United Power is pleased to announce the promotion of Matt Bartlett to the role of Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Bartlett joined United Power in 2018 as the cooperative’s IT Infrastructure Manager, and most recently served as Vice President of IT Infrastructure and Operations where he spearheaded the cooperative’s comprehensive technology transformation, including rebuilding critical network and server infrastructure, implementing a hybrid cloud environment, and establishing a robust data platform. His leadership has enhanced both the information technology and operational technology cybersecurity framework of the cooperative, while streamlining operations through targeted strategic process improvement and automation initiatives.

“I am pleased to have Matt join the executive leadership team at United Power, in the critical role of Chief Information Officer,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO. “Electric utilities have become more automated and rely on increasingly complex data and information systems to operate and provide the services members expect. Having the most talented and capable leader in this role is vital to our success.”

Bartlett is a Certified Information Services Security Professional and brings more than 20 years of experience improving information technology operations across a breadth of industries, including electric utilities, non-profits, healthcare, manufacturing, and higher education. He has a record of building high-performing teams and a keen ability to align technology solutions with business objectives.

“Our goal of providing more comprehensive solutions to cooperative members, coupled with a focus on cybersecurity for our many information system platforms, requires that United Power have the best leadership possible in this area,” said Gabriel. “I am confident Matt will help United Power bring enhanced services to the cooperative membership, while further developing our talented information technology team to meet the co-op’s future needs.”

Board Responsible for Enforcing State Electrical Statutes

Governor Jared Polis appointed United Power’s Energy Solutions Director Tyler Bain to the Colorado State Electrical Board earlier this year and he was recommended to the Senate for confirmation in April. The board is responsible for the licensing, registering, and regulating of electricians, apprentices, and electrical contractors, as well as adopting and revising rules and regulations concerning wiring apparatus and equipment for electric light, heat, and power. Its mission is to enforce the state’s electrical statutes and protect the health and safety of Colorado residents. The board is made up of nine professional and public members. Bain joins the board as a representative for electrical utilities. 

Prior to moving into his role as director of the energy solutions team, Bain worked as an electrical engineer for the cooperative. He is also a certified professional engineer with a degree from the Colorado School of Mines. As the Energy Solutions Director, he is leading United Power’s efforts to become a distribution system operator and is responsible for the development and implementation of the co-op’s energy programs. 

“It is an honor to be appointed to this position, and I am thankful for the opportunity to represent United Power and other electric utilities on this board,” said Bain.

Bain’s term on the Colorado Electric Board expires on July 1, 2026. 

May is here and that means high school and college graduation ceremonies are around the corner. Helium-filled and mylar balloons are a common theme at celebrations but they can become dangerous when they get loose and contact energized power lines. Thousands of these events occur every year, which can result in expensive equipment repairs and prolonged outages. 

Balloon-Related Safety Measures

Loose balloons can find their way into power lines even if they are not immediately located nearby. Practice the following safety measures at your events and celebrations: 

• Never let helium-filled balloons drift away outdoors. Keep balloons indoors whenever possible to ensure they cannot be released and drift into power lines. If you are using balloons outside, anchor them with weights and double check to make sure they are secure. 
• Avoid bundling balloons together. Anchor each balloon individually with a short string to control its direction. 
• Never tie metallic string or streamers to balloons. Metallic materials conduct electricity and can become a pathway to the ground if a balloon contacts a power line. 
• Deflate balloons after use. Properly dispose of balloons after your event and clean up any remnants so that wildlife, such as birds or squirrels, cannot carry pieces into energized equipment. 
• Never try to retrieve or release balloons caught in power lines. Power lines carry a high voltage and are extremely dangerous. If you notice balloons or other obstructions in power lines, contact United Power at 303-637-1300. 

Member Responsibility

United Power members who release balloons could be liable for damages to the cooperative’s electrical equipment as well as any related damages. Members are encouraged to practice balloon safety and properly dispose of them after use. 
 

Three Incumbents Re-elected in 2025 Director Election

Brighton, CO – United Power members gathered for the cooperative’s 2025 Annual Meeting on April 16 at Riverdale Regional Park in Brighton. More than 500 members and guests attended this year’s meeting, which included a video presentation highlighting the co-op’s 2024 accomplishments, an annual financial report, and a special presentation from President and CEO Mark A. Gabriel. Results of the Director Election were announced at the conclusion of the meeting. 

Voting in the Director Election was conducted via mail-in and electronic balloting. More than 4,700 member ballots were cast in the election. Running unopposed, North District incumbent Ursula J. Morgan and Central District incumbent Keith Alquist retained their seats with 4,242 votes and 4,227 votes, respectively. Incumbent Beth Martin received 2,757 votes in the South District to retain her seat; Ryan Keefer received 1,915 votes.

Board Chair Ursula J. Morgan and Gabriel shared a video presentation highlighting the cooperative’s successful transition to energy independence after the cooperative exited its wholesale power contract in May 2024. The withdrawal launched a new era in United Power’s history where it has the autonomy to manage and balance its own portfolio of energy resources and power supply agreements. The decision to leave was carefully considered over many years as the cooperative’s Board studied the industry and how it was developing. 

“Many of these changes were driven by you, our member-owners,” said Morgan. “Not only did our membership increase, power demands also increased, and you tasked this cooperative with finding new ways to produce and provide power.”

It was the shift in how members use and generate power that required United Power to rethink its distribution model, said Gabriel. Adoption of residential solar among the cooperative’s members has outpaced most of the country. Those who produce more than they consume sell their excess back to the cooperative so that the distribution of energy generation is no longer a one-way street. Additional flexibility was also necessary to help commercial and industrial members, such as those in the oil and gas industry, achieve their own goals; these members are working to electrify their processes and meet sustainability requirements.

Wholesale power costs were another factor in the decision to exit the contract. These costs already constituted more than two-thirds of the cooperative’s expenses, and United Power had little ability to control the uncertainty surrounding future increases.

“I am proud to say that from day one, we were delivering power generated by cleaner sources at more predictable prices,” said Gabriel of the successful exit. “And our record of reliability and safety remain at the high standards we expect.” 

United Power’s energy independence allows the cooperative to pursue a strategy of hyper-localization. Prioritizing power generation opportunities located within its footprint benefits both the cooperative and local communities, and limits reliance on generation facilities hundreds of miles away. Last year, the co-op added new power supply agreements for solar resources in Adams and Weld Counties, a natural gas peaking plant near Keenesburg, and battery storage facilities co-located at substations throughout the service territory.

“We are continuing to add more power agreements and are looking for new opportunities to include local resources,” said Gabriel. “This ongoing transition is the future of electric generation and delivery, and United Power is proud to be at the forefront of this change.”

Alquist, United Power’s Board Treasurer, presented the cooperative’s financials and reported another strong year. The financial performance throughout the year was ahead of not only the prior year, but also ahead of budget. Lower wholesale power costs helped offset costs associated with the co-op’s buyout last May.

Gabriel concluded the business meeting with a presentation about United Power’s opportunities as it transitions to a distribution system operator. This model of energy delivery will help the cooperative continue to meet the growing energy needs of its members while also thriving as an innovative distribution co-op. Gabriel’s presentation highlighted the coming of energy markets to Colorado, how those markets benefit United Power, and what it means for members who are energy producers as well as consumers. 

“This was a big year for United Power,” Gabriel said. “We continue to be committed to creating an energy future that is sustainable, stabilizes costs for our members, and evolves to meet the growing needs of the communities you call home.”

Videos and information presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting, including the cooperative’s 2024 Annual Report, are available here. 

About United Power

United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric co-ops in the nation, serving more than 114,000 meters. Its 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

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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, Secretary

Electronic Balloting Now Open; Paper Ballots Mailed March 14

Brighton, CO – Balloting in United Power’s 2025 Director Election is open. Members of the cooperative have the option to cast their ballots electronically through their online account or via paper ballot, mailed to members on Friday, March 14. Electronic and mail ballots must be received by 11:59 a.m. on April 15. Members may also vote in person at the cooperative’s Annual Meeting on April 16.

United Power encourages all members to cast their votes in the annual Director Election. Voting allows members to have a voice in their board representation and helps the cooperative better serve its members. Members may return their mail ballot via the postage-paid envelope included in the ballot packet, or they can log into their online account to cast an electronic ballot. Members voting online can access the ballot by clicking the “Vote Now” button.

Three positions on United Power’s Board are up for election this year – one seat in the North, Central, and South Districts. The director candidates 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. Candidate statements are available online. 

Directors represent all members and are elected on an “at-large” basis to four-year terms. This means members may cast a vote for a director in each district and not just their own. Directors serve in geographic districts to ensure equitable representation of United Power’s member base in the cooperative’s governing body.

Director Election results will be announced at the 2025 Annual Meeting, held at the Riverdale Regional Park & Fairgrounds in Brighton on April 16. Registration for the meeting opens at 4:30 p.m. and balloting closes at the beginning of the official business meeting at 6:30 p.m. A livestream of the meeting will be hosted on the cooperative’s website at www.unitedpower.com/annual-meeting. 

About United Power

United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric co-ops in the nation, serving nearly 114,000 meters. Its 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

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