Brighton, CO – Representatives of United Power, Inc. along with leadership from Kindle Energy LLC (Kindle) gathered in Keenesburg, CO to celebrate the completion and operation of the new Mountain Peak Power plant, a 162-megawatt simple-cycle natural gas generation facility comprised of six General Electric combustion turbines. The plant began providing power to cooperative members in July. 

The unique facility, which is a peaking power plant co-located at one of United Power’s electric substations, was engineered to take advantage of the proximity of natural gas sources to the substation and its onsite battery energy storage system. The design brings the ability to generate and deliver power directly to a vital hub in the electric distribution system. United Power can economically dispatch the facility when energy costs are at their highest to ensure reliability and resource adequacy.

“The integration of Mountain Peak Power onto the cooperative’s distribution system is the future of energy generation and delivery,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “This resource allows us to remain nimble when capacity on renewable resources drops or when weather impacts our system. It also allows us to have some direct control over costs that can impact our members. Further, this project is in direct alignment with the vision for United Power’s future, as laid out in our Cooperative Roadmap.”

The units installed on the site operate off a natural gas pipeline adjacent to the plant, reducing delivery costs and ensuring a readily available source of fuel. Additionally, the units are considered “hydrogen ready” which means the plant can also run on fuels with hydrogen content when that is commercially available. 

The power plant was designed, commissioned, and operational on one of the quickest timelines ever attempted for a facility of this type. The coordination between Kindle and United Power was complemented by the quick response time from the State of Colorado, Weld County, and the Town of Keenesburg.

“Kindle is proud to partner with United Power to deliver this distinctive, reliable, and fast-tracked project for United Power’s members. In close collaboration with GE Vernova, Fagen construction, and United Power, we were able to navigate challenging supply chain dynamics in order to meet an extremely compressed timeline,” said Lee Davis, CEO of Kindle Energy.

Mountain Peak Power plant is just one of the ways United Power continues to realize the electric delivery system of the future. Integrating new resources that complement each other, with a focus on hyperlocalization, while meeting the energy needs of United Power’s growing service territory, is essential to the cooperative’s ongoing success.

To learn more about United Power’s energy transition and its diverse sources of power, visit the cooperative’s website at www.unitedpower.com. 

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 115,000 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.

About Kindle Energy

Kindle Energy is a power generation development and asset management firm based in Princeton, NJ.  With approximately 9.4GW of operating facilities currently under management and 1.5 GW under construction, Kindle Energy offers customized approaches to investing in, operating, and managing power generation assets in North America. Supporting Utilities, Co-Ops, Municipals and other energy facility owners, Kindle Energy is focused on providing creative solutions to the complex energy issues of today to allow customers to focus on their core business.

Please visit www.kindle-energy.com to see more details.

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Trees are often the favorite aspect of a landscape, and everyone appreciates the beauty, value, and shade that a tree provides. Overgrown trees and vegetation under overhead power lines or near poles and other utility equipment threaten reliability and safety and increases wildfire risk. That is why United Power invests time and resources into regular tree trimming and removal operations in utility rights-of-way.

What Are Utility Rights-of-Way?

Utility rights-of-way areas designate access for utilities and must be kept clear so that crews are able to access equipment for maintenance and repair. United Power maintains a minimum of 10 feet of clearance on either side of utility equipment within the right-of-way and trims or removes vegetation growing under power lines.

Utility rights-of-way may cross a member’s property and United Power is obligated to keep these areas clear of any vegetation blocking equipment and potentially causing a threat to safety or reliability. Vegetation around electrical equipment that cannot be trimmed safely may need to be removed entirely, especially if it could damage or compromise equipment.

Why Does United Power Trim or Remove Trees?

• Prevent outages. Trees that grow too closely to power lines or that become damaged during storms pose a risk to United Power equipment and could result in an outage.
• Access equipment. Crews need to access equipment quickly and easily for maintenance or for outage restoration. Overgrowth can cause delays and prolong outages.
• Mitigate wildfire risks. “Hazard trees” and other excess vegetation that could potentially contact utility equipment increases the risk of wildfires. United Power dedicates significant resources to reducing the threat of fires and keeping the community safe.

How and When Does United Power Trim or Remove Trees?

• United Power uses experienced tree trimming contractors to remove vegetation near high-voltage electric equipment.
• Artificial intelligence programs help the cooperative create vegetation management plans and track projects.
• Densely forested parts of the territory and areas where overgrowth is more prevalent are prioritized in vegetation management cycles.
• Crews will trim around equipment when it is safe to do so, but they may have to remove any vegetation that could compromise equipment when trimming is not sufficient.
• Members are contacted in advance when tree trimming projects are planned in their area.

United Power urges members to contact the cooperative when they recognize trees that are growing into power lines or when overgrowth is encroaching on electrical equipment. Members should also observe the 10-Foot Rule when implementing home beautification projects around equipment located on their property. Learn more about United Power’s vegetation management and fire mitigation plan on the co-op’s website.

Brighton, CO – Four of Colorado’s leading public power and distribution cooperative utilities — Colorado Springs Utilities (Springs Utilities), CORE Electric Cooperative (CORE), Platte River Power Authority and United Power — are joining forces to explore an innovative transmission solution that will better serve their member-customers. This collaboration aims to reduce electric transmission congestion, enhance system reliability and expand access to renewable energy sources, all while supporting the State of Colorado’s ambitious carbon reduction goals.

Transmission lines are the backbone of the electric grid, carrying power from generation facilities to local utilities and substations. Transmission congestion along Colorado’s Front Range has become a growing challenge that limits flexibility. Together, these four utilities serve more than 1.5 million Coloradans, including some of the state’s fastest-growing communities.

“We expect our growth to continue, so addressing transmission congestion is critical,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “United Power serves an area that is growing quickly, attracting large residential developments and new businesses alike. A more reliable transmission route would help to stabilize costs and increase reliability for current and future members in the cooperative’s service territory.”

A new transmission solution could also benefit the utilities by allowing them to better access generation and share transmission resources, helping to meet Colorado’s clean energy goals.

“We are committed to decarbonizing our portfolio for our four owner communities while supporting our neighbor utilities as we all make this energy transition,” says Jason Frisbie, CEO of Platte River Power Authority. “All options are on the table to help improve reliability and reduce costs, including opportunities to enhance transmission capabilities as we move into an organized market.”

In a complementary move to help manage costs and maintain reliability, Springs Utilities, Platte River Power Authority and United Power will join the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) Regional Transmission Organization on April 1, 2026. CORE is also evaluating market participation, including the SPP. 
“What’s great about public power entities is their willingness to collaborate to find the best solutions for their customers. We’re focused on strategies that help manage costs, maintain our industry-leading reliability and reduce carbon emissions. This partnership is a proactive step toward a more resilient energy future for Colorado Springs,” says Travas Deal, Springs Utilities CEO.

“This is a positive first step in exploring alternative ways for our four utilities to support growth and resiliency across our service territories,” stated Pam Feuerstein, CORE CEO. “Additional transmission would enable CORE to continue providing affordable and reliable power to our members, now and into the future.”

The four utilities have agreed to continue to evaluate future transmission options that can best support each utility’s needs while advancing shared goals for reliability, affordability and sustainability. 

About Colorado Springs Utilities

Colorado Springs Utilities is one of the largest community-owned, not-for-profit, four-service utilities in the nation. For more than 100 years, we have provided Colorado Springs with safe, reliable and competitively priced electric, natural gas, water and wastewater services. 

About CORE Electric Cooperative 

CORE is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative providing power to over 180,000 services inside a 5,000-square-mile area along Colorado's Front Range. Its headquarters is in Sedalia, and district offices are in Bennett, Pine Junction, and Woodland Park. Learn more at www.CORE.coop.  

About Platte River Power Authority

Platte River Power Authority (Platte River) is a not-for-profit, community-owned public power generation and transmission utility that provides safe, reliable, environmentally responsible and financially sustainable energy and services to Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland, Colorado, for delivery to their distribution utility customers. In addition to providing a public health and safety service to the owner communities, Platte River is working toward a 100% noncarbon energy future through a Resource Diversification Policy approved by its board of directors in 2018. For more information, visit prpa.org.

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 115,000 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.
 

Brighton, CO — United Power is pleased to announce the promotion of Jonathan Aust to the role of Senior Vice President and Chief Energy Resource Officer, replacing Dean Hubbuck who is retiring in August. Aust joined the cooperative earlier this year as the co-op’s Vice President of Energy Resource Planning.

“We are fortunate to have someone with the professional background and high level of expertise that Jonathan brings to this position,” stated Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO. “His more than 20 years of experience in the energy industry has already been an asset to the cooperative while working with our power supply team the past few months, learning the details of United Power’s many power purchase agreements.”

Prior to joining United Power, Aust served as Vice President of Power Operations for the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). In that role he led a team of more than 80 employees to support power operations responsible for covering a seven-state region and two balancing authorities, delivering power to energy providers across the footprint. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Information Technology for SCADA/EMS, or supervisory control and data acquisition and energy management system, supporting WAPA’s control centers across a 15-state area.

Aust has served in leadership for a variety of key industry committees, including several representing the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC). He was honored in 2022 with WECC’s Outstanding Contributor Award.

“As we expand our many power contracts and continue to diversify our resources, we need a leader like Jon in this key role,” stated Gabriel. “His ability to lead a team, coupled with his extensive knowledge of the industry, will help continue to build a new portfolio of power that reflects the cooperative’s focus on diverse power sources and integration of local generation.”

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 115,000 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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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. 

A complete redline of the proposed changes is available on the cooperative’s website at www.unitedpower.com, or members may obtain a hardcopy at any United Power office or via mail by calling 303-637-1300 and requesting that a copy be made available to them at the address on file with the cooperative.

Pursuant to Article 11, Section 8 of the Bylaws of United Power Inc., you are hereby notified that the Board of Directors of United Power proposes to adopt the amendment(s) to United Power’s bylaws at a meeting of the Board to be held on August 27, 2025, unless a written petition is filed at United Power’s headquarters before close of business on August 25, 2025, signed by 100 or more members, protesting the proposed amendments.

UNITED POWER, INC.

By: /s/Elizabeth “Beth” Martin, Secretary of the Board

Brighton, CO – United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2025. This year, the cooperative awarded more than $35,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected 20 high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and a written essay. 

2025 Cooperative Scholarship recipients: 

• Ryan Brown, Frederick High School, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
• Kennedy Cardillo, Weld Central High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
• Alora Tortorelli Cruz, Riverdale Ridge High School, Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Isaac Griffith, Rocky Mountain Lutheran High School, United Power Community College Scholarship, $1,000
• Trevor Kurtz, Mead High School, Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Madison Miller, Mead High School, United Power Technical/Vocational Scholarship, $1,000
• Adisyn Rademacher, Mead High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500

Additionally, United Power dedicates a Bright Futures Scholarship to a student from each high school within its service territory, provided the cooperative receives an application. This year, United Power awarded 13 scholarships for $2,000 each, including three “at-large” selections. 

Bright Futures Scholarships for 2025 were awarded to Ava Allen, Frontier Academy; Arely Chavez, Weld Central High School; Olivia Cornelius, Riverdale Ridge High School; Ethan DeBoo, Legacy High School; Kalei Dreiling, Prairie View High School; Carina DuLong, Fairview High School; Laneya Harris, Fort Lupton High School; Anna Jorstad, Brighton High School; Rolando Mijares Miranda, Frederick High School; Taryn Petruncola, Erie High School; Matthew Pineda, Stargate Charter School; Nicole Price, Mead High School; and Arnav Sudheer, Prospect Ridge Academy. 

More information about United Power’s scholarships, including a video recognizing this year’s recipients, can be found here. Scholarship applications are made available on the United Power’s website by December each year.

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 115,000 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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