Inaugural panel to feature 18 community members, representing variety of energy customers

The City of Boulder and Xcel Energy have selected 17 community members to serve on the inaugural Community Advisory Panel, which will meet at least quarterly to review and discuss energy issues and provide feedback on the partnership. The first panel meeting will take place next month.

The advisory panel will connect the community to the new partnership by representing electricity and gas customers in Boulder in both residential and commercial sectors. The panel will review project proposals, gather perspectives on community impacts and make recommendations to the partnership’s Project Oversight team.

“We’re thrilled to announce this impressive roster of dedicated community members,” said City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde. “We believe that Boulder’s vast energy interests — whether early adopters of energy technology, small business owners, renters or average customers — will be well represented by this group of community leaders.”

The members of the City of Boulder – Xcel Energy Partnership Community Advisory Panel are:

One-Year Term Two-Year Term Three-Year Term

Erik Abrahamson

George Craft

Bryn Grunwald

Patrick Hillmeyer

Peter Lilienthal

Wayne Setlzer

Dennis Arfmann

Ramesh Bhatt

Justin Brant

Stephanie Hsiung

Andrew Sayler

Jack Vultaggio

Eli Feldman

Kenneth Gillis

David Kang

Emily Swallow

Julie Zahniser

Meetings, which will be virtual in the near-term, will be open to the public via webcast and facilitated by an outside vendor. Details on the date and time of the first meeting will be determined based on the availability of panel members.

Nearly 100 community members applied to be on the panel. Representatives from the city and Xcel Energy interviewed 28 finalists and ultimately selected the final 18. Terms were assigned randomly. All members selected for a one- or two-year term will be eligible for two additional three-year terms. Those selected for a three-year term are eligible for one additional three-year term. Short biographies for the members are available online.

Boulder voters approved a new partnership with Xcel Energy in November 2020 that will help the community reduce emissions, add renewable energy, improve reliability and offer energy programs that are accessible and helpful to Boulder customers. The Community Advisory Panel is an essential component of the partnership’s success, serving as a connection between the community and the partnership.

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