PowerLines April 2024

Spring Storms Highlight Critical Role of Lineworkers

The saying goes, “March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb,” and this year, it’s proven true. In early March, high winds and heavy, wet snow rolled through our service territory, bringing down poles and power lines. Throughout the weekend of March 2-3, 2,036 members experienced outages, and our crews worked night and day battling the elements to restore power. It was no easy feat, but if you ask them, it’s all “just part of the job” and part of the electric cooperative mission to which they’re fully committed.

While I can’t say I’m thankful for the outages (we strive to always prevent them), I am thankful that last month’s interruptions have given me an opportunity to highlight the critical role your DMEA lineworkers play – just in time for Lineworker Appreciation Day. Nationally recognized since 2013, just last year, Colorado officially designated April 18 as Electrical Lineworker Appreciation Day with the signing of Senate Resolution 23-007, proclaiming, “The state of Colorado recognizes professional electrical lineworkers, the men and women who protect public safety and maintain the electrical infrastructure so critical to our lives and economic well-being [...] and Colorado’s electrical lineworkers are essential to maintaining electric service for all of Colorado’s residents and businesses 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

We couldn’t agree more. At DMEA, we depend on 18 Journeymen and six Apprentice Lineworkers to ensure we deliver safe and reliable power to our members. Thanks to their efforts, less than 6% of DMEA members were impacted by last month’s weather events. Please join me in showing appreciation for your DMEA lineworkers. Their work often goes unnoticed when things are going right, so it’s only fitting we acknowledge when their work takes them into challenging and just plain miserable conditions.

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New do?

We're so glad you noticed!

Why yes, we have done a little something different with our websites, but you’re in the right place. Our elves have been busy refreshing our sites so they are easier to use and better to look at. Check them out!

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Meet the candidates

2024 Board of Directors Election: Candidate Forums

Montrose:

Wednesday, May 1, 8 - 9 a.m.
Facilitated by The Forum
Cascade Hall at CMU-Montrose Campus South 3rd Plaza, Montrose

Paonia:

Thursday, May 2, 5 - 6 p.m.
Facilitated by The League of Women Voters Blue Sage Center for the Arts
226-228 Grand Ave., Paonia

Online:

Can’t make it in-person?
Watch online: Youtube.com/user/MontroseCityGov or at 4:00 p.m. on community access channel 191 or 970.

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It's Better Here

For five generations, the Campbells have ranched in the North Fork Valley, caring for the land and livestock that feed our communities. In the early 1990s, they joined forces with five other local ranches, establishing Homestead Meats to create a better way to raise, process, market, and sell quality beef in Delta County.

But it's so much more than that. They're leaving behind a legacy of innovation and sustainability, setting future generations up for even more success. At Elevate, that's a legacy we also hold dear because it's ours, too. So let's enjoy the best of both worlds - and maybe a nice ribeye or two - together.

Rural living. Modern internet.

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Concern for Community

Paonia K-8 Students Compete at National History Day

Each spring, Colorado Mesa University (CMU) hosts the annual Western Slope National History Day Regional Competition. Middle and high school students select a topic based on the theme of ‛Turning Points in History,’ conduct in-depth and balanced research, and develop a documentary, exhibit, performance, historical paper, or website as their entry. If students place in the top three of their categories, they go on to the state competition in Denver.

Last month, 19 students from Paonia K-8 (PK8) traveled to Grand Junction to compete with schools from all over the Western Slope. Students presented their projects and were each interviewed by judges, providing valuable experience for interviews later on in life.

How we helped

With $500 in support from DMEA for project supplies and transportation, PK8 had their most successful year yet, with six students moving on to the state competition. Jack Holder and Sierra Puharich took first place in Junior Group Exhibits for their project The 1832 Anatomy Act, and Zazu Alhadeff-Racker and Aaron Frazier took third place in that same category for their project The Battle of Salamis. Gunnar Lee and Alex Martina also took first place in Junior Group Websites for their project Civil Rights in the United States.

How you can help

PK8 now needs your help to get these students to the state competition in Denver on April 27, where they will represent Delta County and the incredible academics happening here on the Western Slope. If you would like to help make this trip possible, please make checks out to Paonia K-8 (with ‘NHD’ in the memo) and send to PK8, C/O Meghan Casey, 846 Grand Ave., Paonia, CO 81428.

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Protect Your Kids from Cyber Bullying

As technology continues to play an important role in our daily lives, children are more and more connected online, increasing the risk of cyber bullying. As parents, how can we safeguard our children?

Maintain Open Communication

Talk to your kids and encourage them to share their online experiences, whether positive or negative.Regularly check in about online interactions and create a non-judgmental space where they feel comfortable discussing anything they may have encountered.

Teach Digital Citizenship

Model and inspire kids with values to navigate the online world responsibly. Discuss empathy and respect in online communication, just as you would in face-to-face interactions. Encourage them to take note of the content they encounter and distinguish between healthy online interactions and potentially harmful situations.

Effective Parental Controls & Settings

Get familiar with the privacy features on social media platforms, gaming networks, and other online spaces your child frequents. Use ElevateIQ to restrict sites to create clear boundaries and a safer digital environment by designating the devices your kids have access to.

Let ElevateIQ help you prevent cyber bullying and keep your kids’ online experience safe and happy.

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Talk to Kids About Electricity

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Start the conversation.

Do

Do find another tree to climb if an overhead power line is nearby.
Do fly kites or drones in an open area away from overhead power lines.
Do give plenty of space to a downed power line and tell an adult if you see one.

Do Not

Do not climb or sit on green boxes or other electrical equipment.
Do not use or set plugged-in items near water, including a sink, pool, or bathtub.
Do not go near or enter a substation to retrieve a toy or pet.
Do not try to free an object that is stuck in a power line.

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