Sarah Jones
For YVEA
Experience, Engaged, and Ready to Serve
Sarah Jones has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of environment, community, and long-range planning, and most of that work has happened right here in the Yampa Valley.
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She grew up on a small farm in rural New Hampshire, where self-reliance wasn't a philosophy; it was just how things worked. That upbringing shaped the way she approaches every challenge: practically, with an eye toward the long term, and with deep respect for the people who live and work close to the land.
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Sarah has called Colorado home since 1991 and Routt County since 2010. She and her husband Sam have raised two boys in Steamboat Springs. Over 16 years here, she has worked alongside government leaders, local nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes, serving on boards, chairing committees, and volunteering thousands of hours to the community she loves.
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Her professional experience speaks for itself: As Executive Director of the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council for seven years, she led energy efficiency work for low-income households across the county. At Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation, she managed operational sustainability, community engagement, and partnerships on everything from transportation to affordable housing. Earlier in her career, she managed complex, multi-site environmental cleanup programs — work that taught her the hard way what happens when communities don't plan ahead.
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She holds a B.A. in Biology and Environmental Studies from Colby College and an M.S. in Environmental Geochemistry from the University of Colorado, Boulder
Together, we can create Meaningful Change, Support the Local Community, and Empower those Around us.
Sarah Jones has called the Yampa Valley home for more than 16 years, raising two boys in Steamboat Springs, serving on boards, chairing committees, and showing up to do the actual work.
​​Sarah is running for the YVEA Board because she knows this co-op, knows this valley, and has spent 30 years building the experience to help get it right
Reliability
Make the Most of The Guzman Transition
YVEA's move to Guzman Energy is one of the biggest changes in the co-op's recent history. Done right, it's an opportunity for more local generation and storage, lower carbon emissions, and to meet the goals of our local governments and businesses, and sustained reliability at rates members can count on. I'll work to make sure we get there.
Rates
Engage with Stakeholders Early
Whether it's a new development, a local government policy, or a grid-scale shift coming down from the state, YVEA should be at the table early, not playing catch-up. Being proactive means better planning and predictable costs and rates. I know how to work with stakeholders because I've spent my career doing it. I'll push the board to engage proactively, so members are informed and YVEA is positioned to plan.
Resilience
Reduce Risk to our Infrastructure
Wildfire is the single greatest threat to our grid and our members. Resilient infrastructure doesn't happen on its own it takes sustained investment and smart partnerships. I've worked with the Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council since its founding. I know the agencies, the nonprofits, and the funding opportunities. I'll bring those relationships to the board to protect what we've all built here.
Priorities
HOW TO VOTE
