January 2023
This is a notice to all members of The Gunnison County Electric Association (“GCEA”) that the Board of Directors has moved to amend the GCEA Bylaws. The primary purpose of these amendments is to align with certain new Colorado laws governing electric distribution cooperatives. The Board also determined that other language changes are in the best interests of GCEA and its members.
The amended GCEA Bylaws are available for review below and a summary of the changes is provided. Copies of the amended GCEA Bylaws are also available at GCEA’s offices in Gunnison and Crested Butte. Further, GCEA will mail a copy of the amended GCEA Bylaws to members upon request.
The amendment of the GCEA Bylaws shall take effect thirty-one (31) days after the date this notice is communicated to members unless GCEA receives written objections to the amendments from twenty-five percent (25%) or more of GCEA’s members. If you are in favor of the amendment of the GCEA Bylaws, you do not have to do anything. If you object to the amendment of the GCEA Bylaws, please complete the form below.
If you have specific questions about the amendment of the GCEA Bylaws, please call GCEA at (970) 641-3520 or send an email to gceabylaws@gcea.coop.
Here is a quick summary of the amendments to the GCEA Bylaws:
• State law updates. Many of the amendments are derived from Colorado House Bill 21-1131, which was enacted in 2021. The new law updated governance provisions applicable to cooperative associations. Some of these changes include provisions for members and directors to participate in meetings electronically, to vote in elections through a secure and verifiable electronic voting systems, and clarification of quorum requirements in light of electronic meetings and voting.
• Clarifications Regarding Services to Non-Members. Amendments include clarification of the rights of members compared to non-member customers.
• Updated Capital Credits Provisions. Amendments provide that only members of the association are eligible to receive capital credits.
• Changed Provision on Transfer of Membership in the Association. Changes to restrict the transfer of membership in the association unless the board of directors approves.
• Clarifications to Descriptions of Director Districts. Language is added to more precisely describe Director Districts 1 and 3.
• Updated Qualifications for Directors. Wording is changed to require no conflicts of interest instead of broad language prohibiting candidates with interests in competitors of GCEA.
• Updated Provisions on Company Officers. Changes include clearer provisions on officer positions that are filled by elected directors of the association and delineating roles of other officers who are hired by the Chief Executive Officer, primarily for purposes of exercising of corporate authority on a day-to-day basis.
• Miscellaneous Changes. Other amendments include various wording changes to correct errors, improve clarity, and to adjust appropriate levels of detail in the bylaws.