YW July 2026 CCL Magazine LR

COUNTY FAIR DATES • OUTDOOR SAFETY FOR KIDS • STAY ENERGY SMART

WINGS OF WONDER

Experience the magic of butterflies

YW

Volume 57 • Number 7 • July 2026

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From the Editor

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Viewpoint

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Your Co-op News

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At Home

It is peak butterfly season. Maximize your knowledge about these prime pollinators.

Energy Expert

Put less strain on the grid during peak times — learn how to spread electricity use throughout the day.

Feature Story

Long commutes, caregiving responsibilities, and screen time are quietly eroding sleep. Read about ways to regain a good sleep routine.

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Industry

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Recipe

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Get Outside

20 Marketplace

12 MAGAZINE STAFF Director of Communications Cassi Gloe cgloe@coloradocountrylife.org Editor Kylee Coleman kcoleman@coloradocountrylife.org Editorial Assistant Melinda Taylor mtaylor@coloradocountrylife.org EDITORIAL CORPORATE OFFICE 455 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80226 info@coloradocountrylife.org, 303-455-4111 Editorial opinions published in Colorado Country Life magazine shall pertain to issues affecting rural electric cooperatives, rural communities, and citizens. The opinion of CREA is not necessarily that of any particular cooperative or individual.

COPYRIGHT All content © 2026 Colorado Rural Electric Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this issue or any portion of it is expressly prohibited.

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22 Reader Photos

COLORADO COUNTRY LIFE (USPS 469400/ISSN 1090-2503), Copyright © 2026 is published monthly by the Colorado Rural Electric Association, 455 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80226. Business and Editorial Offices: 455 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80226. Accounting and Circulation Offices: 455 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80226.

Call 303-455-4111 to subscribe. Periodicals postage is paid at Denver, Colorado.

POSTMASTER Send address changes to Colorado Country Life at 455 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80226.

SUBSCRIBERS Report change of address to your local cooperative. Do not send change of address to Colorado Country Life. Cost of subscription for members of participating electric cooperatives is 30 cents per month, paid from equity accruing to the member.

For nonmembers, a subscription is $16 per year in state/$21 out of state.

ADVERTISING 720-407-0712 advertising@coloradocountrylife.org National advertising representative: American MainStreet Publications 611 S. Congress St., Suite 504 Austin, TX 78704 | 800-626-1181 ADVERTISING STANDARDS Publication of an advertisement in Colorado Country Life does not imply endorsement by any Colorado rural electric cooperative or the Colorado Rural Electric Association. Call for reprint rights. View advertising and editorial policy terms and conditions online at coloradocountrylife.coop.

Colorado Country Life

Powerline photo by Mark Gilliland, Pioneer Utility Resources

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In This Issue

FROM THE EDITOR

Energy Shortage

By Kylee Coleman Editor

T

his month’s feature story that you can find on page 12 is about sleep, a topic on which I have plenty to say.

When our boys were little, I was so tired that I truly thought we would never ever sleep again. Our day would begin at 5:30 a.m., regardless of when the kids went to bed the night before. So, to maximize sleep for everyone, bedtime was always 7:30 or 8 p.m., much to their chagrin, especially during the summer months when it was still light outside.

My husband and I were tired parents for many, many years. But once the boys hit middle school and finally started sleeping in, my body kicked into catch-up mode.

That’s about when “night naps” became a thing. I’d sit down in a chair or on the couch after dinner and fall asleep almost immediately. And that is when my guys got to work. But not work like cleaning the house or doing the dishes. No. Their work involved balancing things on my head. Case in point, this photo to the right. My husband took this photo. When punks prank, you make lemonade — or something like that — so I call this photo “Trophy Wife.”

For parents of babies and little kids, I know it feels like you will never sleep through the night again. You may be catching Zs wherever and whenever you can. But little kids grow up and with that comes sleep — for everyone.

No matter your stage of life, I wish you peaceful and plentiful sleep.

“Trophy Wife.”

Photo by Chris Coleman

Monthly Giveaway This month, CCL is giving one lucky winner a Good Night Sleep Kit that includes a portable white noise machine, light-blocking eye mask, lavender pillow spray, Sleepytime Tea by Colorado-based Celestial Seasonings, and lavender shower steamers.

To enter, visit coloradocountrylife.coop and navigate to the Monthly Giveaway page.

Need a different way to enter our contests? Send a postcard to 455 S. Pierce St., Lakewood, CO 80226. Include your name, phone number, mailing address, and the name of your electric cooperative.

Contest ends July 20.

Colorado Country Life

July 2026

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VIEWPOINT

Investing in Tomorrow’s Cooperative Leaders

By Tom Walch CREA Executive Director

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nce in a while, I get a reminder of why electric cooperative work matters — not in the form of a balance sheet or a reliability report but in the faces of young people who are navigating the world they’re stepping into. For me, that reminder comes every summer with the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.

If you’re not familiar with the program, here’s the short version: Each June, roughly 1,500 high school students representing electric cooperatives across the country travel to Washington, D.C., for an experience unlike anything most of them have ever had. They walk the halls of the Capitol, visit national monuments, meet with elected officials, and connect with hundreds of other students from rural communities just like theirs. It’s part civics lesson, part leadership development, and part life-changing experience — all rolled into one unforgettable week.

CREA has been proud to organize and facilitate this program for decades, and I want to take a moment to explain why we consider it one of the most worthwhile investments and partnerships with your local electric co-op.

Rural communities are often overlooked in political conversations both statewide and nationally.

Our students know this better than anyone — they’ve grown up in places where Denver feels like a world away and where the assumption is sometimes that the big decisions get made somewhere else, by someone else. Youth Tour flips that narrative. It puts our young people right in the center of the action and says loudly and clearly: Your voice belongs here too.

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This year, Colorado’s Youth Tour delegates began their adventure at CREA headquarters in Lakewood. The students toured the Colorado State Capitol, heard about co-op careers, had a discussion with Youth Tour alumni, learned the basics about the cooperative business model, witnessed a high-voltage safety demonstration, tested their knowledge by building an electricity generation and transmission model, and so much more.

They flew to D.C. the next morning and packed in just as much activity and learning every day during the week as they did on day one.

Students bring back more than just a collection of photos and souvenirs from D.C. They come home with confidence. They come home with a broader understanding of how our government works and how they can be part of shaping it. And they come home with a lifelong connection to peers from across the country who share their values and their rural roots.

Your local electric cooperative exists to serve its members and to invest in the long-term health and vitality of your community. Supporting programs like the Youth Tour is a direct expression of that mission.

Giving students a Youth Tour experience is one of the most impactful things we can do.

If you have a high school student in your household — or know one — I encourage you to look into your co-op’s Youth Tour application process. The opportunity to attend is absolutely worth it.

Tom Walch is the executive director of the Colorado Rural Electric Association, the statewide organization supporting 21 electric distribution cooperatives and one generation and transmission cooperative.

Colorado Country Life

YOUR CO-OP NEWS

The Path To Efficiency Independence

By Trent Loutensock General Manager

W

hile fireworks and Independence Day parades are synonymous with the Fourth of July, no such fanfare comes to mind when discussing energy efficiency. Perhaps it should. If you think about it, energy efficiency not only benefits individuals and families, but the country as a whole. Energy efficiency combined with energy conservation and advances in technology in the utility industry ultimately help our country on a path toward greater energy independence. And that’s worth celebrating.

BENEFITS OF EFFICIENCY At its essence, greater efficiency means less energy is used for the production of goods and services. For individual consumers, a reduction in energy use usually translates to a tangible financial benefit: more money in your wallet at the end of the month. If your neighbors are also using less energy collectively, it means the overall cost of providing that electricity could be lower and may result in reduced costs for co-op members. For many, this is reason enough to strive for greater energy efficiency. On a national level, energy efficiency, sometimes called the “fifth fuel,” has a more profound impact. It can potentially boost the economy by allowing consumers and businesses to invest in other areas. As importantly, greater energy efficiency may slow the rate at which domestic energy is depleted and therefore reduce or diminish the need for foreign energy.

STRIKE UP THE BAND There’s no need to wait to start your energy efficiency efforts. Every American can take charge of their own energy use, regardless of the date on the calendar.

Small steps can lead to a big difference for you and your neighbors, whether across the road or across the country.

Energy efficiency can generally be achieved two ways. The first is with mechanical change, such as replacing an older HVAC unit or less efficient appliance with a new ENERGY STAR model or upgrading to new insulated windows. Less expensive actions include improving the seal of your home’s “envelope” by caulking exterior windows and doors and sealing openings where pipes and ductwork meet the outside. Swapping out incandescent bulbs — inside and outside — with LEDs also makes a noticeable difference.

SMART CONTROL The second way to realize energy efficiency is through smarter management of your energy use. Leveraging smart thermostat technology is a good place to start.

Most smart thermostats contain an app allowing remote control by mobile phone or tablet. Program your thermostat to reflect your family’s schedule.

Many thermostat programs allow you to view and edit your thermostat schedule and monitor the amount of energy used. Sometimes, however, energy efficiency is simply a matter of changing old habits such as washing clothes in cold water instead of hot or running the dishwasher during times you are not using other appliances. Megan Welp 11527XXXXX Regardless of the path you take on the road to energy efficiency and independence, Y-W Electric Association can help you on the journey. For more information about energy efficiency programs, contact us at 970-345-2291, our team will be happy to assist you.

Mailing Address P.O. Box Y Akron, CO 80720 Street Address 26862 U.S. Hwy 34 Akron, CO 80720 Colorado Country Life

PH: 970-345-2291 TF: 800-660-2291 ywelectric.coop

July 2026

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YOUR CO-OP NEWS

Empower Kids To Stay Safe Outdoors

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ccording to the National Institutes of Health, electricity causes approximately 1,000 deaths and 30,000 injuries in the United States each year, 20% of which occur in children. Empower your family with electrical safety knowledge that can potentially save their lives. Always remember that electricity is everywhere, even when playing outdoors away from screens and other plug-in devices.

• Electrical substations may spark a child’s imagination with high towers and sprawling gates, but make sure your children know never to enter one for any reason. An adult should call the Y-W Electric for help if a lost pet or toy enters one.

• Always assume that power lines are energized and dangerous. Inform children to stay away from downed or low-hanging power lines and ask them to tell an adult if they see one. The Y-W Electric will send a professional to assist.

• Children should never play with, climb on, or open pad mount transformers or outdoor electrical green boxes. They contain electrical equipment for underground service to homes and businesses and are dangerous. If children see a box that is open or damaged, they should stay away from it and tell an adult to contact Y-W Electric.

• While it may look like fun, never play on a flooded street or in a water-filled ditch. Water may hide fallen power lines or damaged electrical equipment, which could cause serious injury or death.

• Do not plan outdoor activities if a thunderstorm is expected. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last observed clap of thunder or lightning bolt to play outside. Don Nadow Jr. 8510XXXXX • If enjoying the outdoors near water, such as a lake or pool, never use electronics with damp hands or while standing in water.

• Kites, toy airplanes, and drones, should only be used in large, open areas far away from power lines and electrical equipment.

Running multiple major appliances at the same time — like your dishwasher, laundry machines, and oven — can spike energy demand. This can strain the grid, especially during peak hours typically late afternoon to early evening.

Crystal Bolejack 5420XXXXX

ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP OF THE MONTH

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Instead of stacking appliance use, spread it out throughout the day or shift chores to off-peak hours when energy demand is lower.

This not only helps improve overall efficiency but can also reduce your energy costs. A simple habit change, like doing laundry in the morning and running the dishwasher overnight, can make a meaningful difference for both your wallet and energy reliability.

Colorado Country Life

YOUR CO-OP NEWS

Howdy, Folks!

IT’S FAIR TIME AGAIN ON THE NORTHEASTERN PLAINS EASTERN COLORADO ROUNDUP

YUMA COUNTY FAIR

Washington County Fairgrounds, Akron

Yuma County Fairgrounds, Yuma

JULY 21 – JULY 26

JULY 31 – AUGUST 4

Highlights

Highlights

JULY 21

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JULY 30

Horse Show Hog Show

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JULY 22

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JULY 31

Sheep Show Goat Show Exhibit building open Poultry Show

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JULY 23

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Parade Round Robin Showmanship PRCA Rodeo Junior Livestock Sale Barbecue and Watermelon Feed sponsored by Y-W Electric Association Junior Livestock Sale

JULY 25

• • •

Beef, Sheep, and Goat Shows Rodeo Slack Gymkhana Night Show

AUGUST 1

Beef Show Rabbit Show Draft Horse Pull

JULY 24

• • • •

Dairy, Hog, and Draft Horse Shows Pedal Tractor Pull

Antique Tractor pull PRCA Rodeo Concert – Landon Smith

• Yuma County Fair Parade (downtown Yuma) • Barbeque — Sponsored by Premier Farm Credit, Smithfield, Yuma Dairy, C&F Foods Inc., Shop-All, and Y-W Electric Association • Rodeo Slack (Steer Roping) • PRCA Rodeo — Military and First Responder Appreciation • Rodeo Slack, Following PRCA • Hispanic Concert • Teen Dance

AUGUST 2

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Cowboy Church Stallings Memorial Draft Horse Pull Round Robin Contest PRCA Rodeo — 4H and FFA night

AUGUST 3

JULY 26

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Visit ecroundup.com for full schedule, event times, and ticket sales information.

Visit yumacounty.net for full schedule, event times, and ticket sales information.

Allan and Delinda Davisson 3603XXXXX

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Breakfast and church service

Rodeo Slack – Steer Roping

Hope to see you at the fair!

Colorado Country Life

July 2026

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YOUR CO-OP NEWS

Win $20

OFF YOUR ELECTRIC BILL Each month, Y-W Electric Association offers its members a chance to earn a $20 credit on their next electric bill. If you find your name and account number in this magazine, call 800-660-2291 and ask for your credit. It couldn’t be easier.

Get acquainted with your account number, read your Colorado Country Life magazine, and pick up the phone. You must claim your credit during the month in which your name appears in the magazine — check the date on the front cover.

Congratulations to the Y-W Electric members who called to claim their $20 bill credit in May: Cande and Torey Medeles, Mary Strand, Richard E. Zwirn, Charles Zwirn, and Ace Lilienthal.

Going Out of Town?

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ummer vacations often lead to a common question: Why doesn’t my electric bill drop when I’m away? The answer lies in how energy is used.

Freddie I and Sharlene Barker 1123XXXXX Energy consumption depends more on lifestyle and household size than time spent at home. Daily tasks like cooking and laundry still require electricity, whether done throughout the day or all at once. In fact, energy use may increase before and after a trip due to extra cleaning and chores.

Another common misconception is that raising the thermostat significantly will cut costs. While changing the setting helps, a vacant home still uses energy to maintain temperature, and many appliances — like refrigerators, water heaters, and furnaces — continue running automatically.

TIPS TO SAVE ENERGY WHILE AWAY • Turn up your thermostat to be closer to the forecast outside temperatures, but still expect some continued use.

• Unplug electronics and small appliances when possible.

• Adjust or turn off water heater if appropriate If you’re away for an extended time, consider having your bill forwarded and check billing data on SmartHub to better understand your usage.

Enjoy your summer — and stay energy smart!

8 July 2026

Colorado Country Life

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AT HOME

Wings of Wonder

By Vicki Spencer

S

ummer is peak butterfly season and the perfect time to get kids involved with nature. Butterflies are beautiful, and it’s entertaining to watch them. They are known to spark children’s innate curiosity and foster an appreciation of the natural world.

There are many opportunities to observe butterflies in Colorado, including programs largely driven by the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster. The pavilion has grown considerably since I took my children there on opening day more than 30 years ago. Now the pavilion offers more than exhibits. It offers summer camps and educational workshops designed to expand interest in all pollinators and their habitats.

Families can get kids involved in initiatives such as the Colorado Butterfly Monitoring Network, Butterfly Quest, and the Urban Prairies Project. The volunteer-based CBMN program monitors butterfly populations across Colorado. Butterfly Quest involves the community in tracking butterflies to assist scientists studying butterfly behavior. The Urban Prairies Project engages people in habitat restoration and protection while focusing on benefits to native species and planting milkweed for monarch butterflies.

While the Butterfly Pavilion is the oldest facility, others have emerged across the state.

The Fort Collins Butterfly House at The Gardens on Spring Creek houses a number of species in part-

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nership with the Butterfly Pavilion. Its 200-squarefoot living wall features more than 2,000 plants and provides sufficient roosting space for North American butterflies and moths. You can see several hundred flying about at any time and will be thrilled by the sound of their fluttering wings. If you time it right, you can actually watch butterflies emerge from the chrysalises through a window.

Western Colorado Botanical Gardens in Grand Junction features a butterfly house on its 15-acre site along the Colorado River. Outdoor specialty gardens also attract native butterflies.

Coloradans who don’t have a butterfly house nearby can ask the Butterfly Pavilion about their traveling library program. Experts bring interactive stations to communities for hands-on learning. The Transformation Module explores the butterfly’s life cycles and brings metamorphosis to life for learners of all ages.

If you really get into watching butterflies, you might even want to build your own butterfly garden.

Once kids learn about the butterfly’s fascinating life cycle, they become enthusiastic about searching for and identifying butterflies. They enjoy looking for different species and are fascinated by the mystery of metamorphosis.

Master gardener Vicki Spencer writes about nature, water conservation, plant care, and more.

Colorado Country Life

Photo by Mark Gilliland, Pioneer Utility Resources

ENERGY EXPERT

You Can Help During Peak Demand

By Miranda Boutelle

Y

our electric co-op works hard to ensure safe, reliable power to homes and businesses 24/7.

To make sure everyone has the power they need, generation must match consumption and have the capacity to adjust to changing demands for energy.

Peak demand is the period in a given range of time — day, month, or year — when electricity use is highest.

It’s caused by many people using energy-consuming equipment at the same time. It differs based on geography, weather, and time of year. For example, demand is typically highest on hot summer afternoons and cold winter mornings. Most electric co-ops also experience daily peaks when people are getting ready in the mornings and returning home in the evenings.

When everyone uses more energy at the same time, it puts more stress on the electric grid and requires more expensive electricity to meet the need. Electricity pricing is based on supply and demand. The price of electricity is higher when the demand is higher, which costs the co-op more.

To lower energy use and strain on the grid during peak times, there are habits we can adopt in our homes.

Let’s look at two scenarios.

Joe and Andy arrive home from work at 5:30 p.m.

They both turn on the oven to make dinner.

While Andy waits for the oven to preheat, he throws in a load of laundry. He finishes dinner, cleans up, and starts the dishwasher. Then, he moves the clothes to the dryer.

Joe finishes dinner, loads the dishwasher and sets it to start at 10 p.m. He puts a load of laundry in the washing machine, then switches it over to the dryer before he goes to bed at 9:30 p.m.

Colorado Country Life

Although they use the same appliances and amount of energy, Andy uses it all at once, running multiple appliances during peak hours. This creates higher demand and more strain on the electric grid while using more expensive energy.

To lower your demand, spread electricity use throughout the day and avoid using many electricityheavy appliances during peak times as much as possible. This will reduce your co-op’s cost of supplying electricity to your home. Another benefit of shifting your use to midday is integrating renewable energy, such as solar, which produces energy when the sun is shining.

Large appliances — including washers, dryers, ovens, water heaters, and air conditioners — have the biggest impact. Using them during off-peak hours or one at a time can help.

Automate as much as possible. Most electric vehicle chargers can be set to charge during scheduled hours with built-in timers or apps. Most modern dishwashers have delay-start features.

You can also automate air conditioning. Some co-ops offer programs that precool homes during off-peak hours to reduce demand during peak times. Simple, free adjustments, such as closing your curtains on hot afternoons and evenings, can help too.

Spreading out your energy use helps your electric co-op keep costs down and benefits your local energy grid.

Miranda Boutelle is the chief operating officer at Efficiency Services Group in Oregon, a cooperatively owned energy efficiency company. She has more than 20 years of experience helping people save energy at home.

July 2026

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Photo by Elenathewise / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

FEATURE STORY

Rural Sleep Reset Why sleep is getting harder — and ways to fix it

By Miguel Rios and Kylee Coleman

A

s a mom to an 11-month-old daughter, Monica Vick knows the importance of sleep. She works four 10-hour days as La Plata Electric Association’s creative services and brand specialist, and on those workdays, she wakes to a 6 a.m. alarm. “The amount of times the baby woke up in the night typically corresponds with the number of times I hit snooze,” she said.

Once she’s out of bed, her morning routine begins.

“I sneak out of bed and quietly get dressed and ready for work, while my husband and baby sleep. I’m on the road by 7 a.m. after sneaking in a soft hug and kiss for the baby, and I get my first cup of coffee at the office,” she said. The number of cups of coffee she has can also be determined by the number of times her daughter woke up the night before, but it’s never more than three, and she stops drinking coffee by noon as to not disrupt that night’s sleep. “It’s a tricky balance,” she commented.

Monica is on call every other week to handle member communications, should a power outage

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arise. “When it comes to outage communications, if I don’t feel confident in my ability to make good split-second communications decisions, I know I can rely on my team to pick up my slack, and vice versa,” she said. “A strong team, good work-life balance expectations from LPEA, and strong support of family needs make the tough days much easier.”

“In my day-to-day, less sleep might affect how much time my teammates spend editing [my work], but it doesn’t have as consequential an effect as it does on some of our other staff, like equipment operators or lineworkers,” Monica said.

In the electric cooperative world, alertness isn’t optional. Whether it’s driving rural roads, responding to outages, or making decisions around live power, being well rested matters. But across the United States, intentionality around sleep is increasingly hard to come by. Shift work, long commutes, caregiving responsibilities, and screen time are quietly eroding sleep.

Colorado Country Life

FEATURE STORY

Photo by ChelFoto / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

SLEEP UNDER PRESSURE The importance of sleep is not lost on CREA Job Training and Safety Instructor Mike Pendy. “Sleeping is my superpower,” he said. “It’s not too often that I have a bad night’s sleep.” Mike said that he is ready to face the day when he is well-rested. “Sleep has always been a priority for me. If I don’t get adequate rest, I’m not functioning at 100% the following day.”

As a former lineworker at Gunnison County Electric Association, Mike said being on call was sometimes tricky. “When I was still doing electrical linework, sleep was less predictable during my time on call. I could go to sleep at 10 p.m. and then be back at work at midnight and working until daylight,” he recalled. “Fortunately, we were allowed rest time the following day, but it might take a day to reset my internal clock.”

Now Mike is on the road a lot for work, traveling to electric co-ops in the southern part of the state.

“Initially it was difficult,” he said of getting used to the travel. “Going to bed and waking up in a different town every week was a little disorienting. Since then, I’ve found that I’ve developed a routine in each of the towns where I stay.” This routine, he said, has become familiar, and it helps him get a good night’s sleep. “It’s also helpful if I can get a good walk in after work,” he commented. “I believe that exercise is an important component of maintaining good sleep hygiene.”

“The most important aspect of getting adequate sleep revolves around the amount of driving that I do on a weekly basis. Driving while overly tired can be extremely dangerous. I need to stay alert and focused while I’m on the road,” Mike said.

SLEEP BETTER AND USE LESS

ENERGY

• Lower the th ermostat at ni ght. Temperatu at 68 degrees an res d lower suppor t better sleep.

• Use fans. Ce iling or box fans improve air circulation an d lower the ne ed for air conditionin g. In cooler mon th s, remember to re verse ceiling fa n di rection to distribute warm air.

• Dim the light s. Dimming th e lights after su supports natura nset l sleep rhythm s and uses less electricity. War mer light bulb s are also bette supporting sle r for ep.

• Keep it dark . A dark bedroo m is ideal for be sleep, and it of tter ten means less lights, applianc and systems ru es, nning overnigh t.

• Block disrup tions. Blackout curtains or thic shades keep ou k tdoor light out and help regula room tempera te ture, keeping be drooms darker cooler, and mor , e comfortable.

THE COST OF POOR SLEEP Experts warn that the cost of poor sleep is much greater than people may think. Over time, chronic sleep loss is linked to increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, obesity, and cognitive decline, according to the National Institutes of Health. Harvard Medical School research found it also raises the likelihood of workplace errors leading to injuries and motor vehicle accidents.

Taryn Edwards is an executive assistant for Great Plains Sleep Specialists and said lack of sleep also affects people mentally and emotionally, even if they might not realize it’s sleep-related.

“People might be more irritable, forgetful — they can’t think straight or focus,” she said. “Sleep isn’t a luxury; it’s a basic health need. When sleep disorders go untreated, they also affect someone’s family, workplace or school, and even other people on the road.”

“Thankfully, sleep disorders are very treatable. They just rarely get better on their own, so the earlier people address them, the better the outcome.” continued on page 14 Colorado Country Life

July 2026

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FEATURE STORY

Mike’s routine is helpful for him too. “Usually by 10:30 p.m., my mind is winding down and telling me it’s time to turn off the lights,” he said. When it’s more difficult to relax, Mike said he will listen to an audiobook when he turns the lights out. “It must be something a little on the boring side. I find that it puts me to sleep in short order.”

A SLEEP RESET Mercy Health’s Mikala Jordan emphasized that there are simple ways to improve your sleep without expensive or unrealistic means. A routine and small, practical changes can make a measurable difference.

• Protect your schedule. One of the biggest things to improve sleep quality is having a schedule that you’re sticking to as much as possible. Consistency matters more than perfection, so going to bed and waking up at roughly the same time helps reset the body’s internal clock. If you’re on call and get an unexpected wake-up call, Mikala recommends going back to the normal routine as soon as possible.

• Mind your lighting. Bright, cool-toned bulbs and screens in the evening signal the brain to stay alert, so avoid them if possible. Ideally, that means no TV or phone time 30-60 minutes before bed.

• Create a sleep sanctuary. To improve sleep, your room should be dark and cool with a comfortable mattress and pillow. Mikala also recommends some sort of white noise and using your bedroom only to sleep. That means, you’re not watching TV while you’re in your bed.

Monica puts this advice into practice and prioritizes a routine to set her family up for a successful night of sleep.

“We try to practice good sleep habits every night, even with the baby,” she said. “Blackout curtains, a lavender diffuser, and soft waves playing on a sound machine set the stage each night for a deep rest,” she said. The perfect deep rest might not happen each night, “but the effort feels important.”

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WHEN AND HOW TO ASK FOR HELP Sometimes, sleep problems aren’t just about habits.

Experts warn that underlying conditions could include things like narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, and midlife hormonal changes. However, one of the most prevalent sleep disorders is sleep apnea. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, sleep apnea affects nearly 30 million people in the U.S., and an estimated 80% of cases remain undiagnosed.

“Sleep apnea is incredibly common, especially among men,” Mikala said. “And many people put off testing because they don’t want to deal with a CPAP machine, which is the gold standard for treatment.”

But not addressing a potential sleep disorder could lead to worse health outcomes down the road, and today, testing options are more accessible than ever.

Patients can complete a home sleep study, picking up a small device to wear overnight and returning it the next day. Follow-up care and monitoring are often available through telehealth.

“If something feels off, talk to your primary care provider,” Mikala recommended. “Write symptoms down. Bring a partner who’s noticed changes. Your doctor is there to help, not judge.”

REST IS A COMMUNITY RESOURCE Electric cooperatives are built on the idea that shared resources strengthen communities. Sleep works the same way. Well-rested co-op employees respond more safely and efficiently to outages. Alert drivers make roads much safer. Focused parents and caregivers strengthen families. And focused individuals help communities thrive.

Monica recognizes that too.

“In my experience, sleep is the most crucial element in my tool kit for enhancing performance,” she said. But she also said getting less sleep is sometimes unavoidable. “Sacrificing some sleep for the sake of enjoying beautiful moments, like spending extra time with my child or having a well-deserved evening with friends and laughter, is always worth the extra cup of coffee.”

Colorado Country Life

Photo by PeopleImages / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

One of the best ways to improve sleep quality for the entire family is by having a schedule that you stick to as much as possible.

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INDUSTRY

Lawmaker Profile:

Rep. Jeff Hurd

By Erin Kelly NRECA Reprinted with permission from RE Magazine

R

ep. Jeff Hurd may be only a freshman member of the United States Congress, but he doesn’t need the Co-op 101 lesson that NRECA usually provides for new lawmakers.

Before his election to the House in 2024, Hurd practiced law in rural Colorado, and most of his clients were electric cooperatives.

“I simply don’t think there’s anybody in Congress who understands co-ops the way Jeff does,” says Tom Walch, executive director of the Colorado Rural Electric Association. “He could teach Co-op 101 to his peers.”

Walch is the former CEO of Grand Valley Power in Grand Junction, where Hurd served as the co-op’s attorney.

“It wasn’t ivory tower legal work,” Walch says. “Jeff was right there, with his sleeves rolled up, in co-op boardrooms and working with our staff and members.”

Hurd’s background representing co-ops has helped inform his policy decisions, Walch says. The Republican congressman has supported three major NRECA-backed bills and sits on two committees with jurisdiction over crucial co-op issues: the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Last December, he voted for the SPEED Act, a permitting reform bill that would help protect affordable power nationwide by reducing delays for electric co-ops making crucial improvements to their systems.

16 July 2026

The legislation passed the House but has not yet been taken up by the Senate.

Hurd is co-sponsoring the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act. The legislation, passed by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last fall, would streamline the Federal Emergency Management Agency and dramatically speed up delivery of crucial disaster relief funds to co-ops devastated by wildfires, hurricanes, ice storms, and other natural disasters.

He is also a co-sponsor of the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act, which would make it easier for co-ops to get federal permits to clear vegetation and strengthen their systems to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires like those that have ravaged Colorado and other Western states in recent years.

The bill passed the House in 2025, and Hurd has vowed to work with the Senate to pass the legislation in that chamber.

“Together we are going to fight to ensure that our communities never face another preventable wildfire disaster again,” he said at a press conference before the House vote.

When a devastating wildfire caused $25 million worth of damage to the transmission system at White River Electric Association in Meeker last year, Hurd reached out to the co-op to help facilitate communication between WREA and federal agencies, says Alan Michalewicz, the co-op’s CEO and general manager.

Colorado Country Life

INDUSTRY “Having someone with Jeff’s background and his desire to help us can never hurt us in dealing with federal agencies,” says Michalewicz, whose co-op is also a former client of Hurd’s. “He’s a great asset to us.”

Hurd also is helping the co-op push for FEMA funds to rebuild its system, Michalewicz says.

“Jeff and his staff were intimately involved in making sure we presented our FEMA application to the White House in the right way,” he says. “Jeff is doing all he can for us. He’s an enormous supporter of everything we do.”

Hurd says electric co-ops are essential to Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District.

“They power our farms and ranches, support small businesses and keep the lights on in communities that are too often overlooked by large investor-owned utilities,” he says. “They are member-driven, locally governed, and focused on service over profit, which makes them uniquely responsive to the people they serve.

“That is why I’ve been a strong advocate for co-op priorities in Congress — whether it is improving permitting, strengthening wildfire

mitigation, or ensuring faster disaster response.

When our co-ops succeed, our rural communities succeed, and I will continue fighting to make sure they have the tools they need to deliver for the people of western and southern Colorado.”

The 46-year-old congressman is a native Coloradan with humble roots, Walch says.

“A lot of folks in Grand Junction remember when he was bagging groceries and busing tables at the local pizza joint before he became a lawyer.”

After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, Hurd earned law degrees from the University of Denver and Columbia Law School.

He worked for a law firm in New York City before returning to Colorado to raise a family and build his own law practice.

“Anyone who has ever worked with Jeff knows how smart he is, how hard he works, and how invested he is in doing the right thing,” Walch says. “He’s exactly the kind of person we need in Congress.”

Erin Kelly writes on consumer and industry topics for RE Magazine, a monthly publication produced by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Together we are going to fight to ensure that our communities never face another preventable wildfire disaster again.”

— U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd

U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd, center, surveys the damage done to White River Electric Association’s transmission system by the devastating Lee Fire of 2025. On the left is WREA CEO and General Manager Alan Michalewicz and on the right is Brett Berthleson, the co-op’s operations manager. Photo courtesy of WREA Colorado Country Life

July 2026

17

e m i t r e m m Su shy Slu RECIPE

By Kylee Coleman A chilly, vibrant, ice-cold drink bursting with fresh watermelon flavor is perfect for hot July days. Once the watermelon is frozen, this drink comes together quickly and easily.

WATERMELON SLUSHY MAKES 4

INGREDIENTS 6 cups seedless watermelon, cubed 1 tbsp lime juice 2 ½ tbsp honey or agave syrup ¾ cup cold water or coconut water

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Cut a seedless watermelon into cubes to make six cups and spread on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Freeze for at least 2 hours or overnight until solid.

2. Add the frozen watermelon, lime juice, honey or agave syrup, and cold water or coconut water to a high-powered blender. Blend on high for 30-45 seconds until completely smooth and slushy.

3. Taste the slushy and adjust sweetness with more honey/agave or add another splash of lime juice for extra zing. Blend briefly if you add anything.

4. Pour immediately into chilled glasses. Serve right away while icy cold.

18 July 2026

Colorado Country Life

Photo courtesy of Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club

GET OUTSIDE

All Aboard!

Colorado’s alpine slides and coasters

By Eugene Buchanan

I

inch ahead of my daughter Casey on the third-tolast turn. On parallel courses, she’s been ahead of me the whole run, but — despite what I like to think is better skill and technique — it’s my heavier, ahem, adult weight that finally gives me the advantage. We’re schussing the face of Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs, home of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and more winter Olympians than any other club in the country. But instead of skiing, it’s summer and I’m wearing shorts. And instead of skis — on which she’d definitely kick my butt — we’re on an alpine slide, one of several ways resorts are boosting offseason revenue (proceeds from this one benefit the club).

Accessed by chairlift, Colorado’s alpine slides and coasters (slides are on wheels; coasters are affixed to a track) are some of the best in the country, letting you control your own speed and unleash your inner summertime version of Mikaela Shiffrin as you careen down concrete or metal tracks. Perfect for families, consider them a way to get thrills without the chill or spills at a ski resort once sunshine replaces snow. Here are a few to get your adrenaline flowing this summer.

Winter Park — Winter Park’s alpine slide is the longest in the state, stretching 3,000 linear and 600 vertical feet through curves and straightaways with views of the towering Front Range mountains. Its length allows for high-speed thrills and slower, scenic rides, making it appealing to everyone. winterparkresort.com Breckenridge — The Breckenridge alpine slide offers three separate tracks, each about 2,600 feet long, letting you choose different routes and race side by side. Located at Peak 8 and part of a larger summer

Colorado Country Life

fun park, its smooth design, varied terrain, and familyfriendly atmosphere make it one of the state’s most popular. breckenridge.com Howelsen Hill — The Howler alpine slide in Steamboat Springs (where I dusted my daughter) is a local favorite and one of the few slides located in a traditional mountain town setting rather than a large resort. Known for its fun twists and views of town and the Yampa River, it’s a great option for beginners and families, whisking you down a hill that has helped train more than 100 Olympians. steamboatsprings.net Glenwood Caverns — A hybrid between an alpine slide and a mountain coaster, the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park lets you control your speed while fixed to a track as you schuss through tight turns and drops down to the Colorado River below. The ride begins at a dramatic cliffside setting above Glenwood Springs, offering panoramic views and a slightly more intense, roller-coaster-like experience. glenwoodcaverns.com Copper Mountain — Copper Mountain’s Rocky Mountain coaster is the second-longest coaster in the country, careening 5,800 feet through a high alpine setting. If the base altitude of 9,700 feet doesn’t take your breath away, the coaster will as it flies through forested terrain with a mix of fast straightaways and tight turns. coppercolorado.com Snowmass — The Breathtaker alpine coaster at Snowmass lives up to its name with dramatic drops, twists, and expansive views of the Elk Mountains and towering Snowmass Mountain. A self-controlled braking system lets you throttle full speed or dial it back so your heart can catch up. aspensnowmass.com Eugene Buchanan is an award-winning author whose work has been published in The New York Times, Men’s Journal, Outside, National Geographic Adventure, and more. His new book, Yampa Yearnings, was released in December 2025. He lives in Steamboat Springs.

July 2026

19

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Colorado Country Life

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READER PHOTOS

Melissa Neumaier, a Mountain View Electric Association member, writes: “I am a veteran with a head injury. Through Operation TBI Freedom and Denver Adaptive Diving, I was blessed with the opportunity to get certified with SCUBA diving in Cayman Brac. It was a huge selfesteem booster obtaining my certification, because I did it! I did it!” Congratulations, Melissa, we’re happy for you; thank you for bringing CCL along!

Angie and Lukas Glodkowski enjoy a beautiful day in Zakopane, Poland, at Mount Gubalowka. They are Mountain View Electric Association members.

Genevieve Babayk writes, “Oh là là, j’adore Paris! A little bit of Colorado Country Life came with me to Paris!”

Genevieve is a Poudre Valley REA member.

San Isabel Electric Association member Sarah Archer enjoys CCL with the sea lions in the Galápagos Islands.

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Sangre de Cristo Electric Association member Jim McIrvin snaps a photo with his copy of CCL in San Francisco after a “transcon” flight from New York.

Jim and Bonnie Kennel celebrate their anniversary in Waikoloa, Hawaii.

These Mountain View Electric members experienced a volcanic eruption on their first day and an earthquake on their last night, “so needless to say it was quite the adventure,” Jim writes.

Upload your photo with CCL at coloradocountrylife.coop.

Find more reader photos on Facebook @COCountryLife and Instagram @cocountrylife.

Grand Valley Power members Judy and Dave Kennedy hold Colorado Country Life in front of the Chicago skyline during a riverboat cruise.

22 July 2026

Poudre Valley REA member Joy Johnson cruises through French Polynesia with her copy of the magazine.

Colorado Country Life

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WHATEVER THE FUTURE HOLDS, WE’LL POWER IT.

®

Reliability means showing up — for today and tomorrow. We’re here before the sun rises and we’re working all through the night, 24/7/365.

Why? Because every community our members serve deserves power they can count on. We work as one connected cooperative family to share resources, expertise, and solutions like mobile substations. When disaster strikes or equipment fails, these portable, quickly deployable substations can restore power fast, helping minimize outages and keep communities running when they need it most.

It’s all part of the strength that comes from standing together so your co-op can deliver what matters most: reliable, affordable electricity for every moment of life.

Scan to learn more or visit www.tristate.coop/powering-future

Tri-State is a not-for-profit power supplier to cooperatives and public power districts in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.