Ray Beck has worn many hats during his decades of service to Northwest Colorado. From electrician to mayor, city council member to Moffat County commissioner, Beck’s tenure as a public servant has spanned generations of change.

Now, in retirement, his commitment to the region isn’t waning — it’s evolving.

Beck currently serves as a co-founder of JOLT, or Joint Organizations Leading Transition, a nonprofit focused on supporting energy-impacted communities as they face economic shifts tied to the decline of coal and the evolution of energy policy in Colorado.

“After my retirement I wondered what I would do with the information I’ve learned over the years and still make a difference,” Beck said. “That’s where JOLT came in.”

Founded by Beck and Rose Pugliese, a former Mesa County commissioner and current state legislator in House District 14, JOLT operates on three central goals: advocate for sound policies in energy-impacted communities, communicate the benefits of an “all-of-the-above” energy economy and educate the public about energy diversity.

In Beck’s view, these goals are essential for stabilizing the region’s economy and ensuring a sustainable future.

“I’ve seen boom and bust over and over again,” Beck said. “Especially here on the Western Slope, that’s been the cycle. Coal has been king, but now we have to figure out what’s next.”

For Beck, the key is collaboration — not only between governmental entities but between citizens and different industries. He sees energy as more than a power source — it’s a foundation for economic development, family stability and community identity.

“Energy is economic development,” Beck said. “It supports families. It also supports local economies as it provides revenues for local governments, which in turn support traditional services. And it’s about more than any one industry — it’s about making sure these communities don’t get left behind.”

JOLT’s annual Energy Summit is one of the organization’s most visible efforts. The 2023 event was held in Craig, and in 2024 it was held in Montrose. This year, JOLT convened in Rifle, where more than 160 participants gathered at the Rifle Community Hospital for discussions around nuclear, natural gas and even an interim spent nuclear waste storage facility.ge facility.

As Beck described it, the event was more than a conference — it was a catalyst.

“We weren’t just trying to fill the room,” he said. “We were trying to get the right people in the room, including people who could take this education and bring it back to their towns, their counties and their state offices.”

Among those in attendance was Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, whose keynote address focused on energy integration, not exclusion.

“He said it shouldn’t be about ‘or,’ it should be about ‘and,'” Beck recalled. “That’s really our philosophy as well. It’s not about picking winners and losers — it’s about using every available resource to meet our energy needs.”

That inclusive approach is one Beck hopes will gain more traction, especially as Northwest Colorado faces the gradual closure of coal-fired power plants and mines. The financial impact, especially on property tax revenues that fund local services, has been a serious concern to the communities that have relied on those sectors for decades.

Beck believes that a successful transition will require buy-in from the community itself.

“We can’t just depend on elected officials,” he said. “We all need to roll up our sleeves. If you want to make a difference, this is the time.”

Beck’s own public service began long before JOLT.

Born and raised in Routt County, he graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 1968 and attended Colorado Northwestern Community College on a wrestling scholarship. After a long career with Yampa Valley Electric Association, Beck served multiple terms on Craig City Council, including one as mayor, before being elected as a Moffat County commissioner.

His current work with JOLT builds on that legacy, connecting the lessons of the past with the needs of the future.

“I don’t think you need a title to make a difference,” Beck said. “This is about leaving a legacy — about doing what we can so the communities we love can survive and thrive.”

That legacy isn’t something Beck is building alone. JOLT’s board includes other former elected officials, industry professionals and education leaders, including the president of Colorado Northwestern Community College. The group is already planning next year’s Energy Summit, to be held at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction. Beck said they’re hoping to double attendance and have invited both the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Energy to speak.

“We’ve got great support,” Beck said, citing Guzman Energy, Tri-State, Xcel Energy, United Energy, Atmos and several Western Slope counties as key partners. “I think people are hungry for education. That’s what makes this work matter.”

When asked what success looks like for Moffat County, Beck didn’t hesitate.

“It’s survival,” he said. “It’s leaving a legacy. It’s helping ensure that these places don’t disappear. And we can do that, but we’ve got to start now.”

For Beck, the mission in the face of uncertainty is clear: keep building, keep educating and keep showing up — title or no title.

For more information on JOLT, please visit JoltEnergySummit.com.