From The Lineman’s Boots To The Capitol Steps: Why Sergio Went To Washington

There’s a moment from our recent Washington, D.C., trip that still sticks with me.

In a Capitol meeting room filled with policy discussions and prepared remarks, Sergio, a Poudre Valley REA lineman described what it’s like to work on power lines amid dead timber and red-flag days. Conversations paused. Phones lowered. The room shifted.

And in that moment one thing was clear: policy sounds different when it’s grounded in real-world experience.

Sergio was invited to D.C. because telling our cooperative story is more crucial than ever. He speaks the language of boots on the ground — the stakes, the dangers, and what it takes to safely keep the lights on. And when that voice is in the room, people listen.

We met with Colorado’s Senators and members of the House with four clear priorities:

1. WILDFIRE: WE ARE ONE SPARK AWAY

Increase vegetation management from 10 to 150 feet and streamline federal permitting by removing duplicative delays. Eliminate slow processes that hold up critical mitigation work.

2. FEMA: IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED

Expedite reimbursements, adjust disaster thresholds for rural communities, and improve access for economically disadvantaged areas. Expand mitigation programs so co-ops can fund grid hardening before the next disaster.

3. PERMITTING REFORM: THE GRID CAN’T WAIT

Address federal land permitting delays by eliminating duplicative reviews and ensuring timely decisions. Raise standards for court review—because delays leave aging infrastructure exposed longer than it should be.

4. RUS FUNDING: THE BACKBONE OF RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Maintain strong Rural Utilities Service funding for grid modernization, wildfire resilience, and affordable member rates. Fund at the highest level, not as a handout, but to build a resilient grid for the next generation.

Sergio changed the dynamic on this trip. Legislators and staff hear from lobbyists every day, but they rarely hear from the person doing the work. That perspective matters.

I’m grateful Sergio joined me and several of our board members, I’m proud of the advocacy we did for our members, and I’m hopeful our conversations will move the needle on issues that matter to our communities.

We’ll keep showing up. That’s what we do.

Learn how Cooperative Voices gives you a direct way to support our efforts and reach policymakers when decisions matter by visiting our page here: PVREA Cooperative Voices.