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Report An Outage

Reporting your outage and signing up for text alerts

Thanks to LPEA's Automated Metering Infrastructure, we usually know you have an outage as soon as you do. As such, there is no special action you need to take to report your outage. You DO still need to report your outage if you have opted out of this infrastructure. Call us anytime, day or night, at (970) 247-5786, and select option "5" on the upfront menu to report.

We also recommend that all LPEA members sign up for LPEA's free Outage Texting Service (OTS), which provides a free and convenient way to stay connected during an outage via text message.

Here's how to get started:

  1. Text "TEXTLPEA" to 1-888-839-5732. If the message comes back that you are signed up, great! That means you are texting from a number listed on your LPEA account and you are signed up.
  2. If the message comes back that your number is not recognized, you will need to update your contact information in your LPEA account (see the "How do I update my mobile phone number?" section below).
  3. Once you are signed up, here are the prompts that work:

OUT            Reports an outage at the service address associated with the number
STATUS      Requests the STATUS of an outage
QUIT           Cancels member’s participation in outage text alerts
HELP          Provides information about LPEA’s text program and a number to call for support

Please expand the FAQ sections below for more detailed information about how this service works.

What is the Outage Texting Service (OTS)?

The Outage Texting Service (OTS) is a notification service that enables LPEA members to report power outages and receive outage restoration updates. The OTS program is available without charge to all residential LPEA members. Please note that standard message and data rates may apply through your carrier. 

How do I participate in the OTS?

First, list your mobile number(s) on your LPEA account (call us for help if you need to), then text TEXTLPEA to 1-888-839-5732. You'll also want to save this number to your phone’s contacts, so you can quickly report your outage when necessary. PLEASE NOTE: Standard text and data rates may apply, and it may take up to one day for changes to your account to take effect. 

How do I update my mobile phone number?

ONLINE - Update your LPEA account information 24/7 by logging in to your account on SmartHub or contacting LPEA directly at 1-888-839-5732. Phone numbers and email are listed in the "Notification" section, under manage contacts. Please note that mobile numbers may be listed in any phone number field, regardless of how that field is labeled. The text alert system will recognize a mobile number in any field formatted for a phone number.

EMAIL - Email csr@lpea.coop with up to three mobile numbers you'd like listed on your account. Be sure to provide the LPEA member’s name and account number in the email!

BY PHONE - Call us at 1-888-839-5732.

Prior to changing your mobile phone number, text QUIT to unregister your account. When you receive your new mobile phone number, be sure your LPEA account has been updated with the new mobile phone number, then text TEXTLPEA to 1-888-839-5732 to re-register your LPEA OTS account.

If you get a new phone and keep the same mobile phone number, you will continue to receive LPEA OTS messages. If you get a new mobile phone number you will need to be sure your LPEA account has been updated with the new mobile phone number, then text TEXTLPEA to 1-888-839-5732 to re-register your LPEA account. 

Note: You will not be added immediately. It may take up to a week before you can receive messages from our texting service. 

OTS keywords - a quick reference guide

The following are the only keywords allowed to communicate about an outage via text:

Please note, the number you text from must be registered with your LPEA account to receive texts about the outages that affect your address. 

TEXTLPEA    Opts member into the outage text alerts

OUT                Reports an outage at the service address associated with number

STATUS         Requests the STATUS of an outage

QUIT               Cancels member’s participation in outage text alerts

HELP              Provides information about LPEA’s text program & a number to call for support

How do I opt in/out of OTS?

Members are automatically opted in to participate with any mobile number they provide on their account. But opting out, and opting in on an additional or updated number is easy. Update and edit your phone numbers via LPEA's online account app SmartHub, or call us at 970-247-5786.

First, list your mobile number(s) on your LPEA account, then text TEXTLPEA to 1-888-839-5732. You'll also want to save this number to your phone’s contacts, so you can quickly report your outage when necessary. PLEASE NOTE: Standard text and data rates may apply, and it may take up to one day for changes to your account to take effect.

To cancel your participation in LPEA’s OTS program, text QUIT to 1-888-839-5732. You will receive confirmation that you will no longer receive texts from La Plata Electric Association.

Can my spouse and I both get alerts about our LPEA account on each of our mobile phones?

Yes, you may register up to three mobile phone numbers to receive OTS alerts from the same account.

I have accounts at multiple locations. Can I get OTS alerts about each one at my mobile number?

You may have one number associated with up to four locations. If you have five or more locations, you’ll be asked to call to report your outage. 

I reported an outage and texted STATUS, but the OTS message said there was no outage for my account. Why is this happening?

It can take a few minutes before your outage is entered into our system. Please wait a few minutes and then text STATUS again. If you get another OTS message that says there is no outage, please text OUT again to ensure that we enter your outage into our database. 

I texted OUT several hours ago, but I haven’t received a STATUS update. What’s going on with OTS?

In most cases, in order to receive a STATUS update, you must text STATUS to 1-888-839-5732. LPEA will only push a STATUS notification to members if a significant event occurs that will impact restoration efforts. You should receive a text notification from LPEA when power has been restored.

During major storm events or other times when there is a high volume of outages, STATUS updates may not be available. Now what?

LPEA will instead communicate about outage restoration progress through our social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages with LPEA’s website www.lpea.coop providing additional outage information. LPEA will provide additional outage information to more traditional channels, including local newspaper, radio and TV.

My power came back on overnight, but I didn’t receive a message that it had been restored. Why?

As a courtesy to our LPEA members, automated text updates are disabled between 8 PM and 8 AM.

My neighbor watches my house when I travel. Can I have alerts sent to her phone?

Yes, you may register up to three mobile phone numbers to receive alerts from the same account. Please don’t sign up someone to receive alerts from your address without their permission.

My mother is elderly and lives alone. Can I get text notifications from her account?

Yes, with the account holder’s authorization, you can register your number to receive alerts for their account. 

My neighbor’s power is out, but they are not registered for LPEA’s OTS program. Can I report the outage for them via text?

No. You or your neighbor should call LPEA at 1-888-839-5732 to report the outage. You may only report an outage via text message for the locations associated with your mobile phone. Your neighbor may register for the program by texting TEXTLPEA to 1-888-839-5732. Standard message and data rates may apply.

Why did the text message come out-of-order?

We send messages to you in order, but your cell phone carrier does not guarantee that messages will be delivered in order. If you get two messages in a row, you may have to scroll up to see both messages on your mobile phone’s screen. 

Why does the OTS system say, “There was a problem with your message?”

If you have a signature line automatically set up for your outgoing messages, this could prevent the system from understanding your message. You may have misspelled a word. There could be a temporary service interruption. Please wait a few minutes and try again.

Why are some of the numbers/words in the message highlighted or underlined?

In text messages, highlighted or underlined text is a hyperlink that you can touch, such as a website or phone number that can automatically be dialed. 

Why am I getting multiple alerts on my cell phone?

Your cell phone may be registered to receive messages from more than one LPEA account. You will get additional alerts if LPEA sends a significant STATUS alert or if power has been restored. 

What if I received a text message stating my power has been restored, but my lights are still not coming on?

Please check the circuit breaker at your property. If power is still not restored after checking the breaker, either text OUT or call 1-888-839-5732 to re-report the outage. There may be additional damage at your location that LPEA was not previously aware of when making the original repairs.

How much does texting cost?

Text alerts are offered at no charge by LPEA. However, your cell phone provider may bill you for text messages received and sent with this service. LPEA is not responsible for these charges. Before using, check with your cell phone service provider for text message costs. 

LPEA cannot guarantee delivery of text messages. Your cell phone wireless carrier is responsible for transmitting text messages. Text message delivery may be limited by your cell phone plan or your provider’s wireless coverage area. From time to time, the texting system may be unavailable and text messages cannot be sent by us. This could result in undelivered or untimely text messages.

What happens if I move?

If you move to another location outside of LPEA’s system, text QUIT from your current mobile phone number to opt out of the program. Otherwise, your number will be removed from our database within three days. If you remain an LPEA member, but move to another location, please re-enroll in the LPEA OTS program. First, text QUIT to 1-888-839-5732, then text TEXTLPEA to 1-888-839-5732 to re-register your LPEA account with the new location.

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Customer Service

970.247.5786 or 888.839.5732

Business Hours

Durango: Mon – Thu, 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

45 Stewart St., Durango, CO 81303

Pagosa Springs: Mon – Thu, 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

603 S 8th St., Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

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©2022 La Plata Electric Association. A Touchstone Energy Cooperative

  • About Us
    • ABOUT LPEA
      • Careers at LPEA
      • Your Co-op
      • LPEA Strategy
      • LPEA Calendar of Events
    • POLICIES & REGULATIONS
      • LPEA Policies and Bylaws
    • BOARD OF DIRECTORS
      • Board of Directors' Meetings & Resources
      • Annual Meeting
      • Meet the Board of Directors
      • Board of Directors Committees
      • LPEA Board Elections
  • Community
    • COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
      • Non-Profit Grant Programs
      • Community Sponsorships
      • "Round Up" Your Bill
      • Energy Outreach Colorado
      • Scholarships
  • Electric Services
    • BILLING
      • Pay Your Bill
      • Electric Energy Rates
      • Capital Credits
      • On Bill Financing Program
      • SmartHub Application
    • RESIDENTIAL SERVICE
      • Forms & Applications
      • AMI Meter Information
      • Time-of-Use Rate
      • Undergound Utility Line Location
      • Building Near Powerlines
    • COMMERCIAL SERVICE
      • Commercial Service
    • Construction Projects
      • Construction Projects
  • Member Programs
    • MEMBER PROGRAMS
      • Rebates
      • Green Power
      • Area Light Rental
    • Beneficial Electrification
      • Electrify and Save
    • LOCAL RENEWABLE GENERATION
      • Member Solar
      • Qualified Solar Installers
    • ENERGY EFFICIENCY
      • Conservation Tips
      • Energy Efficiency Tools
  • Safety
    • Electric Safety Resources
    • Electric Safety Demonstration
  • News & Outage Center
    • News Center
    • Outage Center
    • LPEA Fact Checker
  • Contact Us