Be the Squeaky Wheel

By Rita-Lyn Sanders, Director of Member Services and Communication

GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. - (November 2, 2026)  If we don’t advocate for us, who will? I pose this question regularly to my children in hopes that they speak up for their needs, and even their friends’ needs, as they navigate life, careers, and relationships. In other words, be the squeaky wheel. You know, the one that gets the grease.

In today’s world of hyper communication, this is more important than ever, especially when it comes to state legislation. Most lawmakers want to hear from their constituents. They want to know that the votes they submit make a positive difference for the people who live in their districts.

If a proposed law will cost you money or make it more challenging to take care of your family or your business, tell the legislators who are involved in those decisions. Explain why. Give them a reason to care. Chances are other people in your community have the same concerns.

Grassroots communication from voters has become one of the most effective ways to adjust or even stop proposed legislation before it becomes law. Often, legislation is proposed with data, statistics, and numbers that are emotionless. The numbers don’t tell lawmakers how the law will impact real people in real life. Emails, phone calls, and letters catch the attention of legislators — especially when there are thousands.

Because grassroots communication is so effective, I am asking for your help to advocate for your cooperative. I encourage you to sign up for the Colorado Electric Co-op Advocates (CECA) network. This network, built by the statewide agency that supports rural electric cooperatives in Colorado, is a source of information. CECA will send you emails about proposed state laws that could impact Grand Valley Power — laws that could, by way of unfunded mandates, end up affecting therates that electric cooperatives charge their members.

CECA will provide information that you can combine with your voice — your personal stories — to share what is important to our communities on the Western Slope. It is these stories that lawmakers need to understand how their actions impact us.

Please join me and sign up for CECA at crea.coop/ceca. If we don’t advocate for us, who will?