Pay Your La Plata Electric Association Bill Online and by Phone

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If you are a La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) member and need to pay your electric bill now, you have several easy ways to do it—online, over the phone, by mail, or in person. You might be wondering whether to use SmartHub, the Pay Now (no‑login) option, an automated phone payment, or a PrePay plan if you want more control over your usage.

This updated guide uses the latest information from lpea.coop to explain all of LPEA’s official bill pay options and support programs. It covers SmartHub, Pay Now, PrePay, Auto Pay, automated phone payments, mail, in‑person payments, and what to do if you have a past‑due bill and need payment plans, budget billing, or assistance.

Step-by-Step: How to Pay Your La Plata Electric Association Bill

LPEA gives members multiple ways to pay: online with SmartHub, Pay Now (no login), Auto Pay, PrePay, automated phone payments, mail, online banking through your own bank, and in‑person at LPEA offices. They also have clear policies on late payments and programs that can help if you are behind.

Pay Online with SmartHub (Best Overall Option)

SmartHub is LPEA’s main online portal and “one‑stop shop” for your account. You can pay your bill, see your energy usage, and manage programs all in one place.

Where to find it

  • From How to Pay Your LPEA Bill or Pay Your LPEA Bill, click the SmartHub link or Sign in & Pay.
  • Or go directly to the SmartHub login: https://lpea.smarthub.coop.​

What you can do in SmartHub

  • Pay your bill by credit card or direct debit from your bank account.
  • Arrange to receive your bill via email (paperless billing).
  • View current and past energy use and account history.
  • Opt into various LPEA programs and report service issues.

Pros

  • Quick, secure, convenient, and free; LPEA explicitly recommends SmartHub as its official payment tool.
  • Combines payments, usage data, notifications, and program enrollment in one place.

Cons

  • Requires an online registration the first time (you can call LPEA for support if you need help).

Pay Now: One‑Time Online Payment (No Login Required)

If you do not want to log into SmartHub, LPEA offers a Pay Now one‑time payment option.

Where to find it

  • On the How to Pay Your LPEA Bill page, click the button to pay your bill without logging on to the SmartHub portal.​
  • This takes you to a Pay Now application that lets you access your account with your account number and last name/business name.

What you need

  • Your LPEA account number from your paper bill.

Pros

  • No SmartHub login or password required.
  • Good for quick one‑time payments or if you are using a shared computer.

Cons

  • Fewer features than SmartHub (no full history or program management).

Auto Pay (Automatic Bank or Card Payments)

LPEA’s Bill Pay Programs page includes Auto Pay, which automatically pays your bill each month from your bank account or card.​

How Auto Pay works

  • You enroll through SmartHub or the Bill Pay Programs section, linking your bank account or card.
  • Your bill is automatically paid each month, so you do not have to remember due dates.​

Important details

  • Auto Pay begins with your next bill; any existing past‑due balance still needs to be paid separately.​
  • Do not sign up for Auto Pay if you already have a future payment scheduled; call LPEA at 970‑247‑5786 if you want to choose your monthly payment date.

Pros

  • Helps you avoid late fees and missed payments.​
  • Works with both bank account and card.​

Cons

  • You must ensure enough funds are available on draft day.

PrePay (Pay‑As‑You‑Go Option)

LPEA offers PrePay accounts for members who want to pay upfront for their electricity use and avoid monthly bills.

How PrePay works

  • You load money onto your account and LPEA deducts usage as you go.
  • Text and/or email notifications alert you when your balance is low and needs to be recharged.

To qualify, members must:

  • Have an automated meter installed on their service.
  • Obtain verbal consent from the landlord before establishing PrePay for a tenant if a standing order exists on the account.
  • Pay a non‑refundable start‑up fee of $25–$65.

Pros

  • No traditional monthly bill; you pay ahead and monitor usage more closely.
  • Helpful if you want tight control over your budget and consumption.

Cons

  • Requires active monitoring and regular recharging to avoid interruption.

Pay by Phone (Automated System)

You can pay your LPEA bill over the phone using their automated payment system.

Phone payment numbers

  • Automated payment line: (888) 836‑2029 – available any day, at any time.​
  • Main LPEA number: (970) 247‑5786 (select Option 3 to pay your bill via automated services).​

Payment methods

  • Debit and credit cards are accepted on the automated system.​

Fraud alert

  • LPEA states that due to data security laws, they are not allowed, and will never request, to take your payment details in person over the phone.​
  • Always use the automated system, not giving card numbers directly to a live representative.​

Pros

  • 24/7 convenience via the automated line.​
  • Helpful when you need to pay quickly without internet access.

Cons

  • Only card payments are accepted; no cash or checks by phone.

Pay by Mail

You can still pay your LPEA bill by mailing in a check or money order.

How it works

  • LPEA sends you a paper statement each month unless you sign up for paperless billing.
  • Use the pre‑addressed envelope included with your bill to mail your payment back.

Pros

  • Simple option if you prefer traditional bills and checks.

Cons

  • Mail delays can cause late payments if the check is sent too close to the due date.

Pay In Person and Other Options

LPEA members can also pay their bill in person or through other methods listed on LPEA’s site.

In‑person payments

  • Visit an LPEA office (for example, at 45 Stewart St, Durango, CO 81303) during business hours to pay in person and speak with member services.

Online banking through your bank

  • You can pay via your bank’s online bill pay by setting up La Plata Electric Association as a payee using your account number and LPEA’s billing address from your statement.

Third‑party payment sites

  • Sites like doxo list LPEA as a biller and let you pay with various methods.​
  • LPEA’s pages include a fraud alert and explicitly state that they only recommend using SmartHub (and their official tools) due to security and speed concerns.

Pros

  • Extra flexibility if you already use online banking.

Cons

  • Third‑party services can introduce delays or extra fees; LPEA urges members to stick with official payment tools like SmartHub.

Tips and Extra Help for La Plata Electric Members

These tips focus on guest/one‑time payments, phone options, office/contact details, and arrangements or assistance if you have a past‑due bill.

Use Pay Now for Quick One‑Time Payments

If you just need to pay your bill once and do not want to create a full SmartHub login, use the Pay Now button on the “How to Pay Your LPEA Bill” page. You only need your account number, and you can make a secure one‑time payment without registration—ideal for quick payments or shared devices.

Save LPEA’s Phone Numbers for Payments and Support

Store these key numbers in your phone:

  • Automated payments: (888) 836‑2029 – 24/7 automated card payments.​
  • Member services: (970) 247‑5786 – representatives available 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday–Thursday, with automated services available 24/7.​

Use the automated line for fast bill pay and call member services if you need help, making sure you never give card details directly to a person due to LPEA’s security rules.

Call Early if You Have a Past‑Due Bill or Disconnection Notice

LPEA has a dedicated page on Late Payments and Bill Pay Assistance and encourages members who are having trouble paying to call (970) 247‑5786. Their policy is:

  • A bill is past due if not paid by the due date printed on the bill.
  • If payment is not received three days before the next billing date, a reminder/disconnect notice is mailed for the first two occurrences in a year.
  • A third notice triggers a disconnect notice and a late fee of $4 or 1.75% of the past due balance, whichever is greater.
  • If payment is not received by the disconnection‑notice due date, service will be terminated and extra charges apply to restore service.

Ask About Bill Pay Programs and Budget Billing

Beyond PrePay and Auto Pay, LPEA’s Bill Pay Programs page lists options like consolidated billing if you have multiple service accounts and budget‑style programs that can make payments more predictable. Calling (970) 247‑5786 lets you find out whether you qualify and which combination of programs best fits your situation.

Be Careful With Third‑Party Payment Sites

While sites like doxo will accept payments to LPEA, LPEA clearly warns members and only recommends SmartHub and official tools. Third‑party payments may involve extra fees and delays, and your account is only credited when LPEA actually receives the funds, so they are not ideal when you are close to your due date or facing disconnection.

FAQs

How can I pay my LPEA bill online?

You can pay online through SmartHub by going to LPEA’s How to Pay Your LPEA Bill or Pay Your LPEA Bill pages and clicking the SmartHub link or Sign in & Pay. Once registered, you can arrange to receive your bill via email, pay using a credit card or direct debit from your bank, view your account history, and examine your current and past energy use.

Is there a way to pay my LPEA bill online without logging in?

Yes. Use the Pay Now option on the “How to Pay Your LPEA Bill” page to pay your bill without logging into SmartHub. You will need your account number from your paper bill, and this one‑time payment option lets you pay quickly without setting up a full online account.

How do I pay my La Plata Electric bill by phone?

You can pay by phone using LPEA’s automated payment system by calling (888) 836‑2029, available any day, at any time. Debit and credit cards are accepted, but, due to data security laws, LPEA will not take your card information directly over the phone through a live representative, so always use the automated system for card payments.​

Can I pay my LPEA bill through my bank or by mail?

Yes. LPEA sends a paper statement with a pre‑addressed return envelope each month unless you choose paperless billing. You can mail a check or use your bank’s online bill pay by adding La Plata Electric Association as a payee and including your account number; just be sure to schedule these payments early enough so they reach LPEA before your due date.

What should I do if I cannot afford my LPEA bill this month?

If you are having trouble paying your bill, LPEA urges you to call (970) 247‑5786 as soon as possible. They can evaluate your situation and suggest payment plans, budget billing options, or rate changes, and can also refer you to local agencies that have funds available for utility bill assistance, such as the Veterans Relief Committee or other community programs.

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