Rates
Focused on affordability, our rates have remained stable since 2019.
Proposed Rate Changes
After six years with no increases, DMEA is proposing updated electric rates starting January 1, 2026. The plan includes raising the monthly residential access charge from $29.50 to $37, while RES10 energy rates will stay the same.
“Despite more than a 25% inflation increase since 2019, DMEA has been able to keep rates stable for six years,” said CEO Jack Johnston. “Unfortunately, we’ve also seen continued rises in costs and must adjust rates to maintain reliability.”
Members can share feedback at the Rate Hearing on Dec. 16 at 6:00 p.m. at DMEA’s Montrose office or submit comments online on this page.
Residential Single Phase
| RES10 | Current | Proposed |
| Access Fee | $29.50 | $37.00 |
For a full summary of proposed rate changes, click below.
View Proposed Rate TariffsMember Comments
We want to hear from you. Please submit your comments and questions here.
Submit CommentsCan you explain the proposed rate tariff change?
DMEA is proposing changes to its rate tariff that will take effect January 1, 2026. The proposal includes increasing the residential single-phase access charge from $29.50 to $37, a fixed-price change of $7.50 per month. No change is being proposed to the residential energy rate (the per-kilowatt-hour cost of electricity). Other rate classes have proposed increases as well. View all proposed changes.
Why now?
We’ve kept rates steady for six years despite rising costs, but this proposed change is necessary to keep power reliable and cover increasing expenses for materials, equipment, and system maintenance.
How much would my bill increase if this is approved?
For the majority of our members (single-phase residential members), the access charge is proposed to increase by $7.50 per month per meter beginning January 1, 2026. That equates to approximately $.25 per day.
Proposed access fees and energy charges for other rate classes (small commercial single phase, large commercial, industrial class, irrigation class, and municipal single-phase) are available in the Proposed Rate Tariffs Document.
How does DMEA set rates?
As a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative, DMEA sets rates based on projected revenue requirements related to the cost of providing reliable electric service.
How can I comment on this proposed rate increase?
You can fill out an online form, email comments to rates@dmea.com, mail comments to DMEA c/o Rates 11925 6300 Road, Montrose CO 81401, or attend the rate hearing in person on Dec. 16 at 6:00 pm at 11925 6300 Road, Montrose.
When is this rate change proposed to take effect?
January 1, 2026
DMEA is a not-for-profit cooperative. Why are you considering raising rates?
As a not-for-profit cooperative, DMEA must cover business costs and produce small margins (profits) to maintain operations. These margins also allow the cooperative to continue investing in infrastructure improvements to maintain grid reliability. Excess margins above that are returned to members through capital credits.
Are there assistance programs for those who may struggle to pay their electric bills?
Please visit dmea.com/assistance-programs for options on bill assistance programs. Other ideas include:
- Use SmartHub to track energy usage
- Sign up for pre-pay/MyChoice
- DMEA is teaming up with local libraries to provide “how to save energy kits” including kill-a-watt meters available for loan in November
What else do I need to know?
DMEA remains a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative—our goal is reliability and service, not profit. The proposed rate tariff changes represent a careful, necessary step to keep pace with costs and maintain grid reliability.
Why did we wait so long for an increase?
DMEA is always aware of the impact of cost on our members. We never want to increase rates unless absolutely necessary.
Current Rates
Residential
| RES10 | |
| Access Fee Single Phase | $29.50 |
| Energy Charge | $0.10950 |
| Idle Service Charge | $14.75 |
| RES13 | |
| Access Fee Three Phase | $32.75 |
| Energy Charge | $0.10950 |
| Idle Service Charge | $16.38 |
Small Commercial
| SC20 | |
| Access Fee Single Phase | $30.00 |
| Energy Charge | $0.11100 |
| Idle Service Charge | $15.00 |
| SC23 | |
| Access Fee Three Phase | $40.75 |
| Energy Charge | $0.11100 |
| Idle Service Charge | $20.38 |
Large Commercial
| LC30 | |
| Access Fee | $150.00 |
| Energy Charge | $0.06250 |
| Member Demand Charge | $12.88 |
| Idle Service Charge | $75.00 |
General Municipal Service
| MUN60 | |
| Access Fee Single Phase | $30.50 |
| Energy Charge | $0.11840 |
| Idle Service Charge | $15.25 |
| MUN63 | |
| Access Fee Three Phase | $40.75 |
| Energy Charge | $0.11840 |
| Idle Service Charge | $20.38 |
Industrial Distribution (12kV)
| DMEA4 | |
| Access Fee | $150.00 |
| Energy Charge | $0.06544 |
| Member Demand Charge | $12.29 |
| Standby Demand Charge | $12.29 |
| Idle Service Charge | $75.00 |
Industrial Transmission (46kV and 115kV)
| DMEA | |
| Access Fee | $150.00 |
| Energy Charge | $0.07573 |
| Member Demand Charge | $2.80 |
| Idle Service Charge | $75.00 |
Agriculture Small Irrigation
| AGI20 | |
| Access Fee | $42.75 |
| Energy Charge | $0.08550 |
| Member Demand Charge | $4.80 |
| Idle Service Charge | $21.38 |
Agriculture Large Irrigation
| AGI30 | |
| Access Fee Three Phase | $150.00 |
| Energy Charge | $0.08870 |
| Member Demand Charge | $8.66 |
| Idle Service Charge | $75.00 |
Security Area Lighting
| MERCURY VAPOR | |
| Mercury Vapor 175W | $15.74 |
| Mercury Vapor 400W | $29.87 |
| HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM | |
| High Pressure Sodium 100W | $13.02 |
| High Pressure Sodium 250W | $22.43 |
Street Lighting (DMEA Owned)
| MERCURY VAPOR | |
| Mercury Vapor 100W | $12.82 |
| Mercury Vapor 175W | $17.94 |
| Mercury Vapor 250W | $24.19 |
| Mercury Vapor 400W | $34.01 |
| HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM | |
| High Pressure Sodium 70W | $11.88 |
| High Pressure Sodium 100W | $14.42 |
| High Pressure Sodium 150W | $17.89 |
| High Pressure Sodium 250W | $25.54 |
| LED | |
| LED < 70 | $7.21 |
| LED > 70 | $12.77 |
Net Metering
| RESNM | |
| Residential Energy Credit | Avoided Cost |
| SC20N / SC23N | |
| Small Commercial Energy Credit | Avoided Cost |
| LC30N | |
| Large Commercial Energy Credit | Avoided Cost |
| Municipal Energy Credit | Avoided Cost |
| DMEA4N / DMEAN | |
| Industrial Energy Credit | Avoided Cost |
CO-Z Loop Tariff
| GH2 - Horizontal Loop | |
| 2 Ton Loop | $14.26 |
| 3 Ton Loop | $21.39 |
| 4 Ton Loop | $28.52 |
| 5 Ton Loop | $35.65 |
| 6 Ton Loop | $42.78 |
| GV2 - Vertical Loop | |
| 2 Ton Loop | $29.56 |
| 3 Ton Loop | $44.34 |
| 4 Ton Loop | $59.12 |
| 5 Ton Loop | $73.90 |
| 6 Ton Loop | $88.68 |
Residential Geoexchange
| COZ1 / COZ22 | |
| Access Fee | $27.50 |
| Energy Charge | $0.09410 |
| Energy Charge 2nd Tier | $0.10450 |
Interconnected Generating Facilites
| GS01 | |
| Access Fee | $85.00 |
| Energy Charge Per kWh | $0.1030 |
| Member Demand Charge Per kWh | $3.25 |
Community Solar Array
| CSA01 | |
| Energy Charge Per kWh | $0.1095 |
Income Qualified Community Solar Array
| IQCSA1 | |
| Energy Charge Per kWh (credit) | $0.10950 |
| Energy Charge Per kWh | $0.0400 |
| Net Energy Credit Per kWH | $0.06950 |
Residential Time-Of-Use
On-Peak Hours: Monday - Saturday, 12:00PM (noon) - 10:00PM
| TOU11 - OFF11 | |
| Access Fee Single Phase | $29.50 |
| On-Peak Energy Charge | $0.17070 |
| Off-Peak Energy Charge | $0.06240 |
| Idle Service Charge | $14.75 |
| TOU13 - OFF13 | |
| Access Fee Three Phase | $32.75 |
| On-Peak Energy Charge | $0.17070 |
| Off-Peak Energy Charge | $0.06240 |
| Idle Service Charge | $16.38 |
Small Commercial Time-Of-Use
On-Peak Hours: Monday - Saturday, 12:00PM (noon) - 10:00PM
| SCT25 - OFF25 | |
| Access Fee Single Phase | $30.00 |
| On-Peak Energy Charge | $0.17070 |
| Off-Peak Energy Charge | $0.06380 |
| Idle Service Charge | $15.00 |
| SCT26 - OFF26 | |
| Access Fee Three Phase | $40.75 |
| On-Peak Energy Charge | $0.17070 |
| Off-Peak Energy Charge | $0.06380 |
| Idle Service Charge | $20.38 |
Fees
| Late Payment | $20.00 or 2% of amount past due (whichever is greater) |
| Nonsufficient Funds | $30.00 |
| Service Transfer | $30.00 |
| Collection Fee | $50.00 |
| Connect / Re-connect requiring a truck roll (during business hours) | $100.00 |
| Connect / Re-connect requiring a truck troll (after business hours) | $200.00 |
| Monthly Paper Statement Fee | $2.00 |
| Meter Tampering fee | $500.00 |
More on Time-Of-Use
On-peak hours are times of the day when demand for electricity is at its highest—like evening hours when you are home from work, children are home from school, and everyone is using energy to make dinner, watch television, and do homework. Since demand is high, the price of electricity is also higher during on-peak hours.
In contrast, off-peak hours are times of the day when demand for electricity is lower, such as the sleeping hours. And since demand for electricity is lower, the price is also lower.
If you can shift the majority of your electricity-intensive tasks to off peak hours you can most likely save money on this rate. You’ll need to postpone tasks, such as washing clothes, running motors, or running the dishwasher, so we encourage TOU members to install timers on appliances, water heaters, and heating equipment to achieve greater savings. Timers are available from your local electrician, electrical supplier, or hardware store.
For more information on DMEA's time-of-use rate or to sign up, call 877-687-3632.
More on Qualifying Facilities
View DMEA's Qualifying Facilities Rate Tariff for cogeneration and small power production ≤ 100 KW.
For federal information and guidelines regarding Qualifying Facilities visit the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) website.