Colorado state Sen. Chris Hansen has been named the next CEO of La Plata Electric Association, according to the organization. Hansen was in Durango on Tuesday for his first day of work at the co-op.
Hansen confirmed that he would resign his seat sometime in the coming months, likely the week of Jan. 9. The Democrat represents central and southeastern Denver in the state Senate and was just reelected with 84% of the vote. Hansen replaces former CEO Jessica Matlock, who left LPEA in February.
The organization’s counsel, Graham Smith, took over as interim CEO following Matlock’s departure.
In an interview Tuesday, Hansen said he is excited to get to work.
Hansen has worked in energy sector economics and data analytics for over 20 years. He has served eight years in the statehouse, three as a representative and five years as a senator, and served on both chambers’ appropriations committees every year he’s been in office.
He is also the executive director of the Institute for Western Energy.
“Chris’ extensive experience and commitment to sustainable energy make him the ideal leader for our cooperative as we navigate the evolving energy landscape,” LPEA Board President Ted Compton said in a news release. “We were very fortunate to have Chris in our search pool and the board seized the opportunity to bring a leader of Chris’ caliber to LPEA. His energy industry background, vision for the future of electric utilities, and understanding of emerging opportunities will serve our members well.”
The salary range for the position was $400,000 to $600,000; Hansen makes $41,500 as a senator and draws other compensation for his work outside the statehouse. Matlock’s compensation from LPEA was $545,000 in 2023, her fourth year with the company.
Hansen takes the helm of the organization as it lurches toward an April 2026 departure from its restrictive contract with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association.
Tri-State, itself a member-owned cooperative, is a power wholesaler that serves the Western United States.
The LPEA board of directors voted in March to leave Tri-State, blowing the escape hatch on an agreement that bound LPEA to purchase 95% of its power from Tri-State through 2050.
Hansen called the exit a “massive opportunity” for LPEA “to lead and to innovate and to deliver great solutions,” adding that the increased independence offers a clear pathway to “invest in ourselves” and put downward pressure on costs.
“I do think a lot of my previous experience is going to help me, and I think I can bring some new ideas to the table for the members,” Hansen said.
In March, Tri-State estimated an exit fee of nearly $210 million; LPEA officials have said that number may not be representative of the true cost.
The actual price tag will not be calculated until one month before the exit, according to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rules.
LPEA has increasingly turned toward green energy production in the wake of the planned breakup. A 1.7 megawatt solar array on the Florida Mesa is providing electricity to La Plata County buildings and some low-income homes in the region, and the co-op announced last week two power purchase agreements with Tri-State to purchase up to 40 megawatts of power from the wholesaler, with up to an additional 40 megawatts as available from a solar array in Dolores County.
By the time Hansen hits two years at LPEA – a benchmark which will arrive six months after the co-op splits from Tri-State – the incoming CEO says members should judge his success based on two metrics.
“I think success really means putting the right pieces in place to have high reliability and with a clear path to affordability in the long term,” he said, noting that inflationary pressures will always likely increase costs, but that a path to stable affordability should be obvious.
“I think the change from Tri-State gives us a real opportunity to do that,” he said.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
A previous version of this story was unclear about the source of LPEA’s power supply after April 2026. Tri-State will provide up to 40 megawatts of guaranteed power, and LPEA will purchase up to an additional 40 megawatts of solar power as available. It also incorrectly stated Hansen’s salary as a state senator.
