We’re thrilled to announce that the Animas River Surfers, our local nonprofit dedicated to building a vibrant, inclusive river-surfing community in Durango, has been awarded a Round Up Contribution grant from the La Plata Electric Association (LPEA). This support is more than a financial boost — it’s a vote of confidence in our mission to grow river sports, engage youth, and safeguard access to the Animas River for generations to come.
Why This Grant Matters
The Animas River Surfers’ work is deeply rooted in community. We don’t just surf — we build connections. Through outreach, environmental stewardship, river clean-ups, and youth mentoring, we aim to strengthen Durango’s river culture. One of our most ambitious goals is to study the feasibility of a low-water surf wave on the Animas, opening up more opportunities for river recreation even in the shoulder seasons.
The funds from LPEA’s grant will help support these core efforts, giving us critical resources to plan, execute, and dream bigger.
What Is the LPEA Round-Up Foundation?
The LPEA Round Up Foundation is a charitable fund powered by LPEA members who voluntarily “round up” their electric bills to the next dollar each month. On average, rounding up costs a member about $7 per year, but collectively, those small contributions make a big impact.
Since the program began in the mid-1990s, it has distributed over $1.5 million in local grants, supporting community nonprofits across La Plata and Archuleta counties. A volunteer board meets monthly to review applications, awarding grants typically ranging from $500 to $3,000.
The Power of Community Giving
The beauty of the Round Up program is in its simplicity — small change, big impact. Those few extra cents per bill translate into meaningful support for local organizations. In 2024 alone, the Round Up Foundation distributed over $175,000 to 50 nonprofits, thanks to contributions from more than 16,000 LPEA members.
This grant from LPEA is especially meaningful for the Animas River Surfers because it reflects not just financial backing, but a community coming together. The surf wave vision, youth engagement, and river stewardship all align with the Foundation’s mission to improve quality of life locally.
How You Can Help (and Be Part of This!)
If you’re an LPEA member, here’s how you can support more efforts like ours:
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Sign up to Round Up your electric bill each month.
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Choose Round Up Plus to add extra dollars to your contribution.
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Spread the word to family and friends — every participant makes a difference.
Your generosity truly amplifies our ability to grow the Animas River Surfers’ impact — and helps make the river more accessible, sustainable, and alive for all.
Thank you, LPEA members, for making this possible. Your “pennies” are powering real change.