Powerlines February 2026

The Quiet Power of Membership

by Jack Johnston, CEO

It started with a call.

A member noticed something didn’t look right. On a quiet Saturday, they took a moment to reach out and let us know a nearby power pole was leaning. They saw something, said something, and that call made a difference.

An on-call lineman responded immediately and found that the pole had lost two of its anchors. While the lights were still on, the situation needed attention. A crew was brought in, equipment was staged, and the pole was stabilized before it could impact service or safety. The work was completed quickly and carefully, allowing power to continue flowing while the weekend proceeded as planned.

Just a week prior, a driver struck a power pole at the top of a busy highway at 2 a.m. The damage involved a broken pole supporting a complex three-phase line that serves homes, businesses, and essential services. While most members in the area were sleeping, a decision was made to take a controlled outage to swiftly and safely replace the pole. In the early hours, under challenging conditions, they focused on one priority: restoring service safely and efficiently.

These moments are part of the everyday story of electricity—often unseen but always centered on the people who depend on it.

Electric service is about more than infrastructure. It’s about being ready at any hour, responding when members call, and taking the time to do the work the right way. It’s about investing in skilled crews, safety practices, and a system designed to serve members for the long term.

When the lights turn on with the flip of a switch, it’s easy to take that moment for granted. But behind that simplicity lies a shared commitment—to reliability, safety, and the members who count on us every day.

Sometimes, that commitment starts with a single call. One member took a moment to speak up, noticing something that didn’t look right. That call set a chain of care in motion—allowing our system operators to assess the issue and our linemen to respond before a leaning pole became a broken one or an outage for nearby neighbors.

From system operators and linemen to substation technicians and other field crews, our teams are ready to act to keep power flowing safely and efficiently. Their expertise, coordination, and dedication ensure potential problems are addressed before they become larger disruptions.

This is the quiet power of membership: neighbors looking out for one another, skilled professionals answering the call, and a shared commitment to protecting the service we all rely on.

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Energy Assistance

If you or someone you know need help paying your electric bill, the following agencies offer financial assistance.

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
Assistance available November 1 - April 30.
Delta County: 970-874-2030
Montrose County: 970-252-5000
cdhs.colorado.gov/leap

Colorado’s Affordable Residential Energy Program (CARE)
Provides income-qualified Coloradans in participating counties with free home energy efficiency upgrades for homeowners and renters.
303-825-8750
energyoutreach.org/care/

Delta County Human Services
970-874-2030

Delta Family Center, Delta County
970-874-9517

DMEA Operation Round Up
Operation Round Up distributes donations from participating members based on need and community impact.
dmea.com/operation-round-up

Energy Outreach of Colorado (EOC)
Assistance available year-round. If you do not qualify for LEAP assistance, you may still apply for heating assistance through EOC’s partner agencies.
303-825-8750
energyoutreach.org

Free Home Weatherization
The Colorado Energy Office and Housing Resources of Western Colorado provide income-qualified residents with free weatherization services. Eligible members receive an energy audit to determine needed improvements, which will be made free of charge.
970-241-2871

Montrose County Health and Human Services
970-252-5000

Salvation Army, Montrose County
970-399-3584

Colorado Energy Assistance Foundation Denver (CEAF)
Provides energy bill assistance, weatherization, and energy efficiency programs for low-income Coloradans.
303-825-8750

For additional assistance or information, please call 877-687-3632 or dmea.com/assistance-programs

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Your Co-op, Your Vote

Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA) is governed by a nine-member, democratically-elected board of directors. Every year, members elect three local representatives to serve on the board.

2026 Candidate Nomination & Election Information

DMEA Board nominations open March 9. Districts 6 and 7, and the North Region are up for election this year. Members with a primary residence in one of these areas can submit a petition to run for the board. To confirm your residency and to learn more about the nomination process, please visit dmea.com/elections.

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Elevate Impact

Internet for all

Affordable, reliable internet is essential in today's world, but some families struggle to afford this modern necessity. Elevate is committed to providing community members in our rural area with high-speed internet, ensuring households can stay connected and thrive.

IMPACT Discount $20/month for internet

Essential (400 Mbps) $54.95
With IMPACT Discount $34.95
With IMPACT + Lifeline Discount $25.70

Streamer (1 Gig) $79.95
With IMPACT Discount $59.95
With IMPACT + Lifeline Discount $50.70

Family (2 Gig) $99.95
With IMPACT Discount $79.95
With IMPACT + Lifeline Discount $70.70

Legend (6 Gig) $149.95
With IMPACT Discount $129.95
With IMPACT + Lifeline Discount $120.70

How to apply

Apply for IMPACT and Lifeline at elevateinternet.com/assistance-programs and provide official proof of eligibility.

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Concern for Community

This Giving Goes Further: Amplifying Those Who Serve Through Partnership

Supporting our communities goes beyond delivering reliable electricity—it means reinvesting in the people and organizations who care for and protect our neighbors. Through the Unclaimed Capital Credits (UCC) Grant Program, capital credits that go unclaimed are returned to our communities to support charitable and educational initiatives, ensuring member dollars continue to make a local impact.

In 2025, DMEA awarded UCC grants to two essential organizations: the Hotchkiss Police Department received $9,000 to strengthen local law enforcement through equipment and operational support, and North Fork Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was awarded $22,786 to support lifesaving services, training, and critical equipment throughout the North Fork Valley.

Through our partnership with CoBank’s Sharing Success program, both organizations also received an additional $7,500 each, extending the impact of these investments through cooperative collaboration.

“We are proud to partner with an organization that shares our dedication to public safety and community wellbeing. Please know that this support is deeply valued and will have a lasting positive impact.” — Scott Green, Chief of Police, Hotchkiss Police Department

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We are grateful to the Hotchkiss Police Department and North Fork EMS for their dedication to our communities and we are proud to support their vital work. We also thank CoBank for its partnership, which demonstrates the power of cooperatives working together to strengthen rural communities.

Learn More

To learn more about Unclaimed Capital Credits, visit dmea.com/capital-credits. Interested organizations can apply for UCC funding at dmea.com/sponsorships.

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Spark Sessions

A Glowing Invitation

Join us for one of our upcoming Spark Sessions—four relaxed, come-as-you-are gatherings where cooperative members can chat face-to-face with senior staff and board leaders. This is your chance to ask questions, share ideas, and get to know the folks powering your wires behind the scenes. Drop in, say hello, and have a refreshment on us.

Save These Dates!

Tuesday, February 17, 7:00am - 9:00am
Looney Bean Coffee Roasting Company, 3480 Wolverine Drive, Montrose

‍Thursday, February 26, 7:00am - 9:00am
Rise and Shine Fuel Coffee, 520 Highway 92, Delta

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The Electric Strip

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