Powerlines October 2025

Celebrating the Power of Cooperation

by Jack Johnston, CEO

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October is National Cooperative Month, and at Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA), it’s the perfect time to celebrate what makes our cooperative unique. Since our founding in 1938, DMEA has existed to serve the people of Delta and Montrose counties—not outside investors. That local, member-first focus has shaped everything we’ve done for over 85 years.

When the first power lines were strung across our valleys, the goal was simple: bring reliable, affordable power to rural Colorado. That mission has never changed. Today, we serve more than 30,000 members, deliver safe and dependable electricity, and continue to innovate through locally generated energy and fiber expansion. But at the heart of it all is the same cooperative spirit—neighbors coming together to build something more substantial.

One of the most significant benefits of being a cooperative member is knowing that your interests come first. Because we are not-for-profit, every decision we make is with you in mind. That’s why we’ve kept electric rates stable for six years, even as costs rise nationwide. It’s also why we reinvest in programs that support efficiency, locally generated energy, and community well-being.

The cooperative model gives you a voice. Members elect a local board of directors, guide our priorities, and help shape our region’s energy future. It’s democracy in action, and it ensures that DMEA remains accountable to the communities we serve.

Our success comes from the seven cooperative principles (center) that guide all cooperatives. These principles are not just ideals but the foundation for daily operations.

As we celebrate National Cooperative Month, I want to thank our members for your trust and engagement. Together, we’ve built more than just a utility. We’ve built a cooperative that delivers stability, innovation, and community value for generations to come.

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Small Changes, Big Savings

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Tips for decreasing your energy use

The first step in keeping your home warm in colder months is to take care of air leaks. Seal these gaps with caulk, expanding foam or weather stripping. This helps keep warm air in during winter, and hot air out during the summer.

Common trouble spots include:

Recessed lighting
Chimneys
Attic hatches or pull-down stairs
Pipes, ductwork, and wiring

Find more energy saving tips!

Visit dmea.com/efficiency

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Friday Night Lights

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Huddle up for a free community night hosted by DMEA and Elevate!

Mark your calendars for these Friday night matchups:

Cedaredge at North Fork

Friday, October 10 | 7:00 p.m. | North Fork High School

Meeker at Olathe

Friday, October 24 | 7:00 p.m. | Olathe High School

Join us for a special member and customer appreciation event and enjoy free admission, special giveaways, and a chance to cheer on our hometown teams.

For more information, visit dmea.com/news/2025-friday-night-lights

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Welcome TDS Customers

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Elevate Internet would like to extend a warm welcome to our new TDS customers!

We’re unpacking our cables, polishing our service, and firing up the fiber in preparation for the move. But before we unbox the routers and connect the Wi-Fi, we want to keep you informed so you can plug in, power up, and press play without missing a beat.

Visit elevateinternet.com/welcome-tds to learn more.

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Snap It! Fall Photo Contest

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Enter Your Best Fall Photo

Calling all members! We’re excited to announce our Snap It Fall Photo Contest, and we want to see your best shots. Whether it’s a beautiful landscape, a candid moment this fall, or something that captures the spirit of your town in DMEA territory, your creativity could win you a prize!

Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your photography skills, and celebrate our community. Snap your photo, send it in for the chance to be featured in upcoming newsletters, and win a fall prize package from DMEA!

Who

All members are invited to join in! Amateur and professional photographers alike are welcome. One photo per month, per person, please.

What

A Fall Community Photo Contest open to anyone - show o your best autumn shot. People, pets, kids, food, and sunsets are all fair game. Photos must be less than 10MB in size and .jpg or .jpeg format.

When

‍Submit your photo by October 31, 11:59 PM MST

Where

‍Send entries to communications@dmea.com. Include the photographer’s name and a short caption.

How

‍Photos will be judged on technical quality, creativity, emotional impact, and relevance to the fall theme.

Prize Alert

‍Not only will your photo be featured in the newsletter, but the winner will also receive a special prize! Winners will be announced and published in the November issue.

DMEA reserves the right to use photos in other member communications and to resize or crop entries for publication requirements.

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What to Know About AI

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a tool being used across every industry and in many households. Here are some things to keep in mind on your online journey, and when using AI yourself:

Uses for AI

Common ways to use this tool are to summarize long documents, generate a list of ideas, or spot patterns in text or visuals. It will never replace your expertise.

Review results

If you are using AI to draft language, always be sure to review and refine results to ensure you get the best solution possible. These machines are still learning–and sometimes they just get it wrong.

Accuracy depends on prompts

Provide clear instructions, background information, and details about your audience. You should also use precise language and keywords strategically, and remember to refine your prompts based on the AI's responses.

Bad Actors use AI too

Don’t trust something just because it looks or sounds real — verify through multiple sources. Use our free ElevateIQ app, which filters threats and potential scams at your router.

Get ElevateIQ today!

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Hunt Safe

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Know your target and what's beyond it. Never shoot near power lines or other electrical equipment!

Report any damage to electrical equipment you may come upon to DMEA immediately by calling 877-687-3632.

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