Lineman Appreciation: Recognizing The People Who Power Our Community

Few have the privilege of seeing firsthand what it truly takes to keep the lights on for our members.

In April, and throughout the year, we recognize the skilled professionals who make that possible every day: our linemen. They work in the heat of summer, the cold of winter, and the uncertain hours of the night, performing essential tasks that often go unnoticed until power returns after going out.

When storms roll through our service territory and outages occur, many people experience the disruption. Our linemen, however, hear a call to action. They step away from family dinners, weekends, and holidays to respond in difficult conditions like high winds, snow, ice, and driving rain to restore service as safely and quickly as possible.

Recent wind storms have put our crews into action. While many of us shelter indoors, they are patrolling lines, clearing hazards, replacing damaged equipment, and restoring service one repair at a time. Their response is driven by disciplined training, hard-earned experience, precise coordination, and a shared commitment to serving our members and keeping each other safe.

Powering the places we call home is personal for our linemen. They are not restoring electricity to a system, they are restoring power to their own community. They live here. They raise families here. They understand that electricity is more than a convenience; it is essential to daily life.

Poudre Valley REA was built on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors, and that spirit extends beyond our linecrews. While linemen are often the most visible during outages, restoring power is a team effort. From dispatchers and system operators to engineers, members services, communications, and support staff, it takes the entire PVREA workforce pitching in together to respond, communicate, and keep us moving forward.

Just as important, I want to thank the families who stand behind our team. When the phone rings and employees are called to act, it’s their spouses, partners, children, and loved ones who carry the added responsibilities and uncertainties at home. Their support makes it possible for our workforce to stay focused on the job and return home safely.

On April 13, we celebrate Lineman Appreciation Day, but one day is hardly enough. Please join me in thanking our linemen, the entire PVREA team, and their families for the skill, sacrifice, and dedication that strengthen our cooperative and keep our communities powered.

If you’d like to thank them in person, I invite you to attend our Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 11. Details can be found on our Annual Meeting page.

To our entire employee team: Thank you for your professionalism, your readiness, and your commitment to the members we serve. We are proud of you, grateful for you, and committed to supporting you with the training, equipment, and culture of safety you deserve.