Faces, Places & Voices Of PVREA: Sergio Baquera

Sergio didn’t travel to Washington, D.C., to be a co-op spokesperson.

He went as a lineman — someone who works in the field, understands the risks, and keeps the lights on for his community. But during the NRECA Legislative Conference this spring, his perspective carried beyond the job site and into conversations with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Born and raised in Fort Morgan, Sergio grew up in a close-knit community where helping others was part of everyday life. That mindset carried into early jobs, where he developed a strong focus on helping people, an approach that continues to shape his work today. After training in Colorado Springs and gaining experience across the region, he returned to northeast Colorado to complete his apprenticeship before joining Poudre Valley REA, where he now serves members across Northern Colorado.

That same desire to serve extends beyond work. “Politics has always grabbed my attention. That’s the way we can make a difference ourselves,” Sergio said. When the opportunity came to attend the Legislative Conference, he was quick to step forward.

The trip marked a shift in scale, from Fort Morgan to Fort Collins, and then to the fast pace of our nation’s capital. With his wife, Mayra, alongside him, Sergio experienced D.C. for the first time. Walking the monuments at night and visiting museums, including exhibits on early aviation, left a lasting impression. It was, as he described, a place where “everything comes together — history, action, people, and politics.”

Even so, the most meaningful moments came inside meetings with elected officials.

Sergio’s firsthand experience changed the tone of conversations with policymakers. When he spoke about working in wildfire-prone conditions, like navigating dead timber during Red Flag warnings, lawmakers paused and listened. His “boots-on-the-ground” perspective brought urgency and authenticity to discussions about wildfire mitigation, permitting reform, FEMA improvements, and rural infrastructure funding.

Speaking up in that setting wasn’t easy. Sergio described it as the “scariest yes” he’s ever given. But it quickly became one of the most impactful. Lawmakers engaged, asked questions, and even reflected his insights in their own remarks.

That experience stayed with him. “One thing that will stick with me after this trip is that we have a long road ahead of us,” Sergio said.

“We need a lot more support than what we have. And we need to keep showing up, and keep chipping away at it. It doesn’t take one person, it is going to take everyone.”

Sergio’s trip to Washington wasn’t just about policy. It was about service — showing up, speaking honestly, and representing the people and communities behind our power lines.