Title
LEGAL NOTICE: United Power Bylaw Amendment Proposed
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Bylaw_Update.jpg?h=45932144&itok=ThxJM1f2
Friday | June 6, 2025
Card Teaser
The Board of Directors proposes the following amendments to United Power's bylaws.

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

Title
United Power Announces 2025 Scholarship Recipients
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/May2018_NL_Scholarships.png?h=45932144&itok=4jCIAZii
Tuesday | June 3, 2025
Card Teaser
This year, the cooperative awarded more than $35,000 in scholarships.

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.

###
 

Title
United Power Promotes Matt Bartlett to Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/images/Images_News/_DSC8999.jpg?h=2d828ae9&itok=cjSLqr09
Wednesday | May 28, 2025
Card Teaser
Bartlett joined United Power in 2018 as the co-op's IT Infrastructure Manager and most recently served as VP of IT Infrastructure and Operations.

2025_MattBartlett_667x1000.jpgUnited 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.”

Title
Tyler Bain Appointed to Colorado Electrical Board
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/ColoradoSeal_1320x860.jpg?h=45932144&itok=J_QgaPRR
Monday | May 26, 2025
Card Teaser
The board is responsible for enforcing state electrical statutes.

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. 

Title
May Message from Mark A. Gabriel
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/CEO_Message_85.jpg?h=45932144&itok=fpbFupeq
Thursday | May 1, 2025
Card Teaser
A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.

MarkGabriel__2025_400x500.jpgSeveral years ago, while working for the federal government, I had the opportunity to spend time aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. The captain explained that aircraft carriers are focused on being a “forward projection of force.” I enjoyed my time with the crew of 4,000 and the leadership command team as they went about the complex duties of operating the finest example of U.S. power in the middle of the ocean. 

Part of my experience included a tailhook landing in a COD (carrier onboard delivery) plane that appears way too big to land on anything but a runway, as well as a catapult takeoff. When preparing for takeoff, there is a tremendous amount of noise, confusion, and turmoil. Once hooked onto the catapult, the noise cuts through your body and your vision blurs. The anticipation of the launch is an adrenaline rush. Then a strange thing happens; the noise disappears as the plane clears the runway, dips off the deck, and heads into the air. The flight at that point is quiet and smooth, heading toward its destination. There may be occasional turbulence, but flight plans are executed with great precision.

A year ago, there was a lot of noise as your cooperative awaited takeoff on the catapult to independence. Like the catapult takeoff, silence quickly replaced the noise. The co-op’s flight plan — also known as Our Cooperative Roadmap — is being executed with great precision. United Power is the forward projection of force, taking action to meet the needs today and in the future.  

There are headwinds and tailwinds on the energy horizon. The West may find itself short of capacity, the critical back-up generation resource to ensure grid reliability. It, and specifically United Power, will also find it has plenty of energy thanks to more and more people adding their own generating resources, coupled with new solar and wind facilities. The headwinds and tailwinds mean there will be times of excess and inexpensive power and times when things are tight.

Electricity has never been more important to our homes, businesses, and communities. United Power, like many other utilities, is finding the need to balance each new opportunity with the realities of power supply. We have created the LIT process to work with potential large commercial and industrial members, which focuses on three key items: location, investment, and timing. The good news for United Power is our history of ensuring growth pays its own way. The better news is that companies want to be in your cooperative’s territory.

Part of United Power’s flight plan involves the strategy to hyper-localize generation and storage resources. This is one way we will maintain reliability, as well as add to the local tax base. We have added a new gas-fired power plant and 115 MW of battery storage located at substations across our system. The battery array is the largest in Colorado and most likely the West, allowing us to buy power when prices are low and use it when prices are high. As a matter of fact, this month marks the first time United Power actively managed the deployment of power from two of our battery systems to meet a contingency reserve need on the system. The batteries improve and support our grid and leverage the storage capacity for financial benefit.

Our flight plan also includes becoming a distribution system operator (DSO), which allows the management of systems in concert with each other and not just individual pieces. As on the aircraft carrier, everything will be coordinated to manage costs and keep the lights on. This means members can offer their self-generation or storage to United Power as an aggregator that gets sold back to the market. It also means the possibility of smoothing out demand through the system to lower overall costs and the better use of resources in a capacity constrained world.

For three days on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, I witnessed the tight coordination of people, safely navigating in open ocean while defending our nation. At United Power, I see the tight coordination of our tremendous staff, supported by the oversight of your Board who lead the cooperative. We have nailed the landing, cleared the takeoff, and are flying ahead. Full steam ahead. 

Title
United Power Commits to Purchase Generation from Natural Gas Facility
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/images/Images_News/_DSC8999.jpg?h=2d828ae9&itok=cjSLqr09
Tuesday | April 29, 2025
Card Teaser
Alliance Energy partners with United Power on a power purchase agreement for the output of the Brush II natural gas generation project.

Alliance Energy Partners with United Power 

Brighton, CO – United Power, Inc. (United Power), an electric cooperative serving Colorado’s northern front range, announces the signing of a power purchase agreement for the output of the Brush II natural gas generation project. Located in Brush, Colorado, the 70-megawatt facility is owned and operated by Alliance Energy Group, LLC (Alliance Energy). 

“United Power is continuing to add resources that make sense for our cooperative members and Brush II is a critical step as we expand our power portfolio,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “Natural gas generation is a vital link to balancing the many renewable resources currently in the cooperative’s power mix. The integration of renewable generation is complemented by natural gas resources and is vital to keeping our system delivering power no matter how high the demand. This facility will be able to quickly ramp up and dispatch power exactly when we need it most. Our vision to diversify and hyper-localize power production will pay dividends to cooperative members in an increasingly volatile energy market.”

Alliance Energy will be responsible for the facility’s operation and maintenance, with United Power purchasing all the power it produces. 

“Brush II is a reliable generation resource that is an integral part of the Colorado supply stack and Alliance Energy will help ensure the quality of the resources for United Power’s cooperative members,” said Sam Nappi, Founder and Chairman, Alliance Energy. “Alliance is proud to partner with United Power. This long-term partnership provides surety for the current staff employed at the facility, keeping jobs in Brush for years to come.” 

The Brush II unit has been in operation since 1994, and has been owned by Alliance Energy since May of 2022, when it was purchased from AltaGas. United Power will begin accepting generation from the site on Jan. 1, 2026. 

Learn more about United Power and its ongoing energy transition plans 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 nearly 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 Alliance Energy Group

Our mission at Alliance Energy is to safely provide a clean, reliable supply of electricity to meet the critical demands of our society, while simultaneously maintaining a high level of environmental stewardship. Alliance Energy specializes in all aspects of the energy industry; from electric power generation and marketing, to mergers and acquisitions, to the exploration, production and transportation of natural gas, to research and development activities into other emerging markets. 

###
 

Balloon Safety Around Power Lines

Tuesday | April 29, 2025
Balloons can become dangerous when they get loose and contact energized power lines.

Title
United Power Hosts Annual Meeting on April 16
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/AnnualMeeting_2025_1320x860.jpg?h=45932144&itok=--Nl6XeG
Tuesday | April 22, 2025
Card Teaser
Three incumbents re-elected in 2025 Director Election.

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.

###