Employees Volunteered at Eight Local Organizations in October

United Power celebrated National Co-op Month in October with the return of its popular Days of Service campaign for the second consecutive year. The cooperative collaborated with local nonprofits on eight service projects designed to provide volunteer opportunities for employees to spend a day giving back. 

These projects emphasize the co-op’s commitment to the communities it serves and recognize the importance of nonprofits that are meeting the needs of members. This year, more than 90 employees participated. 

“Our employees share the cooperative’s commitment to care for the local community,” said Julie Stewart, United Power’s Community Outreach Specialist. “They understand how important these organizations, and the services they provide, are to local families, and they were excited to volunteer.”

Some of the projects included building a fence and cleaning on-site areas at Happiness Through Horses; trail maintenance and winter prep at the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies; prepping spaces for upcoming projects at the Pennock Center; and packing food for distribution at the Adams County Food Bank, Fort Lupton Food and Clothing Bank, Pastor’s Pantry, and the Weld Food Bank’s mobile pantry. United Power employees also donated hygiene products throughout the month and helped pack kits for Sparkling Kindness. 

“I am very thankful that I could participate and help an organization in our service territory,” said one employee after helping distribute food to local families at the Weld Food Bank. “These opportunities set us apart from other electric utilities and show how much we truly care about our members.”

These organizations are a continual reminder that the cooperative serves thriving communities thanks to our members’ spirits of service and commitment to giving back. Local residents recognized an important need in their community and found a way to meet it with the help of like-minded friends and neighbors. It resembles the way electric cooperatives were formed nearly 90 years ago when local farmers came together to establish a local power company, owned by the members it serves. 

NOTICE OF CHANGE IN THE RATE TARIFFS OF UNITED POWER, INC.

DATE OF NOTICE:  Nov. 7, 2025

United Power Inc.’s elected board of directors has approved changes to United Power’s rate tariff schedules for energy usage, including increases to both demand and fixed charges, to become effective on or after Jan. 1, 2026, as described on each applicable rate tariff posted on www.unitedpower.com. Additionally, the on-peak window for residential and commercial time of use rates will change from the current window of 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. to a shorter window of 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. These adjustments are necessary for all rate classes due to increased wholesale power and transmission costs, increased costs due to tariffs and continued inflationary pressures on the supply chain, and to keep United Power in compliance with its indenture, note purchase agreements, and financial goals. There will also be a new rate class labeled Municipal Owned Lighting Service (MOL).

The present and proposed tariff provisions are available for examination at the Coal Creek Branch Office, located at 5 Gross Dam Road, Golden, CO; the headquarters office located at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton, CO; the Carbon Valley Branch Office at 9586 E. I-25 Frontage Road, Longmont, CO; and on the cooperative’s website at www.unitedpower.com.

Anyone who desires to file either an informal complaint or a formal complaint with United Power must do so in writing as required by United Power’s Rules and Regulations, accessible online at www.unitedpower.com/bylaws-rates-tariffs.

UNITED POWER, INC.

By: Mark A. Gabriel, President and Chief Executive Officer

MORE INFORMATION: United Power 2026 Rate Change Information

These days it is easy for national headlines and political turmoil to distract us from the prime directive of electric cooperatives like United Power, which is to safely keep the lights on in the most cost effective and sustainable way possible.

Every day and night the women and men of United Power are clearly focused on our mission. There is an old saying, loosely adopted by the U.S. Postal Service, from the translation of Herodotus’ Histories that says, “It is said that as many days as there are in the whole journey, so many are the men and horses that stand along the road, each horse and man at the interval of a day’s journey; and these are stayed neither by snow nor rain nor heat nor darkness from accomplishing their appointed course with all speed.” This is more appropriately the mantra of the people at United Power who work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year in some of the most challenging weather conditions to ensure the lights stay on.

We have a tremendous team — from the dispatchers working around the clock to the crews who build the system to the engineers planning the system to the member services representatives answering your questions. Every one of our 200+ employees does their part. They are dedicated to your cooperative with the support of our visionary Board of Directors who spend countless hours guiding the execution of Our Cooperative Roadmap.

Federal funding cancellations affecting projects are indeed disappointing — and confusing as the entire industry faces challenges brought on by significant increases in electric demand. Our actions are focused on physics, not politics, and we will continue to make sure we have a diverse portfolio of hyper-localized resources, coupled with power from a variety of transmission-delivered electricity. 

We recently contracted for the Fortress Project, a 200 megawatt (MW) solar project supported by 150 MW of battery storage. Combined with our existing 119 MW of batteries, United Power leads the way in the West.

Data centers receive a lot of blame for increasing energy costs, but that is only a fraction of the pressure on rates. While there is a narrative that data centers support the artificial intelligence invading our lives, many of us believe requiring these companies to invest in upgrades and support of renewable energy mandates will actually help lower rates. United Power’s LIT (location, investment, and timing) process requires developers of large projects to pay for the costs of infrastructure. This process, once further utilized and refined, is expected to be a model for other utilities.

There are other realities we are facing. The inflationary pressures on equipment are dramatic. We see this in our everyday lives at the grocery store but certainly in the materials we need to purchase to keep the lights on. Over the past several years the cost of things as simple as a basic work truck have gone up more than 30%, steel and aluminum have increased significantly due to tariffs, and health care costs continue to climb beyond the rate of inflation. 

At United Power we have moved ahead on a new asset management system that will allow us to focus on replacing equipment at the right time, manage inventory more efficiently, and understand problems before they spread widely. Additionally, the partnership with all of you, our members, as we move toward becoming a distribution system operator (DSO) means we will be able to aggregate local generation in support of the market when it comes in April 2026.

We do have some additional challenges that must be addressed. The lack of transmission — which is exacerbated by local utilities trying to control the lines for their own benefit — is one of the critical issues we are attacking. Meeting the state’s 2030 emissions requirements is harder because of this situation, but I am confident in the great team at United Power and their ability to find a solution.

As always, please feel free to reach out with any comments or questions. It is my honor to serve as your President and CEO and to lead this team of amazing people.

Sending Aid to Power the Navajo Nation

Miles of vacant desert land often separate homesteads in the sparsely populated territory of the Navajo Nation. The summer months are a grueling combination of temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and very little moisture. And many of the Nation’s people still endure the environment without access to electricity. 

The Light Up Navajo initiative was launched as a collaboration between the Navajo Tribal Utilities Authority (NTUA) and the American Public Power Association to bridge this gap in electrification. The initiative’s sixth project since 2019 aimed to power 175 homes in remote parts of the Nation this summer.

Four United Power lineworkers volunteered to participate in the summer project. They were dispatched to New Mexico for a week in July. The crew included Foreman Zach Reynolds, Journey Lineworkers Ted Pierce and Dillon Scroggins, and Apprentice Lineworker Isaiah Segoviano. 

“I did not know what to expect when I volunteered for this project,” said Reynolds. “It was a very humbling and eye-opening experience. It is crazy to think that we have the luxury of power every day, but we get upset and complain when the power goes out. Some of the Navajo people have lived more than 50 years without power.”

Reynolds and his crew would wake up as early as 5 a.m. to drive to the staging station before spending nearly an hour on the road to their work site. They spent the week setting poles and hanging line extensions under the hot sun. 

It was frequently a challenge to set poles because of the loose dirt embedded with small stones and rocks. Using traditional equipment to dig post holes was nearly impossible due to the conditions, and it was common for holes to collapse. 

The week ended with a larger project that included setting 40 poles to power a single residence on an isolated plot of land. Its occupants were the grandchildren of a former World War II code talker, a special unit of Marines who used their native Navajo language to create and transmit coded messages during the war. They were a crucial element in the victory. 

“He was a code talker and a prisoner of war,” said Reynolds. “He waited his whole life to see his home energized, but he sadly passed just before our project powered his home.” 

Reynolds said the NTUA emphasized meeting the families who received power.

“Meeting the families and hearing their testimonies was one of the most memorable experiences,” he said. “Until you see how they live, you don’t have any idea how impactful and life-changing this was for them.” 

United Power crews have volunteered to help with Light Up Navajo on three separate projects since July 2024. The cooperative will continue to support this initiative on future projects. 

Brighton, CO – United Power, Inc. today announced it has entered into an agreement with Aypa Power for the Fortress project, a hybrid renewable energy project that will combine 200 megawatts (MW) of solar with 150 MW / 600 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery energy storage near the City of Brush in Morgan County.
 
Scheduled to come online in 2027, Fortress will generate and store power for United Power members under a long-term power purchase agreement. The project supports the cooperative’s ongoing efforts to strengthen grid reliability and manage long-term power supply costs through a more diverse and locally sourced energy portfolio.
 
“United Power continues on a path to diversify and localize the power we purchase and deliver to our members,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and CEO. “We are investing in local projects that create a more robust generation system, which, in turn, will help us stabilize electric costs while investing in area economies. As the country grapples with the rising price of electricity, the cooperative is actively managing costs and seeking additional local generation resources. We believe our vision of a hyperlocalized electric system is the future of power production and it is an investment that will benefit all our members.”
 
Since leaving its former wholesale power provider in May of 2024, United Power has continued to invest in a portfolio of locally produced power sources, including several renewable energy and battery storage projects. Projects like Fortress represent significant investments in the state, helping ensure tax revenue and job creation benefit the communities United Power serves, while supporting a more resilient and member-focused energy network.

“Aypa Power is pleased to partner with United Power to bring the first phase of a 600 MW solar and battery storage complex online in Colorado,” said Dan Santelli, Chief Commercial Operator at Aypa Power. “Fortress will deliver low-cost energy and provide critical reliability, while supporting United Power’s commitment to dependable and locally sourced power.”

To learn more about United Power’s energy transition and its power portfolio, 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 Aypa Power

Aypa Power, a Blackstone portfolio company, develops, owns, and operates utility-scale energy storage and hybrid renewable energy projects across North America. With 30 projects currently in operation or under construction, and a development pipeline exceeding 22 gigawatts, Aypa delivers solutions that strengthen grid reliability, integrate renewable energy, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Aypa has been at the forefront of energy storage development since its first energy storage project came online in 2018. For more information, follow Aypa Power on LinkedIn or visit www.aypapower.com.

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Proactive Strategies to Protect Members & Communities

A small neighborhood on the northeast side of the Gross Dam Reservoir in Coal Creek Canyon was evacuated late last summer after a fire erupted at a work site in the community. The Lake Shore Fire damaged at least two structures and burned nearly seven acres before it was contained. Although United Power members were minimally impacted due to the rapid response of local emergency management teams, the close call demonstrates the reality of wildfire risks in Colorado.

October is nationally recognized as Fire Prevention Month, but for the cooperative, every day is an ongoing effort to improve fire mitigation strategies that protect members and communities. United Power debuted its first official Wildfire Mitigation Plan in 2019 to highlight existing programs and guide future initiatives. It directs the cooperative to implement industry-leading strategies and utilize innovative technologies that identify and address risk factors. Like Our Cooperative Roadmap, the plan evolves each year through review and revision, accounting for emerging technology and new data about the service territory. 

“A wildfire mitigation plan is essential for any electric utility and is top of mind at United Power,” said Adam Dillon, Vice President of Operations. “Not only does it prepare us for a wildfire event and help protect our communities, it also helps improve our system reliability and keeps us engaged with the communities we serve.”

The single largest element of the plan is its robust and aggressive approach to vegetation management, which includes clearing rights-of-way and increasing accessibility to electrical equipment for maintenance and outage restoration. Clearing overgrowth is critical and removes hazards that could create an ignition or fuel source. The cooperative onboarded a new solution for efficiently scheduling and tracking vegetation management projects called AiDash in 2021. The sophisticated software leverages artificial intelligence with satellite imagery to establish growth patterns and identify risks in real time. The implementation was so successful that AiDash recognized United Power for its impact on wildfire risk reduction.

One of the cooperative’s challenges in wildfire mitigation is serving a rugged mountain territory with difficult terrain for crews to inspect efficiently. United Power recently enhanced its drone inspection program with light detection and ranging imaging — more commonly known as LiDAR — to map high risk areas and conduct line inspections. This imaging helps quickly identify issues so that repairs can be made sooner. The first flights took place late last year with additional focus earlier this summer.

The implementation of AiDash and LiDAR continues the cooperative’s historical trend of reviewing and deploying new technology in innovative ways that improve system resiliency and mitigate wildfire risk. The cooperative has long been an industry leader for its deployment of automated smart devices, which allows the cooperative to quickly restore power during an outage or cut the flow of power during high-risk fire weather. United Power also uses infrared cameras to detect heat signatures at its substations and sensors strategically located in high-risk areas that can detect smoke and gas particulates. 

“We are always looking at ways to improve our mitigation plan,” said Travis Rodlin, Mountain Area Manager. “Technology is ever changing. Our use of artificial intelligence may increase as it evolves to improve speed and efficiency of our evaluations and efforts. Hybrid undergrounding is also being researched within the industry, which could benefit areas where undergrounding was not previously cost effective or possible.”

United Power has developed operational procedures, called Wildfire Safety Mode, that are enacted when the National Weather Service issues Red Flag Warnings. These warnings mean the combination of weather conditions — high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds — increase the risk of fire danger. While in wildfire safety mode, the system will automatically de-energize line segments when foreign objects are detected, and they will remain off until crews have completed a manual inspection. Another inspection is completed after power is restored. This may temporarily increase outage restoration times but substantially increases safety and reduces fire risk. 

“Ultimately, wildfire mitigation cannot be the sole responsibility of any single utility,” Rodlin said. “It requires a community-wide commitment. Proactive measures like home hardening, creating defensible space, and property-wide mitigation are essential to help our communities be better prepared. That is why we actively collaborate at the county and state levels and will continue to support local efforts to build a more resilient community together.” 

Members can learn more about the cooperative’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan here.