Results from La Plata Electric Association’s 2026 board of directors election were announced Wednesday during the cooperative’s annual meeting.
LPEA’s members were given the chance to vote in new members for three of the co-op’s four districts spanning La Plata and Archuleta counties, as well as learning about LPEA’s 2025 annual report and accomplishments, according to a Wednesday news release.
Voters cast their ballots online or through the mail over the past month and in person at the meeting.
The winners of the election included:
- District 1, Archuleta County: incumbent Nicole Pitcher won with 1,175 votes, while challenger James Lane received 1,117 votes.
- District 2, south and west La Plata County: candidate Greg Barber who was unopposed.
- District 3, the city of Durango: candidate Jennifer Jenkins won with 1,479 votes, while candidate Jodi Zuber received 677 votes.
- District 4, north and east La Plata County: challenger John Purser won with 1,185 votes, while incumbent David Luschen received 1,117 votes.
Members also voted to approve a new bylaw which would officially define the date by which new members are eligible to vote. The measure passed with 6,088 votes in favor and 1,479 opposed.
The bylaw amendment aligns with how elections are currently managed and gives members a written reference for understanding their voter eligibility, the release said.
Of the 37,748 members eligible to vote throughout the four districts, 7,937 cast votes – a 21% return rate. Of these, 3,379 (42.6%) were cast using LPEA’s online voting option.
The new board members will be seated at the next LPEA Board of Directors meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. June 27 at LPEA’s headquarters in Durango. Members can join virtually or attend in person, the release said.
sedmondson@durangoherald.com
