Our Vision in a Rapidly Evolving Energy Industry

The electric utility industry is undergoing a significant refocus on everything from technology to power supply. The delivery model of today will look vastly different in the next decade. Grid technology is improving, energy markets are evolving, and member demands and expectations are changing. United Power must be prepared to adapt quickly and respond proactively to shifts in an ever-changing environment. We recognize the wealth of opportunities - and challenges - that come with these changes. 

Our mission as your local electric cooperative is to safely and responsibly deliver reliable electricity and excellent service to our members. To continue delivering on that promise, we must identify the range of potential futures that we need to prepare for, harness our strengths, recognize where growth and investments are required, and develop innovative approaches to proactively address challenges. 

It is, therefore, critical United Power ensures all the pieces work together to optimize financial investments, operating efficiencies, and resources. The intent of our cooperative roadmap is to document organizational objectives to create an alignment from the Board of Directors to every employee and, in turn, our members. 

Guiding Principles

The following principles guide our decisions and were used in the development of our cooperative roadmap. These are the lenses through which we evaluate options such as reimagining our power supply, integrating new technologies, preparing for future markets, and supporting the needs of the workforce.

Reliability

Strive to deliver high-quality, uninterrupted service to our members through the design, operation, protection, and maintenance of a failure-resistant and resilient electric distribution system.

Affordability

Continually seek fair and equitable wholesale rates, manage distribution costs in a highly efficient manner, and responsibly allocate those costs across our membership with stable and transparent rate options.

Flexibility

Demonstrate maximum agility and adaptiveness through forward-looking plans; versatile, innovative programs and business models; and diverse power supply options as we respond to changes in our environment and the needs of our members and community.

Responsibility

Act honestly, ethically, sustainably, and in the best interest of our members and communities as we manage operations and secure resources.

Empower and Engage Our Membership and Community

Engage with our members in meaningful ways. Support our members where they live. Support economic development in the communities where we serve. 

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Provide Flexible, Affordable, Sustainable Power and Services

Explore power supply options. Offer Energy-as-a-service (EAAS) programs for our members. 

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Continuously Optimize Our Electric Distribution System

Expand our electric distribution system capacity, considerate of aggressive growth. Execute targeted maintenance, considerate of reliability. Implement design and operational practices, considerate of the future, safety, and risk.

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Achieve Business Agility and Resilience Through IT/OT Synergy

Expand system operations capabilities. Progress Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Meter Data Management (MDM) solutions. Advance technology, infrastructure, enterprise processes, and enterprise systems.

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Recent Roadmap Posts

Roadmap: Optimizing Our Distribution System

Friday | September 16, 2022
United Power is proud to manage a comprehensive maintenance plan that has produced one of the most r...
United Power caught the attention of electric distribution co-ops in April when it filed its non-con...

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United Power Joins Southwest Power Pool
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Thursday | June 23, 2022
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United Power is the first distribution utility in the Western Interconnection to join the SPP.

Brighton, CO - United Power, an electric cooperative based in Brighton, Colorado, is the first distribution utility in the Western Interconnection to join the Southwest Power Pool (SPP). SPP is a regional transmission organization (RTO), a nonprofit corporation mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure reliable supplies of power, adequate transmission infrastructure, and competitive wholesale electricity prices on behalf of its members.

“Since United Power is leaving our current wholesale power supplier in 2024, it is important that we seek out memberships and partnerships that will help us assure a reliable power source at the lowest cost possible,” stated Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and CEO. “Our membership with SPP is one of the critical pieces we wanted in place as we move toward a new energy future for our members.”

SPP works as an aggregator of generation resources, dispatching the power where it is needed. The value of belonging to an RTO is multi-pronged for cooperatives like United Power. The power pool is charged with building reliability and predictability into their power marketplace and helping to reduce the risks that come with varying weather conditions. It is also committed to providing the lowest cost power available to serve its members, minute by minute.

The SPP is responsible for identifying power needs for the region it serves. Members of SPP will have an active role in determining where new transmission is built and will be able to have their interests represented directly.

“Membership matters. Our membership in SPP means we will have a meaningful say in the strategic direction of the organization,” stated Gabriel. “Members have an active role in determining how this new energy market develops and how the organization grows. We will be able to directly represent the interests of all United Power members.”

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 cooperatives in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 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. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

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United Power Hosts Member Forum to Discuss Power Supply
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Monday | June 13, 2022
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United Power held a member forum on June 7 to discuss the upcoming exit from its current wholesale power contract.

United Power held a member forum on June 7 to discuss the upcoming exit from its current wholesale power contract and highlight opportunities to purchase low cost, high reliability power that is produced in an environmentally responsible manner. In April, the cooperative filed a nonconditional Notice of Intent to Withdraw from Tri-State Generation and Transmission, reaffirming its decision to leave its wholesale power supplier. The withdrawal is effective May 1, 2024. 

Mark A. Gabriel, United Power’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and Dean Hubbuck, the cooperative’s Chief Energy Resources Officer, discussed the exit process, goals of the transition, and impact to members with both in person and virtual attendees. Gabriel reassured members the shift in power suppliers would not affect their status as members of the cooperative and the exit was ultimately about controlling costs and potentially lowering rates. 

“We’re working diligently so that we can save money,” Gabriel said. “If we can control costs and if we can manage to get better pricing out in the market, we are able then to lower rates. I think that’s something that’s critical as a member-owned cooperative.”

Hubbuck provided a high-level overview of various steps the cooperative has taken to negotiate a fair and equitable contract termination fee through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, including several recent decisions in favor of United Power, and its recent request for proposal (RFP) for new power supply. 

“We are expecting a healthy response to our RFP, which is due in the early part of August,” Hubbuck said. “We’ll spend about two months evaluating proposals before selecting a handful of suppliers to work with directly. We hope to select a supplier, or group of suppliers, and begin contract negotiations early next year.” 

United Power has attempted to negotiate contract modifications with its wholesale power supplier, including an option for partial requirements, but has been met with resistance. The current contract no longer makes economic sense for the cooperative or its members. It limits local generation and member flexibility while rates are well above market price. 

“Historically, our wholesale power contract was entered into because, at that time, our most pressing issue was to secure a reliable source of power when very few viable options were available,” said Beth Martin, United Power’s Board Chairman. “Our situation has substantially changed, with more affordable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable power supply options now available. We believe we should deliver electricity that is more reflective of the current market price, ultimately helping our members save."

More information about United Power’s contract negotiations and transition to new power suppliers is available on the Power Supply page. Members who were unable to attend the Power Supply Forum can watch it here