Powerlines March 2026

Growth, Responsibility, and Protecting What Matters Most

by Jack Johnston, CEO

DMEA balances the demand for residential and industrial loads and evaluates large loads with care.

You may have seen worldwide media coverage lately about data centers and the growing demand for electricity. It’s a topic that naturally raises questions, and I want to take a moment to address it directly and transparently with you—our members.

DMEA has served a data center since 2022 and others in the past, albeit on smaller scales than you may have read about recently. We have also served large industrial loads, so we remain ready and prepared to evaluate new loads regardless of scale. As your cooperative, our responsibility is clear and unwavering: our members come first. That principle guides every decision we make. Any large load is evaluated carefully, deliberately, and with the same standards we apply across the board.

We realize there may be concerns about the unknown long-term impacts of data centers. Regardless, our approach will be thoughtful and measured. We assess capacity, timing, system reliability, cost responsibility, and risk before moving forward with any major load, and we do so with strong oversight and planning. This is to ensure existing and future members are not put at a financial or operational risk.

Growth can bring opportunity, and we exist to serve our communities, but we will always manage our resources responsibly and align with our cooperative values. We will never compromise service quality or shift undue financial burden onto our membership.

As the energy landscape continues to evolve, we remain committed to clear communication, prudent decision-making, and putting members first—today and for the long term. Find more information at dmea.com/data-centers. Thank you for your trust in DMEA.

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Powering Smarter, Saving Together

At DMEA, we’re focused on keeping energy safe, reliable, and affordable for every member. Improving your home’s energy performance helps you reduce monthly bills, increase comfort, and boost property value. Ready to save? Follow these steps to learn more:

Call
The first step in home improvement is to find upgrades that will benefit your home the most. Call Rod Geiger, our Energy Services Specialist, at 970-240-1258 to review your bill and determine if a walk-through is necessary.
Assess
DMEA offers a complementary energy walk-through visual inspection to identify measures that can help yousave. Depending on your home, an infrared camera could be used to find areas of air infiltration through windows and doors, or wall cavities that could use more insulation.
Upgrade
Based on information gathered in steps 1 or 2, prioritize energy-saving upgrades for your home.

For additional assistance or information, call Rod Geiger, Energy Services Specialist at 970-240-1258 or visit dmea.com/efficiency to find a home energy evaluation form.

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On the Cover

Winter light and snow cling to the walls of Black Canyon of the Gunnison, a quiet reminder that beauty persists in difficult conditions.

Congratulations to Jason Hatfield, our Winter Photo Contest Winner

Ready for Spring?

Submit your Spring photo by March 31, 11:59 PM MST to tally.so/r/XxWezO.

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From Lens to Legend

A big idea and the right tools helped Drew Loewen turn a small start into DLC Video, now producing commercial projects across the Western Slope. Elevate powers the work behind the scenes, from massive uploads to nonstop video calls.

With the connection he needs, Drew stays on the cutting edge of videography.

Take your shot to do something legendary. Sign up today at elevateinternet.com.

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Concern for Community

Youth Programs: Four local students attending

Each year, DMEA uses the Unclaimed Capital Credits fund to send one student to Washington, D.C., to the Rural Electric Youth Tour, and up to three students to Steamboat Springs to the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp.

Meet this year’s participants and read about a problem they want to solve.

Conner Luttrell
Montrose High School
“...development and agriculture can be worked together to live in harmony.”

Gavin Ranstrom
Montrose High School
“A (new) park...can protect and provide for our community, and not just the human one.”

Kayla Braaten
Montrose High School
“My proposed solution (to rural animal emergency care) is a veterinary emergency van coop(erative).”

Alejandro Vargas Nunez
Montrose High School
“This is not my planet, it’s everybody’s, and we need to work together.”

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Elevate 101

A senior's guide to the digital world.

Stay safer online

Ready to click with confidence? Elevate 101 is rolling out a fun, friendly class for seniors who want to stay safe online without needing a tech translator on speed dial. We’ll talk through real-life topics like spotting scams and phishing emails, creating a safe password system, protecting personal information, and knowing what’s safe to click—and what’s definitely not. Bring your questions, your curiosity, and maybe that one thing your device keeps doing that drives you nuts. Refreshments are on us.

Delta Library
124 6th Street, Delta
Wednesday, April 15, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Maloney House
575 South River Lane, Hotchkiss
Thursday, April 30, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Participate to win fantastic prizes! Space is limited!

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The Electric Strip

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