The COVID19 pandemic has impacted many of our local small business members, and we wanted to take a moment to provide resources to help you. Whether you're operating with modified business practices or trying to re-open on a shoestring budget, your electric co-op is here to help connect you with information and to be your trusted energy advisor.

ENERGY INFORMATION & RESOURCES

As your electric provider, we are here to help you use your energy as efficiently as possible. Your electric bills shouldn’t be among the many challenges your business is facing right now, so here are some ways you can save energy and money.

• Tips to Help You Save During Downtime: Here are some helpful things to remember while you’re operating on reduced hours or services.
• Analyze Your Usage: Use the Power Portal to monitor your energy use and keep those bills down.
• Rate Analysis: Our Energy Management team can review your energy usage and make a rate recommendation.
• Virtual Energy Audit: We are practicing social distancing, but we are available to provide virtual energy audits. Now, more than ever, let us help you find ways to save on your energy costs.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

If you’re a small business owner looking for relief, you may qualify for financial assistance through the following resources. In addition to these national and statewide organizations, your local cities and chambers of commerce may be able to help you navigate federal programs or secure local grants.

Local Colorado Resources for Small Businesses

• State of Colorado COVID Business Resource Center
• Help Colorado Now
• Colorado Enterprise Fund
• Adams County Small Business Stabilization Program
• Weld County Business Resources

National Resources for Small Businesses

• Small Business Administration (SBA)
• USDA Rural Development
• IRS Employee Retention Credit

PAYMENT OPTIONS & ASSISTANCE

We offer several convenient ways for you to pay your bills at a safe distance and may be able to assist you with your electric bill payments.

• Online & Mobile App: Pay online or with the United Power mobile app.
• Pay Now: We know you’re busy. Pay Now allows you to make a quick, secure payment online without a password. 
• Payment Kiosk: Still prefer to pay in person, or make a cash payment? Use one of our kiosks open from 5 am – 10 pm.
• Payment Arrangements & Co-op Cares Fund: If you are having trouble making your payments, please reach out to us. We can help schedule a payment arrangement and if you are economically impacted by the pandemic, you may qualify for an energy bill assistance grant from our Co-op Cares Fund.

United Power proudly stands with our locally owned small business members, and we are here to power you back into business. For energy information, expert advice, or billing questions, please reach out to us at 303-637-1300.

BRIGHTON – United Power’s Operation Round-Up Foundation will donate a total of $20,000 to large food banks that provide food to members throughout the United Power service territory. The board of directors selected Food Bank of the Rockies and the Weld County Food Bank to receive grants of $10,000 each to offset their growing costs during the COVID-19 situation.

“On behalf of the entire Round-Up board of directors, we are very pleased to be able to provide these generous grants to these two organizations,” stated Dale McCall, United Power Operation Round-Up President. “This support, coupled with our ongoing support of our partner organizations, provides direct relief to members of United Power who are being impacted by either health or economic concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In addition to this one-time grant, the organization has been providing on-going support to several groups that provide essential services to community members over the last three years. Almost Home in Brighton, Catholic Charities in Ft. Lupton, the Carbon Valley Help Center in Firestone, and Canyon Cares in the Coal Creek Canyon area receive quarterly grants to provide assistance to United Power members who may need help paying utility, rent, and other critical expenses.

The Round-Up board is charged with the oversight and distribution of funds collected from members who support the foundation. The foundation is funded by members who “round-up” their bills to the next full dollar amount. The average donation is 50¢ per month, but those pennies add up to really make a substantial impact in United Power’s service territory. Since the foundation was established it has funneled more than $2.5 million back into the community to fund programs that support United Power members. To learn more about United Power’s Operation Round-Up Foundation, visit our website at www.unitedpower.com, or call us at 303-637-1300.

About United Power and the Operation Round-Up Foundation

United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative delivering electricity to more than 95,000 meters at homes, businesses and farms in Colorado's north-central front range. The United Power Operation Round-Up Foundation, funded by United Power members, supports the needs of cooperative members through grants to local organizations providing critical services. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media at facebook.com/unitedpower or twitter.com/unitedpowercoop.

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United Power introduced its new Member Choice Grants program earlier this year, asking members to nominate a nonprofit organization in its service territory they would like to see the cooperative help support.

Within the service territory, several of these organizations exist to provide for the needs of individuals and families and bring value to the communities they serve. These grant nominations allow United Power to provide support for causes and organizations members truly care about.

Nominations quickly began arriving, and it was clear members saw an immediate need to provide basic food supplies for their neighbors at this time. United Power is happy to announce the two organizations receiving the first $1,000 Member Choice Grants from the first round of nominations for 2020.

Carbon Valley Help Center

The Carbon Valley Help Center exists to help with the immediate needs of residents in their area, including food assistance and financial support. The grant will be used to help provide for the needs of its food pantry during the pandemic.

Fort Lupton Food & Clothing Bank

The mission of the Fort Lupton Food and Clothing Bank is to provide life sustaining food and clothing to people in need in and around the Fort Lupton community. Each year, the organization provides assistance to nearly 9,000 individuals.

Nominations are now open for the second round of Member Choice Grants, which will be announced in the next United Newsline. To submit a nomination, fill out a Member Choice Grant application and provide a brief reason why you feel the organization should receive the grant.

For your safety, and ours, please maintain a safe distance from our crews. They're on the front line keeping the lights on and we'd appreciate your help keeping them safe and healthy. Approaching lineworkers can compromise their health during this pandemic and it also distracts them while they are performing critical work.

Recently, more members have been approaching our crews while they continue to work to keep the electric grid maintained and powered. We realize this may be a stressful time, and more of our members are home to observe this work near their property. But please keep in mind that the health and safety of these essential workers is paramount to keeping your power flowing. 

To protect our essential workers, we have closed our offices to walk-in traffic and dispersed our office personnel to remote work stations. We have temporarily suspended any in-home visits like energy audits, and our crews should not need access to the inside of your homes to complete their work. Field crews are wearing masks made of the same fire-resistant material as their uniform shirts, and our crews will maintain a safe distance from our members while working near your property. 

Please also keep in mind that the electric system serving you delivers high-voltage electricity and our trained linemen can often be working on or near energized electrical equipment. To keep you safe from electrical dangers, and to protect the health of our vital field crews, please keep a safe distance from equipment and anyone working in the area.

We are happy to answer your questions about work being completed, so instead of approaching crews, please call our office at 303-637-1300. We're here at a safe distance with the same commitment to power what matters to you.