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05/12/2021 - 11:38 AM
Title United Power Resumes In-Person Services and Collection of Late Fees, Reconnect Fees /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/images/Images_News/Touchstone_Energy_Office_073.jpg?itok=hzUKd7Ke Wednesday | May 12, 2021 Card Teaser United Power is phasing in a return to standard operating and billing procedures. Now that COVID vaccinations are widely available and restrictions are lifting, United Power is phasing in a return to standard operating and billing procedures. Beginning on May 18th, late fees and reconnect fees, which were temporarily waived during the height of the COVID shutdowns, will be reinstated. On June 1st, select teams of United Power employees will return to the office, and United Power will open its Brighton lobby to walk-in visitors and for in-person payments. United Power was one of the first Colorado utilities to pause disconnections for non-payment and waive late fees and disconnect fees when the initial pandemic stay-at-home orders were issued. Disconnections for non-payment resumed in July 2020, and on May 18th, late fees for payments not received by the due date and reconnection fees to restore electric service will resume. United Power offers several ways to avoid fees, including payment arrangements, enrolling in Pay As You Go pre-paid electric service, and applying for Co-op Cares Funds. The cooperative allocated $550,000 in relief funds to help members financially impacted by COVID. Any member struggling to make their payments in full or on time is encouraged to call United Power to access resources for assistance. “We want to help our members avoid additional fees and disconnections, but they need to reach out to us before they are past due on their payments,” said Francis Ashu, United Power Director of Member Services. “Through our Co-op Cares fund, we have been able to help almost two thousand members financially impacted by COVID, and there are still funds available for members who are facing hardships.” On June 1st, United Power’s Brighton Headquarters lobby at 500 Cooperative Way will re-open. While we will continue providing a suite of remote options to assist members, our Representatives will be available to assist members in person during regular business hours of Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Masks and social distancing will be required for all visitors and employees as directed by local health code mandates. The Carbon Valley and Coal Creek offices remain closed to visitors. Payment kiosks accept cash, check, and card payments and are available at all United Power offices and the Bank of Colorado Operations Center in Ft Lupton. “Our dedicated employees are anxious to see our members and interact with them in person again. We are glad that a safe return to normal operations is possible,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President, and Chief Executive Officer. “United Power has taken every precaution to protect employees from being affected by COVID. With one office re-opening, we will continue to adhere to health department guidelines in the office, and some teams will continue to work remotely. To further protect our employees and ensure they are here to serve our members, we are offering an on-site vaccine clinic for employees and family members.”02/29/2024 - 02:46 PM
United Power Selected by US Department of Energy to Receive $6.1 Million Investment Thursday | February 29, 2024 The Fort Lupton Microgrid project was selected as one of 17 clean energy projects across 20 states and 30 tribal nations and communities. Read more >04/09/2024 - 12:28 PM
United Power Signs Power Purchase Agreement with NextEra Energy Resources Tuesday | April 9, 2024 Agreement adds 150 MW of solar to the cooperative’s power mix. Read more >08/22/2023 - 09:51 AM
United Power Signs Power Purchase Agreement with OneEnergy Tuesday | August 22, 2023 Output from 10 megawatt solar system added to cooperative power mix. Read more >07/31/2023 - 09:38 AM
United Power Signs Power Purchase Agreement with Solar of Alamosa LLC Monday | July 31, 2023 Cooperative will receive full 30 MW of output for 25 years. Read more >11/16/2023 - 01:48 PM
United Power Signs Power Purchase Agreement with Whetstone Power Thursday | November 16, 2023 Storage agreement will help create flexibility for the cooperative. Read more >10/08/2020 - 09:06 AM
Title United Power Statement on Tri-State Announcement to Reduce Rates & Implement Partial Requirements Contracts /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/PowerLine.jpg?h=6ae7ec77&itok=vzIvBZWb Thursday | October 8, 2020 Tri-State Generation and Transmission, United Power’s power supplier, announced a plan to reduce rates by 8% over the next three years, as well as allow for partial requirements contracts with certain requirements. The improvements are part of the power supplier’s goals to meet the guidelines of their Responsible Energy Plan. United Power’s interim CEO, Bryant Robbins issued the following statement in response to the components of the proposed plan: “United Power is very supportive of Tri-State’s efforts to lower rates. We think this is a great step in the right direction for the future of Tri-State and congratulate their efforts in trying to make this happen. Unfortunately for United Power, we serve an area in which our competitors’ rates are as much 25% to 35% less than ours. We are going to need much more than the proposed 8% reduction in Wholesale Power to be competitive,” stated interim CEO, Bryant Robbins. “Based upon our preliminary analysis, we don’t think the Partial Requirements/added flexibility has a positive impact on our needs. The approved plan is not what we proposed a couple of years ago and just doesn’t appear to viable to United Power and its membership,” added Robbins. “However, we hope it does meet the needs of the other [Tri-State] cooperatives.” “United Power will continue to pursue a just, reasonable, and non-discriminatory exit charge,” Robbins concluded. “Once received, our Board can then determine the appropriate direction and future of our Power Supply that is in the best interest of our membership. We also remain available to Tri-State for discussions to potentially resolve the issues.” United Power is continuing to work on this. Read more on our Power Supply page.07/22/2019 - 04:25 PM
United Power Students Leave for D.C. Monday | July 1, 2019 Colorado students boarded a bus from United Power on Friday, June 14 to join nearly 2,000 other high school students for the 2019 Youth Leadership Tour in Washington D.C. Read more >12/04/2023 - 02:44 PM
Title United Power Supports Local Students /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/FridayNightLights_0.jpg?h=45932144&itok=P4tlum0Z Sunday | November 19, 2023 Card Teaser Demonstrating our commitment to local schools and communities through support and engagement. Demonstrating Our Commitment to Local Schools Through Support and Engagement As an electric cooperative, we understand — and appreciate — the value education adds to the communities we serve. United Power partners with local high schools, helping equip students for success on the field, in the classroom, and after they graduate and pursue a postsecondary education or a rewarding career. Friday Night Lights United Power serves nearly two dozen local high schools and some of the most dedicated student athletes in Colorado. The cooperative presented $1,000 donations to the athletic programs at Prairie View and Brighton High Schools during their annual crosstown rivalry game on Sept. 29. The first 1,000 attendees at the football game also received clear stadium bags. Mead Energy Academy United Power and the Mead Energy Academy have a long-standing partnership. The cooperative’s Mavericks Solar Farm, named after the high school’s mascot, provides education opportunities for students to learn more about the role solar energy plays in a diversified energy mix. Students from Mead Energy Academy were able to witness a live public safety demonstration from United Power lineworkers in October to learn about electrical safety and careers in the energy industry. Day in the Boots United Power would not be able to keep members’ lights on without its dedicated and hardworking team in operations. Construction students from the Careers and Technical Education (CTE) programs at 27J, RE-3J, and Adams 12 school districts got to spend a day in the boots of these essential workers, experiencing the various career options that are available within the energy industry first-hand. Careers in Energy Cooperatives provide various career opportunities spanning many fields and specialties, including engineering, finance, human resources, information technology, communications, and more. Each year, United Power supports local career fairs where students can learn about all the career pathways available at cooperatives. Leadership Training Trips Students are the future leaders in our communities. The cooperative provides leadership training opportunities for local students at the Youth Leadership Camp in Steamboat Springs and Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. Applications for the annual youth trips open soon. Learn more about youth trips and apply online.03/17/2020 - 09:56 AM
United Power Suspending Disconnects Tuesday | March 17, 2020 Out of concern for our members and the communities they call home, United Power is suspending service disconnects and late fees for our residential members. Read more >04/07/2021 - 02:46 PM
Title United Power Testifies in Support of Colorado Cooperative Governance House Bill /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/Colorado_Capitol.jpg?itok=Plxl0uPW Wednesday | April 7, 2021 Card Teaser This bill allows electric cooperatives to modernize processes in director elections and corresponding procedures. United Power’s Government and Regulatory Relations Officer, Troy Whitmore, testified Tuesday in front of the Colorado Senate Transportation and Energy Committee in support of a House bill concerning governance requirements for Colorado’s electric cooperatives. House Bill 21-1131 “Cooperative Electric Associations Governance Requirements” makes current laws regarding transparency and governance applicable to all non-profit electric associations. “We were pleased to participate in a thorough stakeholder process with Representative Amabile regarding this bill for several months prior to introduction,” said Troy Whitmore, Government & Regulatory Relations Officer, during his testimony. “The United Power Board of Directors has taken a position of support on this bill.” This bill represents modernization improvements for electric cooperatives in director elections and corresponding procedures, formal authorization of virtual technology use for Board and member meetings, and clear instruction on Board policies regarding compensation and disclosure of conflicts of interest. “We have no issue with the posting of rate tariffs and other important policies on our website as we already publish this important information. We take great pride in transparently communicating with our membership and other interested parties,” said Whitmore. “Back in 2010, we worked closely with Representative Claire Levy on a similar bill which improved our director election procedures and member notifications. This bill, HB 1131, further improves the foundational work accomplished more than a decade ago.” In 2010, United Power worked with state lawmakers to clarify election requirements for cooperatives, which allowed United Power to count more member ballots as valid. An aspect of the 2021 House bill allows the cooperative to hold more electronic communications and elections—which have greatly expanded access and popularity over the last year. “As previously interpreted from State statute, electric cooperatives in Colorado were not able to hold electronic director elections,” said Whitmore. “The passage of this bill would allow our Board to consider offering the addition of electronic balloting to our members for cooperative elections.” Tri-State Generation & Transmission Chief Executive Officer, Duane Highley, and Geoffrey Hier, Government Relations Director for the Colorado Rural Electric Association, also testified in favor of the bill. HB21-1131 passed unanimously in Senate committee on Tuesday and is headed to the Senate floor sometime in the next week. Read the full testimony of Mr. Troy Whitmore. Read the full text of HB21-1131 and monitor the status.09/16/2020 - 03:20 PM
Title United Power to Close Fort Lupton Office /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/FortLupton_NewOffice_2016%20%282%29.JPG?itok=Tqi8a3xw Wednesday | September 16, 2020 Card Teaser Members who wish to conduct business in person can visit our Brighton headquarters. After several years operating a storefront in Fort Lupton, United Power is closing its office located on Dexter Street in the Fort Lupton Safeway shopping center. All United Power lobbies have been closed to the public since March due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the Fort Lupton office will not reopen. When conditions allow and offices reopen to the public, members who wish to conduct business in person will be able to visit our Brighton office, located just nine miles from Fort Lupton. The cooperative is also planning to open a self-serve payment kiosk in Fort Lupton to ensure members still have a local payment station that accepts cash, check, and card. “The way our members want to conduct business with us is evolving. Before the pandemic, we were noticing a decline in the number of members visiting us in person. The pandemic stopped all in-person services, and our members quickly adapted to using remote tools to manage their accounts,” said Francis Ashu, Member Services Director. “Now more of our members are consistently interacting with us over the phone or online and leveraging self-serve payment options instead of visiting our front counters. Through these options, members have easy and safe access to account information from the comfort of their home, and we are able to provide the same level of quality service without the costs associated with operating a storefront location.” Over the last few years, United Power has seen a steady increase in demand from members who prefer to use self-serve and digital account and payment options, and a corresponding reduction in visits to our offices. The co-op has responded by offering more ways for members to access their accounts and make quick and secure payments without visiting an office. Members can easily review account information and make payments through our online portal, mobile app and pay by phone features. Self-serve payment kiosks that accept cash, check and card payments are available in our Carbon Valley, Coal Creek and Brighton office with expanded hours beyond the business day. Since the pandemic related closures, our online, over the phone and self-serve support options have allowed United Power to continue to serve our members at a safe distance. United Power member services representatives and other office personnel have also been working remotely while handling support inquiries. When employees return to the office, member services representatives from the Fort Lupton location will transfer to the Brighton Headquarters, and eventually in-person service will resume from the Brighton Headquarters lobby. The Brighton, Coal Creek and Carbon Valley offices house a consolidated mix of line crews, vehicle maintenance, member services, engineering and new construction teams. Whereas, the Fort Lupton office has been a member services-only storefront. Consolidating employee teams to these primary office locations will improve efficiency and save money for the cooperative and our members. “The co-op has a long history of partnership with the town of Fort Lupton and the town has always welcomed our storefront location. We thank you for your hospitality over the years,” said Bryant Robbins, Acting Chief Executive Officer. “Be assured that this office closure doesn’t diminish our commitment to serving the Fort Lupton community—we remain as dedicated as ever to providing you with co-op power and supporting the community you call home.” United Power remains committed to serving the Fort Lupton area with more than just electricity. Our crews continue to be dispatched from our Carbon Valley Service Center and our Brighton Headquarters for outages, and you will still see us working in the area to conduct system maintenance. You’ll still see our employees involved in the community, and our name on banners at ball parks and as a supporter of local organizations and community events. As your electric cooperative, we’re here to power what matters, no matter where you live in the service territory.