Capital Credits

Los créditos de capital son un beneficio valioso para los miembros de las cooperativas eléctricas

Ya sabe que es miembro, no cliente, de DMEA. También eres propietario de la cooperativa. DMEA es una corporación sin fines de lucro propiedad de los miembros a los que sirve. No obtenemos beneficios excesivos para los inversores y accionistas. Nuestras tarifas se fijan a un nivel que permita recuperar los costos de operación de la cooperativa, cumplir con las obligaciones de deuda y reinvertir en el sistema de distribución eléctrica. Los márgenes operativos se crean cuando nuestros ingresos superan todos nuestros gastos operativos durante el año.

Estos márgenes se devuelven a los miembros que compraron electricidad durante el año en que la obtuvieron. La cantidad que se le devuelva depende de la cantidad de capital que haya aportado a la cooperativa durante el año. En otras palabras, parte del dinero que pagó a la cooperativa por el servicio eléctrico durante el año se le devuelve como créditos de capital. La cantidad de capital que invierte cada miembro varía; por lo tanto, la cantidad de capital que se asigna a cada miembro varía.

Si bien los créditos de capital se asignan anualmente, esos créditos se retienen durante aproximadamente 25 años antes de pagarse a los miembros. La DMEA retiene los créditos de capital porque son una fuente importante de capital para la cooperativa. El DMEA utiliza este capital para mejorar la infraestructura eléctrica en aras de la confiabilidad y la expansión, así como para ayudar a mantener las tarifas bajas, porque el capital ayuda a reducir la cantidad de deuda necesaria para hacer crecer y mantener el sistema eléctrico.

¡Consulta nuestras preguntas frecuentes sobre créditos de capital a continuación para obtener más información!

Búsqueda de créditos de capital no reclamados

A lo largo de los años, el DMEA ha devuelto millones de dólares en pagos de créditos de capital a los miembros actuales y anteriores del DMEA. Lamentablemente, no siempre podemos encontrar a todos los que han obtenido un crédito de capital.

Ingresa las tres primeras letras de tu apellido a continuación para buscar cheques de crédito de capital no cobrados (no reclamados). Si encuentra su nombre en la lista, póngase en contacto con el DMEA en 877-687-3632.

Prepárese para proporcionar la siguiente información:

Su (s) dirección (es) de servicio anterior (es)
Las fechas aproximadas en las que estuvo en la (s) dirección (es) anterior (es)
Su número de seguro social

Preguntas frecuentes

Página de preguntas frecuentes

What are capital credits?

Capital credits reflect each member’s ownership in the cooperative. Any margins related to the sale of electric service remaining after expenses have been paid are returned to the cooperative’s members in proportion to their electrical use.

Allocation of Capital Credits

An allocation is your share of the cooperative’s margin for a particular year. Allocations are based on your electric use for that year.

Retirement of Capital Credits

After capital credits are allocated, DMEA retains them for 25 years, as the most significant source of equity for the cooperative. Equity is used to help meet the infrastructure needs of the co-op, such as system improvements for reliability and expansion. Capital credits help keep rates affordable by reducing the amount of funds that must be borrowed to grow and maintain DMEA’s existing electric system.

Annually, the board of directors reviews DMEA's financial health and may declare a retirement, whereby a portion of your capital credits are returned to you.

What’s the difference between an allocation and a retirement?

Allocations are a proportional credit made to each member's account, while a retirement is payment of capital credits.

Can my capital credit allocation be applied to my current energy bill?

No. Your capital credit allocations for this year are new credits allocated to a capital credit account maintained in your name. Allocations are used as the operating capital of DMEA. They are not available as cash-in-hand until they are retired and paid back to you.

What happens to my capital credits if I move and terminate service with DMEA?

Your capital credits belong to you! Your existing capital credit balance will be maintained in a capital credit account in your name until it is retired (paid) in full. It is important that you maintain a correct mailing address with DMEA so you receive future capital credit payments.

What if I pass away before my capital credits are paid out?

Your capital credits will transfer to your estate. If the capital credits were allocated to a joint account, and one spouse dies, the surviving member may receive payment of the discounted capital credits, after completing the necessary paperwork. If you are the sole member, the discounted capital credits will be paid to your estate, after the necessary paperwork is received from your estate’s executor.

What if my family member passed away before capital credits are paid out?

DMEA’s Board of Directors will allow capital credits to be retired early or paid back to the legal representative(s) of your family member’s estate. To claim them, a notarized affidavit is required, along with a copy of the death certificate and personal representative appointment documentation (if one was appointed). Please contact DMEA at 877-687-3632 to get this process started. Capital credits that are claimed early due to the death of a family member are returned at a discounted rate.

Why can’t my capital credit allocations be refunded to me all at once?

Capital credit funds are used for long term investments, like reliability improvements and grid maintenance projects. Capital credit funds help DMEA remain financially sound, thereby ensuring stable, reliable electric service for all members.

When do you pay (or retire) capital credits?

In general, DMEA retires capital credits 25 years after the initial allocation. Before declaring a retirement, DMEA’s management and board of directors review DMEA’s financial health.

How can I update my mailing address so I receive any future capital credit refunds?

Members can send updated mailing information via email to capital.credits@dmea.com or by calling 877-687-3632.

What does DMEA do with unclaimed capital credits?

DMEA seeks out former members who are due capital credits, even if they are no longer on our system. If the member does not claim them and the capital credits remain unclaimed for 3 years or more, they are transferred to a fund for charitable and educational purposes. This fund supports programs such as scholarships, sponsoring the Youth Tour to Washington D.C., and donations to Energy Outreach Colorado, an organization that helps people who are struggling with their energy bills.