Powerlines May 2026

Preparing for a Dry Summer: DMEA’s Fire Mitigation Takes Center Stage

by Jack Johnston, CEO

A recloser is an automatic circuit breaker that detects temporary faults (like branches touching lines), and opens to cut power and then closes to restore service, only locking out if the fault persists. In wildfire mode, the recloser does not activate after a fault, and lines are visually inspected.

We all have a role to play in wildfire mitigation. After one of the driest winters on record, DMEA is preparing for the realities of wildfire risk across our service territory. Reducing risk is the most important tool we have to protect our communities and infrastructure.

We expect to operate in wildfire mode for much of the summer. This means if a fault occurs, outages may last longer. In wildfire mode, lines are not automatically re-energized to prevent sparks; instead, linemen patrol and inspect the line before restoring power. This proactive approach prioritizes the safety of our members, communities, and first responders during high fire risk. We understand that any disruption is inconvenient. However, these short-term impacts are part of a larger, long-term commitment to reliability, safety, and resilience.

Vegetation management is also equally important for wildfire mitigation. I’m proud to share that our crews continued strong work in 2025, removing 3,415 trees and 7,840 pieces of brush, and trimming 3,530 trees that were in the way of our lines. This work reduces the likelihood of power lines contacting vegetation, a leading cause of power-line-related fires.

As members, there are steps you can take to help in wildfire mitigation.

Plan: What’s your family emergency plan? Make sure your family is prepared. Ready.gov has great resources for emergency readiness.

Backups: Do you have a backup battery or generator for important devices at home? Make sure your essential devices are covered.

Know Before You Go: Are there fire restrictions? Check westslopefireinfo.com to see if there are restrictions in your county.

See this month’s Electric Strip comic, titled ‘Blaze-Blocking Fire Smarts’ to learn more.

Wildfire mitigation is not something we do alone. Our coordination with local first responders and emergency management includes aligning efforts, sharing information, and supporting rapid response. We are committed to being a strong partner in protecting the places we all call home.

Thank you for your understanding, your preparedness, and your continued trust as we navigate wildfire season together.

Find more tips at dmea.com/wildfire.

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Find Your Superpower

Save the day! Find your superpower at the 2026 DMEA Annual Meeting. Meet your destiny... Thursday, June 18 at the Olathe High School ...to be continued.

Find more information at dmea.com/elections.

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Your Co-op, Your Vote

DMEA members are being asked to vote on a change to the cooperative’s director term limits.

Serving on the board of an electric cooperative and making complex decisions requires significant experience and training. This is a professional position and it takes five to six years to complete certifications, gain industry knowledge, and fully develop expertise in cooperative governance.

Currently, directors may serve four 3-year terms for a total of 12 years with a 2-year wait period if members continue to elect them. The proposed change would allow directors to serve 4-year terms with a 4-year wait period if members continue to elect them.

Extending potential service helps to ensure the cooperative benefits from well-trained leadership when overseeing long-term investments in infrastructure, energy resources, and cybersecurity.

Members vote in every director election, and this proposal does not change the cooperative’s democratic election process. It simply allows members the option to retain experienced directors longer if they believe those directors are serving the cooperative well.

Members are encouraged to review the proposal carefully and participate in the vote. Find Additional Information at dmea.com/elections.

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Conjure Up a Free Router Upgrade

Are you due for an upgrade?

If you live in Cedaredge, Eckert, Orchard City, Hotchkiss, or Paonia 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!**

*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.

Stay tuned for upgrades coming to other areas soon!

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Concern for Community

The Elevate team ready for action at the line.

Elevate Plays for Wish Week at Dodgeball Tournament

The Annual Delta High School (DHS) Wish Week dodgeball tournament was a win for the Elevate crew and their families. The charity dodgeball tournament was a powerful example of the community showing up for one of its own

Teams came ready to compete, and ready to rally around DHS alum Keslie Sandoval as she faces kidney failure. Elevate was proud to be part of it, finishing in second place after a strong showing throughout the tournament. While it’s always fun to compete, the real highlight was being part of an event centered around lifting up Keslie and her journey. Events like this remind us that when a community comes together, real impact happens.

We’re grateful to stand alongside so many others in supporting Keslie and to be part of a community that continues to lead with heart.

“It meant so much to see everyone come together— not just to play, but to support Keslie and her journey. That’s what our Elevate community is all about.” — Renee Valdez-Knowles, Elevate Construction Coordinator

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How You Can Help:

Community members can continue supporting Keslie and Wish Week efforts by making donations to the following Venmo account @shawna-magtutu with the comment “Kelsie’s Quest.”

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Energy Efficiency for Your Home

Join us at our Energy Efficiency Event in Delta on Wednesday, May 20 at 11:30 AM in the Delta Library Community Room. Get energy efficiency tips, assistance info, library resources, demos, free lunch, and prizes!

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The Electric Strip

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