PowerLines July 2024

Treasures Abound at 2024 DMEA Annual Meeting

Jack Johnston, CEO

After hoisting the main sails of our annual gathering, a pirate themed event, it was a privilege to share DMEA’s accomplishments in 2023 and highlight the course we’ve set for the future.

I enjoyed interacting with all who joined us at Columbine Middle School last month for adventure and family fun. We had a hardy-good time watching you navigate through a treasure hunt, visiting our community and educational booths, and sampling bounty from each one. DMEA strives to serve our communities, and we hope your journey to each one was a treat.

One of the biggest treasures in 2023 is that your cooperative kept electric rates unchanged, a trend that has continued since the latter part of 2019. I am happy to say that in 2023 DMEA also had no lost time due to accidents or injuries, and we decreased our average system downtime, which means a more reliable system for you, our members.

During the meeting, we also concluded the annual Board of Directors election. Every year, three seats are up for election as part of our three-year rotation between DMEA’s nine districts. We added electronic voting to this year’s options, and as a result, member participation increased by 40%. We are pleased to have improved on our commitment to the core cooperative principle, democratic member control. Join me in appreciating all the candidates who ran and congratulating our winners!

We won’t make you walk the plank if you couldn’t attend this year’s meeting, but we hope you can make it next year. You can also watch a recording of the meeting on DMEA’s Facebook page at facebook.com/dmeacoop. Thanks to those of you members who turned out to participate and enjoyed DMEA’s annual meeting. I hope to see you again at one of our upcoming events!

2024 Election Highlights

More than 300 total attendees enjoyed food trucks and a treasure hunt, with eight lucky land-lubbers winning treasure chests loaded with booty from our local communities.

The 2024 Delta-Montrose Electric Association’s (DMEA) Board of Directors Election concluded with two incumbent candidates retaining their seats for another three-year term. Members re-elected Steve Metheny in District 2. Kevin Williams retained his seat in District 5, running unopposed, and Ryan Sedgeley secured the District 1 seat.

District 1

4,338 total votes
Ryan Sedgeley 58.1%
Toby Romero Jr. 41.9%

District 2

4,408 total votes
Steve Metheny 36.4%
Jesse Haywood 35.6%
Ken Norris 27.9%

District 5

3,748 total votes
Kevin Williams, (unopposed) 100%

‍Did you get your pirate photo taken? Download them here!

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Experiencing an outage?

Stay informed during outages. Access real-time updates, alerts, and essential tips. Visit dmea.com/outage or click the Outage Center icon in the menu bar for more details.

Report outages, find safety tips, and read our FAQs

The DMEA Outage Center provides instructions for reporting power outages and offers essential safety tips during disruptions. It also includes frequently asked questions and advice on preparing for outages, such as having an emergency kit and using generators safely.

Live outage map

Stay informed with our Live Outage Map. This interactive tool shows areas currently experiencing outages, number of members affected, and estimated restoration times.

Get outage alerts

Members can receive real-time notifications via text or email about service disruptions and estimated restoration times, ensuring you're always informed and prepared.

To learn more, visit the DMEA Outage Center at dmea.com/outage.

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A Senior's Guide To The Digital World

Feeling lost in our digital world? Elevate is here to help!

Learn the basics of streaming TV, smart devices, video chatting, and internet safety through this 4-class series. The last 2 classes will be held from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at the Delta Public Library (Delta, CO) on the dates below. Refreshments will be provided. Class is free of charge!

Intro to Smart Devices

Learn the basics of using tablets and smart phones, the differences between Android and Apple brands, and gain confidence in getting the most out of your smart devices.

When: August 15, 10-11:30 a.m.
Where: Delta Public Library, 124 E 6th St.
Register at: elevateinternet.com/101 or by calling 844-386-8744.

Attend all four sessions and you’ll be entered to win a Kindle or an iPad!

Save the date for the next one on September 19: Internet Safety.

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Concern For Community

Arts for All: Young Creatives in Harmony

Last winter, Arts for All offered Young Creatives in Harmony, a new program that gives youth the opportunity to explore the world of music. Top-level instructors from the North Fork Valley provided music, art, dance, digital media, recording, and post-production instruction–all culminating in a professional album the students performed and produced themselves.

Students worked in the studio rehearsing, recording, and learning post-production techniques. The project also included music-based kids’ classes, such as dance and how to make album cover art. Parents reflected on how engaged their children were in the process of putting the album together, and students were proud to present music, art, and dance from the recorded album.

Visit ArtsForAllNF.org to find songs from the album and a video about the project.

“The Young Creatives in Harmony project brought a new level of excellence and synergy in arts education to Arts for All. We are so grateful to Elevate for sponsoring this project, which was not only a huge part of our 2024 programming year, but will also impact our organization and community for years to come.” - Rose Costello, Director Arts for All

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How we helped:

Arts for All received one of six $10,000 Elevate Foundations for the Future grants. These grants funded projects and programs throughout Delta and Montrose Counties that benefit youth.

How you can help:

Donate to educational camps for kids:

Check made out to Arts for All, PO Box 1126, Paonia, CO 81428
Venmo @The-LearningCouncil with memo A4A

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3 Scams and How to Spot Them

Staying vigilant is essential to protect ourselves from fraudulent phone calls, text messages, and emails. Stay safe by following these tips.

Phone Scams

Callers posing as a representative from a reputable organization might claim there is an issue that needs your immediate action, such as a problem with your DMEA account, a missed jury summons, or pending legal action.

Don't be pressured: Don’t make hasty decisions. Take your time and call the organization directly using an official number.
Avoid sharing personal information: Don’t share Social Security numbers or account numbers unless you have verified the caller.

Text Scams

Also known as ‘smishing,’ this scam involves sending messages to trick recipients into providing personal information or clicking on malicious links. These messages may appear to come from banks, delivery services, or friends.

Verify the sender: Contact the organization directly using a trusted phone number or email.
Don't click on links: These can lead to phishing websites designed to steal your information.

Email Scams

Phishing emails appear to be from legitimate companies and claim there is a problem with your account or that you have won a prize.

Look for red flags: Be wary of emails with spelling errors or urgent language.
Hover over links: See where they lead before clicking.
Use ElevateIQ: Help protect your device from threats before they arrive.

Stay protected online with the ElevateIQ app, free for all Elevate consumers. Download ElevateIQ.

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Watch Out for Solar Scams

DMEA has received numerous reports that individuals allegedly in the solar power industry are visiting member homes, claiming to be affiliated with DMEA, and exhibiting pushy behavior, such as demanding to enter the home or view the member's electric bill.

While door-to-door sales is a common and legitimate business practice, DMEA reminds members it does not partner with any home solar company and urges members to follow these tips to protect themselves from bad actors.

DON'T fall for pushy or too-good-to-be-true pitches. Door-to-door salesmen may make bold claims such as, "This will eliminate your electric bill" or "Your electric rates are going up 40%." Not only are these untrue but these tactics are meant to incite fear or convince individuals to sign an agreement 'now' or miss out. DMEA’s electric rates have remained unchanged for five years, and the co-op is forecasting no rate increase through 2025.
DON'T sign any contracts to install solar generation before you call DMEA. Your best interests are our concern; some installers are only concerned with making a sale and profit - not about you. DMEA supports approximately 2,000 members with home solar and will work with members and installers to ensure a
successful connection.
DON'T believe social media ads designed to trick you. Social media ads often mimic the appearance of an article, exaggerate savings or the need for financing, or urge you to share your address, contact information, or utility bill.

Interested in solar power?

Contact DMEA Energy Services at 877-687-3632 or interconnection@dmea.com.

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Connecting Streams with Montrose Anglers

Montrose Anglers and Elevate Internet are bridging the gap between nature and technology.

The partnership between Montrose Anglers and Elevate Internet is an amazing example of how businesses can leverage technology to enhance operations, engage the community, and promote sustainability. By working together, our two companies have not only achieved business success but have also made significant contributions to the well-being and growth of the community.