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2021 Year in Review

Executive Director'S REPORT

As the COVID-19 pandemic extended into 2021, the staff at CREA continued to perform at a high level, delivering value to the association’s member co-ops throughout the year. Programs, classes and conferences were offered through virtual platforms during the first part of the year. Then we moved on to hybrid events that offered attendees the option of connecting virtually or in-person. Finally, later in the year, we were able to move to totally in-person events, albeit with the necessary masks and other precautions in place.

Executive Director Kent Singer shares his look back at the year in his written report:

A LOOK BACK BY DEPARTMENT

Pandemic affects legislative schedule in 2021

2021 looked a little different for CREA’s legislative department because the General Assembly convened for only three days in January before recessing until February 16 due to the pandemic. During this break is activity at the Capitol, CREA’s team continued to work virtually with legislators on proposed bills and when everyone returned to the statehouse, it was an active session.

CARE, the Colorado Advocates for Rural Electrification political action committee, saw a slight drop in membership from the previous calendar year. However, co-op participation between corporate contributions and participation in the annual CARE Auction has remained consistent.

This year's CARE Auction was one of the most successful auctions in recent years, raising $23,620! As we approach another election season, these funds will be used to support candidates who are champions of cooperative issues.

From all virtual to in-person for the CREA Education Department

CREA’s education department works hard to make sure CREA is the place where co-ops turn when they need training and education at a reasonable cost. In 2021, that meant continuing to offer courses online as the year opened, but then moving to, first hybrid, and then in-person classes as things changed. By year end, 42 classes and webinars had been offered to directors, employees and co-op youth.

Communicating in a tough year

Communication was more important than ever in 2021 — between CREA and its member co-ops; among the co-ops; and from the co-ops to their consumer-members. The CREA Communications Department worked hard to facilitate all this communication through its various publications and support of CREA’s other departments.

Mutual Aid, FEMA and RESAP shape year for Safety and Loss Control Department

The CREA Safety and Loss Control Department was very hands-on for Colorado’s electric co-ops in 2021, visiting 16 of them for on-site Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program visits. Department director Dale Kishbaugh and his team also helped provide mutual aid support to three co-ops during the year and assisted with more than one FEMA claim.

Board Leadership

President's Report

We were all grateful 2021 brought more in-person meetings and events than in 2020. The most important meeting was December’s co-op general managers and CREA Board of Directors joint strategic planning session. The managers and board agreed on four goals for the future of the association. Action items were outlined, and common messaging was developed.

As a trusted facilitator and source of information about electric utility issues, CREA is committed to long-term unification. The association is excited and prepared to bring Colorado’s electric cooperatives together with other key stakeholders during the unprecedented and rapidly-evolving changes our industry is facing.

Treasurer’s report

Sudden staff changes near the end of the year presented a challenge to closing out CREA’s books for 2021. Rest assured, CREA is on solid financial footing and ready to serve its member co-ops.

CREA Staff

LEADER’S FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE CAMPAIGN

CREA staff also created a new set of messaging principles in 2021 around the theme: “Colorado’s Electric Cooperatives: Leaders for a Sustainable Future.” It is a theme and messaging plan that will carry us through 2022 as CREA and its member co-ops work together to face the challenges of a ever-changing industry.

Thank you Staff

I can’t tell you how proud I am of all our employees who rallied together again this year to find new ways to provide service to all our members — Colorado’s electric co-ops. We look forward to continuing to provide those services in 2022 and many years beyond. Thank you again for all your support of CREA. — Kent Singer, CREA Executive Director

Thank you Members