Elevate Celebrates 10 Years of Connection & Community Impact

Ten years ago, a simple request from local cooperative members sparked an idea that would transform broadband access across Montrose and Delta counties.

This summer, Elevate is celebrating a decade of service, innovation, and community impact after officially launching on June 16, 2016.

What began as a member-driven vision has grown into one of the region's most successful fiber broadband networks, connecting more than 18,000 homes and businesses throughout Montrose and Delta counties.

"A decade ago, Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA) members told us they needed something better," said Jack Johnston, CEO of DMEA and President of Elevate. "Reliable, high-speed internet wasn't available in many of our communities, and our members challenged us to find a solution. As a cooperative, that's what we do—we listen, we innovate, and we work together to meet local needs."

"Because we're locally owned, our success stays right here at home," continued Johnston. "Every customer who chooses Elevate is supporting local jobs, local investments, and community initiatives that benefit our friends, neighbors, and future generations. That's a difference you won't find with any other internet provider in Montrose or Delta."

The roots of Elevate stretch back to Delta-Montrose Electric Association's (DMEA) investment in fiber infrastructure for its electric system. As members learned about the project, they began asking whether that same technology could be extended to homes and businesses. The cooperative's board embraced the challenge, and in late 2015 unanimously approved a phased fiber-to-the-home initiative that would become Elevate.

Building a fiber network from the ground up across rural Western Colorado was no small undertaking. In its earliest days, Elevate served just a handful of neighborhoods while thousands of members preregistered for service, eager for a faster and more reliable internet option.

Over the next decade, Elevate became far more than an internet provider.

The network helped local businesses compete in a digital economy. It enabled students to learn from home, supported telehealth services, connected remote workers to job opportunities, and provided critical infrastructure for communities across the region.

The cooperative's commitment to rural connectivity also attracted significant state and federal investment, helping bring nearly $60 million in grants to provide fiber internet to areas that many believed would never be served. Through grant funding and local investment, Elevate has expanded into some of the most remote parts of DMEA's service territory while maintaining its commitment to local ownership and local support.

Along the way, the company has earned recognition as the Best Internet Provider by readers of the Montrose Daily Press and Delta County Independent for four consecutive years—a reflection of the trust placed in Elevate by the communities it serves.

"While we're proud of what we've accomplished over the last 10 years, we're even more excited about what's ahead," Johnston said. "This story has never been about fiber. It's about people. It's about ensuring our communities have the tools they need to thrive, whether that's running a business, attending school, accessing healthcare, or simply staying connected with family and friends. We're grateful to every customer, employee, and member who helped make this journey possible."

As Elevate celebrates its 10th anniversary, the company remains focused on the same mission that inspired its creation: delivering world-class internet service while strengthening the communities it proudly calls home.