Powerlines August 2026

Finding Our Superpowers Together

by Jack Johnston, CEO

One of my favorite traditions each year is gathering with our members at DMEA’s Annual Meeting. Thank you to everyone who joined us this year. With more than 500 members and guests in attendance, it was a wonderful reminder of what makes our cooperative special—our members are at the heart of everything we do.

Our “Find Your Superpowers” theme celebrated how members strengthen DMEA. Members “activated” their superpowers through six interactive stations:

Fire Force Field highlighted DMEA’s fire mitigation and vegetation efforts
Future Foresight discussed the members’ ability to control their bills through efficient energy usage
Super Speed focused on Elevate’s award-winning service and demonstrated fiber splicing
Super Strength celebrated the power of community through the Capital Credit Community Fund
Invisibility shared behind-the-scenes info of the teams and departments that keep DMEA/Elevate running
Power of Many offered an opportunity for members to sign up for Operation Round Up

During the business meeting, we shared updates on the investments we’re making to strengthen reliability, finalize our build of Elevate fiber internet, reduce wildfire risk, and continue returning value to members through capital credits and community programs. We also discussed the challenges facing electric cooperatives nationwide.

We also talked about rates, as we know this is a top priority for our membership. DMEA expects there may be a need for rate increases over the next few years. Though we had been able to keep rates stable for six years before 2026, rising transmission costs, new resource adequacy requirements, and inflation are all increasing the cost of providing safe, reliable electricity. It’s our job to manage the costs we can control before we ever ask members to pay more. We are working on finding ways to keep costs down without sacrificing the reliability our members depend on.

As a not-for-profit cooperative, we don’t answer to shareholders—we answer to you. Every decision we make is guided by what’s best for our members and our communities.

Thank you for your continued trust, participation, and support. Together, we’re building a stronger cooperative and a brighter future for everyone we serve.

View the 2025 Annual Report

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Friday Night Lights

Join us for member and customer appreciation events! Free admission and special giveaways.

August 21, 7 PM
Durango vs. Montrose
Montrose High School

September 18, 7 PM
Pagosa Springs vs. Delta
Delta High School

September 25, 7 PM
North Fork vs. Cedaredge
Cedaredge High School

October 16, 7 PM
Cedaredge vs. Olathe
Olathe High School

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Making Sense of Smart Appliances

Any appliance that is connected to the internet via Wi-Fi is considered ‘smart’. You can now purchase hot water heaters, electric heaters, refrigerators, and more that can be controlled using your phone, tablet, or voice-assisted device. But why? The benefits include monitoring appliances over time, optimizing their electric use, and controlling them from afar. Here are three examples:

Thermostats

Heating and cooling typically account for the largest portion of a home's energy use, making a smart thermostat one of the most effective ways to save electricity. These devices learn when you’re away at work or on vacation (many have ‘geofencing’ location technology) and automatically adjust the temperature. It will alter the temperature a few degrees while you're gone and begin heating or cooling your home shortly before you return. Many models can be controlled remotely from a smartphone.

Washing Machines

Smart washers make laundry day more efficient by helping you use less electricity and water. Many models recommend the best cycle based on load size and type. Imagine loading the washer before bed and setting it to start early the next morning, or receiving a notification on your phone when the cycle is complete so clothes don't sit in the washer all day. Some smart washers can even detect maintenance issues before they become costly repairs.

Refrigerators

Your refrigerator runs 24/7, so small efficiency improvements add up over time. Smart refrigerators monitor internal temperatures and can alert your phone if a door is left open or if efficiency isn’t optimal. Some models automatically adjust cooling settings based on how often the door is opened. If you're away, the refrigerator can switch to an energy-saving mode while keeping food safely chilled. Phone notifications can prevent unnecessary energy use and spoiled groceries.

Smart devices are an investment that helps reduce energy waste, improve convenience, and lower electric bills over time.

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Elevate 101

A senior's guide to the digital world

Intro to Streaming TV

Join the internet experts at Elevate to tap into the world of online TV. Learn about the differences between cable, live streaming, and on-demand TV, and figure out what’s best for you. Refreshments are on us! Participate to win fantastic prizes!

Crawford Library
545 Highway 92
Thursday, August 6, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Cedaredge Library
180 SW 6th Ave
Thursday, September 10, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Space is limited! Register today at elevateinternet.com/101 or by calling 844-386-8744.

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Concern for Community

North Fork Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Hanna Yates educates youth and their parents about the pediatric head-to-toe measuring device that helps the EMT identify the right-sized equipment for young patients.

Tools Transforming Treatment

Imagine you're an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) responding to a call in a remote area of the North Fork Valley. A frightened parent meets you at the door with their five-year-old child experiencing a severe allergic reaction. In that moment, there's no time to second-guess medication dosages or fumble with outdated equipment that might crash at the worst possible time.

Thanks to DMEA's $22,786 donation to North Fork Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from the Capital Credit Community Fund, that scenario looks different today. Through technology infrastructure improvements and the new Handtevy Pediatric Emergency Care System, the EMT instantly opens an app, inputs the child's weight, and receives precise medication dosages—no high-pressure mental math. The child-specific equipment guides ensure the right size tools and emergency care standards are used across a 1,500-square-mile service area.

DMEA's investment means that when a child in our community faces a medical emergency, our providers have the same advanced tools and accurate dosing information that larger urban systems have. — Kimber Gallob, Grant Writer and EMT North Fork EMS

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How You Can Help:

Donate to the North Fork Ambulance Auxiliary at northforkambulance.com.

Volunteer through board leadership, administrative support, or community outreach efforts.

Become an EMT and join the North Fork EMS team to directly serve your community in emergency medical response.

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Cyber Safe Back to School

Back-to-school means homework, group chats, gaming, and endless scrolling. Keep your guard up with these tips:

Beware of Urgent or Outdated Language

Many scammers reel in people online using intimidation or unusual phrasing. Phrases like “Limited time”, “Final Notice”, or “Legal Action” are common examples of using intimidation to entertain urgency. Outdated terminology like “kindly” could be red-flag language.

Watch Out for Copycats

Not every message is what it seems. A random text from a friend, a surprise giveaway, or an email claiming your account has been hacked could actually be someone pretending to be someone you trust. If it feels weird, check with the real person or company before you reply or click.

Don’t Fall for Click Bait

"See who searched for you!" or "Claim your prize!" If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers use flashy headlines like these to get clicks, then ask for your personal information or payment.

Use ElevateIQ for Protection

ElevateIQ safeguards your devices from malware and virus threats before they are problems. Content filters to restrict access to violent or explicit content, enable age-appropriate social media apps, and set daily Wi-Fi schedules and screen time limits.

Keep your accounts—and your future—safe this school year.

Get ElevateIQ today!

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The Electric Strip

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