand.

"What stands out most about Sarah is her ability to listen, engage diverse perspectives, and lead with integrity and professionalism," Bertuglia says.

Bertuglia isn’t just talking about politics. She’s talking about the specific role Holy Cross Energy plays in the region. The cooperative is nearing 100% renewable energy. It has saved members "tens of millions of dollars." That’s a big number. It’s a number that matters to folks who own their homes and their energy bills. Bertuglia argues that Hymes understands this balance — serving members while managing long-term environmental and economic stewardship.

The stakes are high. The election is coming up. Members can vote online, by mail-in ballot, or in person at the annual meeting at 4 Eagle Ranch by June 11th.

Leavitt and Bertuglia are making the same core point, just from different angles. One focuses on the pragmatic, financial, and historical perspective (Leavitt/Munk). The other focuses on the collaborative, sustainability, and leadership qualities (Bertuglia/Hymes).

They’re not asking for a revolution. They’re asking for continuity. They want the same people who helped build this reputation as the "leading coop in the nation" to keep steering the ship.

It’s a vote for stability in a time of volatility. It’s a vote for people who have already proven they can navigate the complex web of water, energy, and housing that defines life on the Western Slope.

The mailbox is open. The ballots are being printed. And in a quiet office in Avon, Howard Leavitt is hoping his words convince enough neighbors to keep Hymes and Munk in the driver’s seat.