Friday Night Lights Celebrates Three Years of Community, Connection, & Hometown Pride
The final whistle has blown, but the community spirit of Friday Night Lights continues to shine. For the third consecutive year, Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA) and Elevate brought local communities together for four high school football games, celebrating school spirit, hometown pride, and the power of giving back.
An estimated 6,000 fans attended games in Montrose, Delta, Cedaredge, and Olathe this season, enjoying free admission courtesy of DMEA and Elevate. What began in 2024 as an effort to bring people together has grown into an annual tradition celebrating the student-athletes, schools, families, and fans who make our communities special.
“Strong communities are built when people show up for one another, support our schools, and take pride in where they live. Friday Night Lights gives us an opportunity to do just that, and seeing thousands of people come together year after year reminds us of the importance of the Cooperative Principle #7 Concern for Community,” said DMEA CEO Jack Johnston.
Throughout the season, DMEA and Elevate partnered with local school districts to create memorable game-night experiences. Elevate’s mascot, Gigfoot, joined the festivities while DMEA and Elevate representatives connected with members and customers, celebrated school communities, and participated in special on-field recognitions.
The impact extended beyond the football field. DMEA and Elevate awarded $4,000 in electric and internet bill credits to members through drawings held at each game.
This year also marked a milestone for DMEA’s Operation Round Up program, with Friday Night Lights helping welcome more than 60 new participants. Through Operation Round Up, participating members voluntarily round up their monthly electric bills to the next dollar, with the additional funds supporting local charitable organizations and community needs.
From the opening kickoff in Montrose to the final game in Olathe, this year’s Friday Night Lights series demonstrated what’s possible when local organizations, schools, and residents come together around a shared purpose.
DMEA and Elevate thank the participating schools, community partners, volunteers, and fans who helped make the third year of Friday Night Lights a success. Their continued support is helping turn a shared idea into a lasting community tradition.
For more information, visit dmea.com or elevateinternet.com.
