PowerLines June 2025

Training Cultivates Cooperation and Safety Among Electric Cooperatives

by Jack Johnston, CEO

In April, a spirit of cooperation and a shared commitment to safety took center stage in Montrose as DMEA hosted a Level 1 Tree Felling Trainer Certification course. The event brought together personnel from several electric cooperatives, including DMEA, Holy Cross Energy, San Isabel Electric, and Poudre Valley Electric Association, highlighting the value of regional collaboration amongst cooperatives.

Tree felling is high-risk, especially near power lines, homes, and critical infrastructure. For electric cooperatives, the safe and efficient removal of trees is key to maintaining reliable electric service and protecting workers and the public. The Level 1 Tree Felling Trainer Certification course equips our vegetation crews with the knowledge and skills to safely manage these tasks and, crucially, pass those skills on to others.

The course covered a range of essential skills, including proper chainsaw handling and the seven key steps of safe tree felling. One critical focus was the correct technique for creating notches-precise cuts that determine the direction a tree will fall.

With this certification, participants are now qualified to serve as trainers themselves, extending the program's reach and impact. This "train-the-trainer" model helps ensure that new field personnel can be brought up to speed quickly and safely, reinforcing a culture of safety and professionalism across cooperative crews.

In 2021, DEA invested strategically in building internal tree crews, recognizing the growing need to manage vegetation proactively. Hosting this certification course is part of that investment and reflects the cooperative's long-term vision for workforce development and operational excellence.

As CEO, I strongly believe in the value of investing in our team and working together with our partners. Utility companies nationwide face increasing challenges from weather events, wildfires, and aging infrastructure; well-trained vegetation crews are more critical than ever. The April certification course in Montrose exemplifies how electric cooperatives can work together to meet those challenges head-on, prioritizing safety, training, and mutual support.

Cooperative Principle #6: Cooperation Among Cooperatives

By working together through local, regional, national, and international structures, cooperatives improve services, bolster local economies, and deal more effectively with social and community needs.

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What is a Co-op Member?

Voluntary Membership

Membership in a cooperative is open to all people who can reasonably use its services and stand willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, regardless of race, religion, gender, or economic circumstances.

Economic Participation

Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital remains the common property of the cooperative. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative; setting up reserves; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

Democratic Control

Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. Representatives (directors) are elected among the membership and are accountable to them. Co-op members have equal voting rights-one vote per member.

Concern for Community

Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies supported by the membership.

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A Hero Among Us

DMEA's Larry Donathan is 2025 Utilities Person of the Year

Delta County Independent Heroes is designed to recognize the Heroes of Delta. Larry received his award at a celebratory banquet on May 1, 2025. He was recognized for selflessly serving our community and going above and beyond in his role as Equipment Technician Foreman at DMEA. Larry has worked at DMEA for 34 years, and he isn't just a hero here at home-he recently traveled to Guatamala with NRECA International, a volunteer initiative that works to improve quality of life around the world by providing people with access to safe and reliable electricity. During his visit, Larry and other cooperative team members brought electricity to 197 rural homes. Thank you Larry for your leadership and service!

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Internet for All

Affordable, reliable internet is essential in today's world, but some struggle to afford this modern necessity. At Elevate, we are committed to providing everyone in our rural communities with high-speed internet. We created Elevate IMPACT so those less fortunate can stay connected to loved ones.

Discount Details

A monthly discount for qualifying residential subscribers: $20.00/month. This discount can be coupled with the Lifeline Discount ($9.25), resulting in a total discount of $29.25/month. It applies to Elevate internet service only. Consumers can choose any level of service they like.

How to Apply

More information and applications for Elevate IMPACT and Lifeline are available at elevateinternet.com/assistance-programs.

Provide official proof of eligibility. Official proof includes the letters of award from the State of Colorado/Colorado PEAK indicating your participation in a qualifying programs (for anyone living within the household).

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2025 Scholarship Recipients

This year was extremely competitive with more than 100 applications submitted. DMEA partners with the Montrose Community Foundation to operate the program and select recipients. Scholarship funding is provided through DMEA's unclaimed capital credit fund and Guzman Energy.

Brianna Huff, Delta High School $5,000
Natalie Trask, Continuing Education $5,000
Audrey Righter, Montrose High School $5,000
Jesalynn Borgman, North Fork High School $5,000
Willow Webb, North Fork High School $5,000
Robert Smith, Cedaredge High School $5,000
Hayden Fox, Montrose High School $5,000
Beau England, Guzman Lineworker $5,000
Mylee Perry, Colorado Mesa University Montrose $5,000
Ava Silverberg, Montrose High School $5,000
Ashlee Petranovich, Continuing Education $5,000
Paige Sharp, Non-traditional High School $5,000
Kaylee Mautz, Olathe High School $5,000
Ashley Hernandez, Colorado Mesa University Montrose $5,000
Elizabeth Martinez, Delta High School $5,000
Autiana Martinez, Guzman Character $5,000
Hunter Gurule, Guzman Character $5,000
Kelvin Graham, Technical College of the Rockies $5,000
Garret Millsap, Guzman Lineworker $5,000
Brittany Lesperance, Technical College of the Rockies $5,000

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Ready for Some Magic?

Are you due for an upgrade? Conjure up a FREE router upgrade

If you live in an area on the map below and have a black Elevate router (the 844g), you are due for a FREE upgrade! And with our new self-install kit, you’ll swap out your old equipment and become a Wi-Fi Wizard in no time.

Call our office at 970-363-HELP to find out if you qualify.
Pick up your customized "magic kit*" at either our Montrose or Delta office.
Follow the easy spell book to remove your old equipment.
Say the "magic words*" to initiate Wi-Fi on your new router.
Download ElevateIQ, a mystical app, to harness the magic of your router.
Behold, as your new router comes to life to grant you Wi-Fi Wizard powers!**

Stay tuned for upgrades coming to other areas soon!

*Actually, just plug it in. No magic words required—just the magic of fast, reliable, and locally-owned internet!

**Your Elevate router does not actually grant magical powers. But combined with the tools in ElevateIQ, it will provide exceptional Wi-Fi performance.

Call (970) 363-HELP today to get your FREE magical upgrade!

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The Electric Strip

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