While I certainly agree with you that CO can be inflexible in a number of areas, including perhaps this one (one year I missed Plat by under 100 miles but they wouldn't budge), I don't think you going to get satisfaction here even if you escalate, because they are going to cite program rules that require registration to qualify for DEQM.

With so many elites newly minted thanks to DEQM (it was possible in 2009 to fly 37,500 miles and qualify for plat) I think there is very little chance they will give in on this one.