Gabi Wasserman: MPA Student Supports Public Power Advocacy
MPA student collaborates with Institute for Local Self-Reliance's Energy Democracy Project to create a practical guide for communities pursuing public power and local energy control.
Laura McHugh | University Communications Dec 8, 2025
Gabi Wasserman is a Master of Public Administration (MPA) student at CU Denver’s School of Public Affairs with a concentration in public policy, specifically utility regulation. As part of his coursework, he collaborated with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance's Energy Democracy Project team to develop the Public Power Handbook—a guide for communities exploring publicly owned power models like municipal electric utilities.
The handbook offers step-by-step guidance on how to municipalize a private utility, from coalition-building to anticipating utility pushback. It also outlines alternative approaches that promote local energy control and accountability.
Outside of his academic work, Wasserman serves as Finance Director for the Colorado-based nonprofit Ramah in the Rockies.