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07/07/2022 - 10:12 AM
Title Late Summer Message from Mark A. Gabriel /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Board/07_Board_July2021.jpg?itok=vga4Sgqp Thursday | July 7, 2022 Card Teaser A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer. Incumbency in business has a rich history of companies that failed to plan for the future, even as the facts before them told a different story. It is why planning at United Power resulted in Our Cooperative Roadmap, preparing to continue to support our members with a reliable, resilient, and affordable distribution system. Most of us can remember a time when almost every community had a Blockbuster video store. At its height, there were 9,000 brick and mortar Blockbuster stores. Then, along came Netflix, with a by-mail rental model. Seeing the future of an increasing digital society, Netflix shifted its strategy to online entertainment and moved a step further by creating its own content. Blockbuster’s response to the evolving Netflix model was to eliminate late fees on its DVD and VCR tape rentals. One company thrived and the other is no longer in business. In the electric utility world, a similar transition is taking place with more of our members adding solar rooftops (nearly 9,000 thus far), home battery storage (110), electric vehicles (5,200), and dozens of other technologies from Alexa to smart thermostats. More than 700 members have added net metering to date in 2022. This is why United Power embraces technologies and is evolving to become a Distribution System Operator (DSO), which will help facilitate the revolution happening across our member base. Becoming a DSO will allow us to work with our members in controlling power and costs. It is why our team of energy experts is available to answer questions in an unbiased and neutral manner, and it is why we continue developing programs that help you manage your energy costs. I recently had the opportunity to visit with several of our largest members to listen and understand the critical changes they are facing; how their corporate goals now involve environment, social, and governance requirements; and the criticality of reliable power to keep their businesses operating. Their goals align perfectly with those of United Power as we are “Transforming the Future.” A big part of acting on the changes in the business is our decision to find a new power supply – one that is more cost effective, less carbon intensive, and keeps dollars in our communities. We held our Power Supply Forum on June 7 where we engaged our members in a conversation about the change which will take effect May 1, 2024. Also, as of June 1, we officially became a member of the Southwest Power Pool, which provides energy market services in Colorado and will allow us to eventually use the collective power as a DSO to better manage the cost of power. In today’s economic environment we are all concerned with the rising cost of everything. As your cooperative, United Power will continue to find ways to lower costs while meeting member needs. We are there for you in offering energy efficiency audits, recommendations on weatherization, advice on adding solar or storage, as well as piloting programs for in-home electric vehicle charging and battery storage. Please contact us for any of your home or business needs. At United Power, we are working hard to be prepared for the changing demands of our members. We have a great tradition of excellence, and I want every member to feel empowered to reach out to me and the United Power staff at any time. I welcome the opportunity to meet you where you are; do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns. Have a safe and healthy summer.05/04/2020 - 03:43 PM
Title Lawsuit Alleges Tri-State G&T Conspired to Mislead Cooperatives /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Touchstone_Energy_PowerLines_143.jpg?itok=TSmWi5we Monday | May 4, 2020 Card Teaser United Power lawsuit outlines impact of the fraudulent actions of its power supplier. Lawsuit Alleges Tri-State Generation and Transmission Conspired to Mislead Cooperative Members United Power Lawsuit Outlines Impact of Fraudulent Actions of Power Supplier Brighton, CO – United Power today filed a lawsuit in Adams County District Court alleging that their power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission recruited three non-utility entities as part of a conspiracy to defraud United Power and try to hold it (and possibly other cooperative members) captive in expensive and restrictive power contracts. Court documents outline how the years-long scheme intentionally misled members and ultimately caused financial harm to United Power and the almost 95,000 meters it serves. Named along with Tri-State in the lawsuit are three non-utility entities – MIECO, Inc., Olson’s Greenhouses of Colorado, LLC, and Ellgen Ranch Company - whom Tri-State convinced to orchestrate the scheme designed to prevent the Colorado PUC from deciding a fair exit charge for United Power. “We have only recently been made aware of these unacceptable transgressions at Tri-State. On behalf of the board and staff of United Power, I can only say that I am dismayed and disappointed by the actions of Tri-State’s staff and these non-utility entities who worked together to intentionally mislead United Power and any other members who were acting in good faith during this time,” stated Bryant Robbins, Acting CEO. “We have been transparent and ethical in our dealings, and we think it’s important that Tri-State and these other entities answer for their unethical behavior.” Documents filed in District Court outline the years-long scheme to fraudulently direct the actions of United Power and other members to accept certain bylaw changes with the hidden agenda of allowing the admission of the three non-utility entities, in direct conflict with both State law and Tri-State’s own bylaws. United Power supported these bylaw changes with the belief that such changes would allow it to pursue a more flexible power supply arrangement with Tri-State. However, Tri-State suspended the use of the newly created class of membership immediately after utilizing the amended bylaw to allow these non-utility entities to join the membership under false pretenses. The suit contends that Tri-State directed the scheme that used the non-utility entities in an effort to secure FERC oversight and effectively eliminate the ability of the Colorado PUC to resolve matters such as exit fees and other potential disputes. “United Power worked within the framework of the cooperative business model, intent on securing a solution that would support our sister cooperatives and provide some financial relief for our members while allowing us to stay within the Tri-State family,” stated Robbins. “Unfortunately, Tri-State was working behind the scenes with ulterior motives taking measures that would essentially handcuff United Power to the current restrictive contract.” Two cooperatives have already left or are in the process of leaving the Westminster-based generation cooperative – New Mexico-based Kit Carson in 2016 and Delta-Montrose Electric Association pending final approval to leave in 2020 – both cited similar concerns with power supply flexibility and pricing in their exits. United Power had been working to secure a fair and just exit charge from Tri-State, but ultimately filed a case with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission when they were unable to make progress in negotiations with Tri-State. Since that time, Tri-State has continued to resist negotiations, all the while working behind the scenes to defraud the membership through a secret initiative intended to eventually prevent United Power from exiting Tri-State. “We strongly believe the evidence supports why it has become very difficult to trust the intentions of our power supplier,” stated Robbins. “In filing this case, we hope that Tri-State and the three non-utility entities will have to answer for their ongoing deception.” United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative delivering electricity to nearly 95,000 meters at homes, business, and farms in Colorado's north central front range. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media at facebook.com/unitedpower or twitter.com/unitedpowercoop. ###05/06/2021 - 10:02 AM
Title Leadership Testifies in Support of Regional Transmission Legislation /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/images/Images_News/Colorado_Capitol.jpg?itok=Hd-sgN1_ Thursday | May 6, 2021 Card Teaser The West is on the precipice of great change in electric generation and transmission. United Power President and CEO Mark A. Gabriel testified before the House Energy and Environment Committee in favor of Senate Bill 21-072 requiring all utilities to join organized wholesale markets. “The West is on the precipice of great change in electric generation and transmission,” Gabriel said, “And the movement to cleaner sources of generation will require a full market.” He told the committee that while the move to energy imbalance services such as those provided by the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) in its Western Energy Imbalance Service (WEIS) and California Independent System Operator’s Energy Imbalance Service (EIM) is a good start, neither provides the benefit of a true regional transmission organization with day-ahead markets. “Markets provide two functions, acting as the air traffic controller and facilitating financial transactions,” Gabriel explained. “They function best when crossing time and weather zones.” Named to lead United Power in March, Gabriel was the Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Western Area Power Administration. He moved WAPA into the full market in SPP for states in the Upper Great Plains in 2015 that resulted in a $145 million savings for its utility customers. In February, WAPA moved its Rocky Mountain Region and Colorado River Storage Project Regions into the SPP WEIS imbalance Service and in March the Sierra Nevada Region into the CALISO EIM. “Flexibility in generation supply is best supported by fully operational markets,” he said. In addition, Gabriel pointed out that the Bill’s timeframe of 2030 may be overtaken by events. The United Power Board of Directors voted to support SB21-072 when it was introduced earlier this year by primary sponsor Senator Chris Hansen. SB-72 is a lengthy, complex bill which creates statutory language to require investor-owned utilities to join a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) by 2030, expedites electric transmission line approval processes at the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and creates the Colorado Electric Transmission Authority (CETA) to assist in financing construction or purchase of transmission projects. After passing through two committee hearings and floor votes in the Senate, SB 21-072 passed in the House Energy and Environment Committee on a 11-2 vote. Audio of Mark A. Gabriel’s testimony can be found here. Mr. Gabriel speaks at 4:57 pm.01/23/2019 - 12:40 PM
Title Leading the Way in Renewable Power /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Oct2018_NL_Solar.png?itok=Au4aIPJq Monday | October 1, 2018 Card Teaser From energizing Colorado’s first community solar field to implementing an innovative methane recapture project, United Power has been at the forefront of providing renewable energy options to our members. From energizing Colorado’s first community solar field to implementing an innovative methane recapture project, United Power has been at the forefront of providing renewable energy options to our members. Today, our renewable generation projects produce enough energy to power more than 14,000 homes annually. Thanks to the continued development of our renewable programs and support from our dedicated members, the cooperative has become a statewide and national leader in renewable integration. In a recent survey, United Power ranked among the top utilities in solar accumulation in the country. Each year, the Smart Electric Power Association (SEPA) surveys data gathered from more than 440 utilities around the country and releases a report showing how they stack up against each other. The data provides a snapshot of how cooperatives like United Power compare to each other, as well as larger investor-owned utilities. With four energized utility scale solar farms and nearly 3,000 rooftop systems active in our territory, United Power ranked 44th in solar capacity and 48th in accumulated solar energy against all utilities across the country in 2017. Only Xcel Energy (Public Service Co.) edged out the cooperative in the state. Among cooperatives nationwide, United Power fared even better. In 2017, we ranked 2nd in connected solar and finished the year 5th in cumulative solar installations. Over the years, we’ve continued to grow and develop our renewable programs, leading the way among all 43 cooperatives in Tri-State Generation & Transmission’s four-state region. United Power recognizes the future of electrical generation will be an “all of the above” strategy of investing in a variety of generation sources, and responding to the wants and needs of our membership. Earlier this year, the cooperative announced plans to purchase two Tesla Battery Storage Systems in partnership with SoCore Energy, which will help us lower wholesale demand costs and potentially bring more renewable generation onto the system.03/18/2025 - 02:02 PM
Title LEGAL NOTICE: Annual Meeting of Members /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/images/BallotBox_Suit.jpg?h=d275fdd8&itok=sQF8SCcN Tuesday | March 18, 2025 Card Teaser The Annual Meeting of Members of United Power will be held Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Waymire Dome at the Riverdale Regional Park. Legal Notice of Annual Meeting of Members The Annual Meeting of Members of UNITED POWER, INC. will be held Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Waymire Dome at the Riverdale Regional Park, located at 9755 Henderson Road in Brighton, Colorado. Members can attend in-person or via livestream. Instructions for participating in the meeting virtually can be found on the cooperative’s website at www.unitedpower.com. The meeting will be for the purposes of electing directors, considering and approving reports for the prior fiscal year, and transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting. This year there are elections in the following districts: North, Central, and South for four-year terms. The candidates nominated by petition are Ursula J. Morgan (incumbent) in the North District; Keith Alquist (incumbent) in the Central District; and Ryan Keefer and Beth Martin (incumbent) in the South District. All Members are entitled to cast a vote for the director positions of every district, regardless of the district where the Member is domiciled. Additional information including the date and time of our Meet the Candidates forum, how to cast a ballot, and deadlines for voting can be found at https://www.unitedpower.com/annual-meeting. UNITED POWER, INC. By: /s/Steven Whiteside, Secretary10/17/2023 - 09:49 AM
LEGAL NOTICE: Attempt to Settle Unclaimed Capital Credit Retirements Wednesday | October 30, 2024 From October 26, 2023 through April 30, 2024, United Power will make a final attempt to pay the unclaimed retirements of capital credits to its former members. Read more >04/25/2024 - 10:53 AM
LEGAL NOTICE: Change in the Rates, Rules, & Regulations Tariffs Friday | April 26, 2024 The Board of Directors has proposed the following changes to United Power's rate tariffs. Read more >10/25/2023 - 10:48 PM
Title LEGAL NOTICE: Change in the Rates, Rules, & Regulations Tariffs /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Jan2019_NL_Rates.png?h=45932144&itok=KW7a9GOa Friday | October 27, 2023 Card Teaser The Board of Directors has proposed the following changes to United Power's rate tariffs. NOTICE OF CHANGE IN THE RATES, RULES, AND REGULATIONS TARIFFS OF UNITED POWER, INC. DATE OF NOTICE: October 27, 2023 You are hereby notified that UNITED POWER, INC. (United Power) proposes to make changes to several of its rate tariff schedules to become effective for energy usage on or after Jan. 1, 2024 (billings issued after Feb. 1, 2024*). An increase is necessary for all rate classes due to increased wholesale power supply costs and increased distribution expenses since the last increase effective Jan. 1, 2020. There will be a 9% increase to Industrial Service Substation or Transmission Service (ITD4) and a 9.1% increase to Industrial Service Substation or Transmission Service (ITD1). There will be a 9.2% increase to Industrial Service Substation or Transmission Service (ITD2) and 9.3% increase to Small Industrial Primary (SIP1). The Residential (R1) rate class, Large Commercial Coincidental Peak Secondary Demand (CPS1), and the Industrial Service Substation or Transmission Service (ITD3) will have a rate increase of 9.5%. There will be a 9.6% increase to Small Commercial (C1), Large Commercial Secondary Demand Service (ISD1), Large Commercial Coincidental Peak Primary Demand (CPP1), and a 9.8% increase to Residential On-Peak Demand Time-of-Use Service rate (RDP1). The Residential Time of Use (RTD1), Residential Smart Choice (RD1), Small Commercial Time of Use (CTD1), and Irrigation (IRR2) rates will have an increase of 9.9%. The non-metered light service (L2) will have an increase of 7.8%. The increase to rates R1, RTD1, RDP1, RD1, C1, CTD1, IRR2, ISD1, SIP1, IPD1, ITD1, ITD2, ITD3, and ITD4 will include a wholesale power cost adjustment (PCA) to the energy usage and an increase in the demand charge. The PCA for each rate will be listed on the PCA rate tariff (7.1), and the change in demand will be listed on each applicable rate tariff. Net Metering Service will reflect an increase in the rated capacity limit from 120% to 200% of annual energy usage, and the Electric Vehicle Charges under the pilot program will be updated to an established program. In addition to rate tariff changes, there are several modifications to update and reflect current business practices in the Rules and Regulations. These updates are to become effective on or after Jan. 1, 2024. Staff has reviewed the current Rules and Regulations tariffs. Business units across the organization were involved in the review. The following main areas have been identified needing revisions or updating: (1) incorporating Regulatory Policy, (2) incorporating Line Extension Policy, (3) updates to Service Connection and Line Extension Fee Schedule, (4) formatting and grammatical updates for ease of use, consistency, and clarity, and (5) updates for Current Business Practices to reflect technological changes, system changes, and efficiencies. The present and proposed tariff provisions are available for examination at the Coal Creek Branch Office, located at 5 Gross Dam Road, Golden, Colorado; the headquarters office located at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton, Colorado, and the Carbon Valley Branch office at 9586 E. I-25 Frontage Road, Longmont, Colorado. Anyone who desires to comment about the proposed changes shall file either an informal complaint or a formal complaint with United Power at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton, Colorado 80603 at least 10 days before the proposed effective date. An informal complaint shall be in writing and shall contain such facts and other information to adequately state the reason(s) for the complaint. An informal complaint shall be considered by United Power, in regard to the proposed tariff changes, but will not require that a hearing be held. Anyone who desires a hearing must file a specific and formal complaint to the proposed changes and a request for hearing at least 10 days before the proposed effective date. A formal complaint shall be in writing in the form prescribed by United Power’s Regulations Governing Consumer Complaints and Related Matters. Upon request, a copy of said regulations is available from United Power. United Power may hold a hearing to determine what changes will be authorized, regardless of complaints. If proper formal complaints and request for hearings are timely filed, the United Power Board of Directors shall schedule a hearing. The changes ultimately authorized may or may not be the same as those proposed and may include changes different than those tariffs proposed or currently in effect. Anyone who desires to receive notice of hearings, if any, shall make a written request therefore to United Power, at the above address at least 10 days before the proposed effective date. UNITED POWER, INC. By: Mark A. Gabriel, President and Chief Executive Officer *BIlls received prior to Feb. 1 may include some January usage. If so, the bill will reflect the new rate for that usage. United Power members can find more information about the proposed 2024 rate increase here.06/17/2025 - 04:18 PM
LEGAL NOTICE: Change in the Rules & Regulations Friday | June 20, 2025 The Board of Directors has proposed the following changes to United Power's rules and regulations. Read more >11/14/2022 - 07:10 PM
Title LEGAL NOTICE: New Rate Tariff for EV Charges to Become Effective Jan. 1, 2023 /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/0_DirectorElection.jpg?h=45932144&itok=gRwpyf9E Monday | November 14, 2022 Card Teaser The rate structure includes a Charging-as-a-Service monthly rate, company owned charging station rates for DC fast charging and for level 2 charging. NOTICE NOTICE OF CHANGE IN THE TARIFFS OF UNITED POWER, INC. Date of Notice: November 15, 2022 You are hereby notified that UNITED POWER, INC. (United Power) proposes to introduce a new rate tariff schedule for Electric Vehicle Charges to become effective on or after January 1, 2023. The rate structure includes a Charging-as-a-Service monthly rate, company owned charging station rates for DC fast charging and for level 2 charging. The present and proposed tariff provisions are available for examination at the headquarters office located at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton Colorado; the Coal Creek Branch Office, located at 5 Gross Dam Road, Golden, Colorado; and the Carbon Valley Branch office at 9586 E. I-25 Frontage Road, Longmont, Colorado. Anyone who desires to comment about the proposed changes shall file either an informal complaint or a formal complaint with United at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton, Colorado 80603 at least 10 days before the proposed effective date. An informal complaint shall be in writing and shall contain such facts and other information to adequately state the reason(s) for the complaint. An informal complaint shall be considered by United Power, in regard to the proposed tariff changes, but will not require that a hearing be held. Anyone who desires a hearing must file a specific and formal complaint to the proposed changes and a request for hearing at least 10 days before the proposed effective date. A formal complaint shall be in writing in the form prescribed by United Power’s Regulations Governing Consumer Complaints and Related Matters. Upon request, a copy of said regulations is available from United Power. United Power may hold a hearing to determine what changes will be authorized, regardless of complaints. If proper formal complaints and request for hearings are timely filed, the Board shall schedule a hearing. The changes ultimately authorized may or may not be the same as those proposed and may include changes different than those tariffs proposed or currently in effect. Anyone who desires to receive notice of hearings, if any, shall make a written request therefor to United Power, at the above address at least 10 days before the proposed effective date. UNITED POWER, INC By: Mark A. Gabriel, Chief Executive Officer 9.4 Electric Vehicle Charges02/16/2024 - 12:01 PM
Title LEGAL NOTICE: Official Posting of Nominations for Director by Petition /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/images/BallotBox_Suit.jpg?h=d275fdd8&itok=sQF8SCcN Friday | February 16, 2024 Card Teaser Districts Mountain, North, Central, and South are up for three-year terms. OFFICIAL POSTING OF NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTOR BY PETITION DATE OF NOTICE: February 16, 2024 The following persons have been nominated by petition and ruled as qualified by United Power’s all-volunteer, member led Qualifications and Election Oversight Committee to run for Director of United Power, Inc., in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of Members scheduled April 17, 2024. Districts Mountain, North, Central, and South are up for three-year terms. 2024 Director Candidates are as follows: Mountain District Stephen Whiteside (Incumbent) North District Brian A. McCormick (Incumbent) Central District Tim Erickson (Incumbent) Paige Wagner-Maul South District Brad Case (Incumbent) Bylaw Ballot Question The following question will appear on the 2024 ballot. A “yes” vote is a vote in favor of changing the bylaws, and a “no” vote is a vote against changing the bylaws. Members can view the cooperative’s current bylaws online at www.unitedpower.com/bylaws-rates-tariffs. Shall there be an amendment to Article 4, Section 4 of the Bylaws of United Power, Inc. to lengthen the term a Director holds office from three (3) years to four (4) years? This notice is posted pursuant to Article 4, Section 6 of the Bylaws of United Power, Inc. Posted: 2-16-2024 Cooperative Website Brighton Headquarters Carbon Valley Service Center Coal Creek Office06/09/2025 - 08:38 AM
Title LEGAL NOTICE: United Power Bylaw Amendment Proposed /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Bylaw_Update.jpg?h=45932144&itok=ThxJM1f2 Friday | June 6, 2025 Card Teaser The Board of Directors proposes the following amendments to United Power's bylaws. NOTICE OF MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO AMEND THE BYLAWS OF UNITED POWER, INC. NOTICE OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS OF UNITED POWER, INC. 500 COOPERATIVE WAY, BRIGHTON, COLORADO 80603. The Board of Directors proposes to amend the Bylaws of United Power, Inc. (United Power) as follows:- Replace the word “nonprofit” with “not-for-profit” because there is a legal and operational distinction between the two types of organizations and United Power is a not-for-profit. This correction will align the cooperative’s governing documents with its IRS filing status, note purchase agreements, and related indenture agreements.
- Include language that provides a deadline for a challenge to any election of directors. Notice of the deadline will provide guidance to members and staff on how to handle any challenges to an election. Clarity in the rules will improve the cooperative’s operational efficiency.