Article originally published on April 18, 2020. 

United Power is returning $5.5 million in Capital Credits to members beginning in May and nearly every member is getting a payment. Due to the unique economic stresses being placed on our members because of the COVID 19 situation, United Power’s Board of Directors has opted to distribute Capital Credit refunds earlier than in prior years. In past years the retirements were made in August, but the United Power Board felt members could use the economic relief now.

“We know that many of our members have been impacted by this health emergency – through cuts in pay, job losses, or increased health costs,” said Bryant Robbins, Chief Executive Officer. “This retirement will provide money back to nearly all our members when they need it most.”

In 2020, United Power is retiring $5.5 million to members. The total amount of money retired is divided among all members and is being issued in May. Additionally, while these payments have typically been issued as checks, more refunds will be applied to bills in order to reduce the need for our members to go to a bank during this health emergency. Members receiving a retirement of $50 or less, will see a bill credit directly on their May electric bill. Those receiving larger retirement amounts will receive a check.

Capital credits represent ownership in United Power and are one of the most unique and rewarding benefits afforded to members of electric cooperatives. Unlike investor-owned utilities that maximize profits to pay dividends to shareholders, not-for-profit electric co-ops like United Power provide our members with “at cost” electric service—we do not exist to earn a profit. At the end of each year, after all operational expenses have been covered, a portion of any excess funds is returned to the members in the form of capital credits. Learn more about capital credits, or if you have additional questions please call our Member Services team at 303-637-1300.

In addition to the advancement of Capital Credit refunds, the cooperative has temporarily suspended disconnections and is providing payment arrangements for members who have been directly impacted by COVID 19. The Board of Directors has also established the Co-op Cares fund allocating $250,000 in unclaimed capital credits to provide direct assistance to members facing hardships due to the pandemic.

Any members who may have troubles paying their electric bills are encouraged to call United Power at 303-637-1300 and our Member Services team will match them with all of the available resources and assistance options. 

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. 

United Power recently installed a new payment kiosk at its Brighton office location, available now for member use. The installation of the new kiosk adds a third location for members to make payments via kiosk, joining the Carbon Valley Service Center and the Coal Creek Canyon office. Payments made using a kiosk at any of the three locations are quick, simple and hassle-free. 

Payment kiosks accept cash, credit card or check payments. Cash and credit card payments made using a kiosk are applied to your account immediately, and accounts subject to disconnection are restored immediately upon payment. 

Set Up Your Fast Pass for Quick Access

To make your transactions faster, there is an option to set up a “Fast Pass,” which will be prompted once you complete a successful transaction. You’ll create a 4-digit PIN and receive a printed barcode.

Bring your barcode next time you visit a United Power payment kiosk, select “Fast Pass” and quickly find your account with the barcode/PIN or the phone number you used when setting up your Fast Pass.

Please be careful to enter the correct phone and account numbers when making a payment because your Fast Pass will reflect these numbers exactly as you input them.

On April 4th, the CDC officially began recommending more widespread use of cloth masks by people who do not show any symptoms of COVID-19. The aim of this recommendation is to reduce transmission of COVID-19 from people who are infected but not showing symptoms.

In recognition of the recommendation, a group of ingenious employees at United Power proposed having a local seamstress make cloth masks from extra yellow fire resistant shirts for our linemen. The first batch of masks were handed out to linemen earlier this week, and more are in production. Masks will be delivered to linemen at the Carbon Valley Service Center and Coal Creek offices once more are available.

United Power is dedicated to keeping our members’ lights on. That wouldn’t be possible without the help of our skilled linemen, who work each day behind the scenes to improve our system and prevent outages before they happen. On April 18th, we will join in celebrating National Lineman Appreciation Day, honoring the hard work, innovation and dedication of America’s electrical lineworkers.

Linemen must be prepared to face daily situations that may be less than ideal, regularly tasked with resolving intricate and hazardous problems in unknown or perilous conditions.

During the past year, our linemen have had to help restore power to members following severe hail storms and high winds, which caught many off guard. When severe weather hits our service territory, our linemen are ready to assess the situation and begin the process of restoring power. When the skies are clear and the wind is calm, our linemen are monitoring our system and making improvements to prevent outages where possible.

Our linemen are on call 24 hours a day, ready to respond to any situation in any type of weather. So next time you lose power, rest assured a highly trained United Power crew is on the way, dedicated to getting the lights back on quickly and safely.

Without our linemen, the power that makes our member’s homes comfortable wouldn’t be possible. We invite our members to take a moment to thank our United Power linemen for the work they do. Use #ThankALineman on social media to show your support, or take a moment to drop a kind note in the mail.

United Power
Thank A Lineman
500 Cooperative Way
Brighton, CO 80603