1. 03/19/2024 - 11:26 AM
    Balloting Open in 2024 United Power Director Election Tuesday | March 19, 2024 Balloting in the Director Election is open. Members may cast ballots electronically or via paper ballot, mailed March 15. Read more >
  2. 03/17/2025 - 03:12 PM
    Title Balloting Open in 2025 United Power Director Election /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/0_BoardNominations_0.jpg?h=45932144&itok=lhOa2zqi Monday | March 17, 2025 Card Teaser Electronic balloting now open; paper ballots mailed March 14. Electronic Balloting Now Open; Paper Ballots Mailed March 14 Brighton, CO – Balloting in United Power’s 2025 Director Election is open. Members of the cooperative have the option to cast their ballots electronically through their online account or via paper ballot, mailed to members on Friday, March 14. Electronic and mail ballots must be received by 11:59 a.m. on April 15. Members may also vote in person at the cooperative’s Annual Meeting on April 16. United Power encourages all members to cast their votes in the annual Director Election. Voting allows members to have a voice in their board representation and helps the cooperative better serve its members. Members may return their mail ballot via the postage-paid envelope included in the ballot packet, or they can log into their online account to cast an electronic ballot. Members voting online can access the ballot by clicking the “Vote Now” button. Three positions on United Power’s Board are up for election this year – one seat in the North, Central, and South Districts. The director candidates are Ursula J. Morgan (incumbent) in the North District; Keith Alquist (incumbent) in the Central District; and Ryan Keefer and Beth Martin (incumbent) in the South District. Candidate statements are available online.  Directors represent all members and are elected on an “at-large” basis to four-year terms. This means members may cast a vote for a director in each district and not just their own. Directors serve in geographic districts to ensure equitable representation of United Power’s member base in the cooperative’s governing body. Director Election results will be announced at the 2025 Annual Meeting, held at the Riverdale Regional Park & Fairgrounds in Brighton on April 16. Registration for the meeting opens at 4:30 p.m. and balloting closes at the beginning of the official business meeting at 6:30 p.m. A livestream of the meeting will be hosted on the cooperative’s website at www.unitedpower.com/annual-meeting.  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 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. ###  
  3. 03/13/2026 - 12:35 PM
    Balloting Open in 2026 United Power Director Election Friday | March 13, 2026 Electronic balloting now open; paper ballots mailed March 13. Read more >
  4. 01/23/2019 - 02:04 PM
    Title Battery Storage System Goes Live /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Nov2018_NL_BatteryStorage.png?itok=a6JRUr2b Thursday | November 1, 2018 Card Teaser Earlier this month, United Power went live with its much anticipated battery storage facility at its new west office, located on the I-25 Frontage Road south of state Highway 119. Earlier this month, United Power went live with its much anticipated battery storage facility at its new west office, located on the I-25 Frontage Road south of state Highway 119. The project, developed in collaboration with ENGIE, is the largest utility battery storage facility in Colorado.  The introduction of battery storage to United Power’s portfolio will allow the cooperative to save an expected $1 million each year in wholesale capacity charges. Energy generated from all sources on United Power’s grid will be stored during low-demand hours to be discharged during high-peak periods throughout the year.  United Power’s primary goal for its battery storage facility is peak shaving, but it also better positions the cooperative to respond to future innovation and development within the energy environment.  “Understanding storage is the next logical step in the progression of renewable generation,” said Jerry Marizza, United Power’s New Business Director. “Without the ability to store energy, renewables will have an artificial cap placed on its utilization.”  On bright days when the sun is shining, solar fields may collect more energy than can be immediately used. Without proper storage capabilities, that excess energy is lost. Allowing the capture of both wind and solar energy produced at off-peak times when demand is low conserves energy and saves money. “As a co-op, we have an obligation to our communities and individual members to explore these new options to meet this ever changing energy environment,” Marizza said.  The Tesla battery system United Power and ENGIE utilized for this project is a larger version of the lithium ion battery found in Tesla’s popular electric vehicles. Through years of testing and refinement, Tesla batteries have become the industry standard in energy storage.  The system has the capacity to store and distribute up to four megawatts of energy, or enough to power up to 700 homes simultaneously. Size and duration of the batteries used was determined during a study of United Power’s monthly load profile. “As one of the fastest growing co-ops in Colorado, United Power wants to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to integrating new technology that can help boost reliability and keep costs down,” said John Parker, United Power CEO, during the project announcement this past year. “Energy storage will play an important role in the grid of the future, and we’re excited to be starting now.” The new battery storage facility builds on United Power’s reputation for adopting and implementing innovative technology, such as the Sol Partners Cooperative Solar Farm – the first of its kind in Colorado – and Methane to Megawatts Project at the Erie Landfill – only the second of its kind in the state. More than just renewables, these projects also make economic sense for our members while providing reliable energy. 
  5. 01/23/2019 - 11:10 AM
    Beat the Heat...and Your Energy Bill Monday | September 3, 2018 If you’ve seen your electric usage trickle up over the past couple months, it might have something to do with Colorado’s hot summer weather. Read more >
  6. 06/17/2021 - 09:51 AM
    Title Beating the Heat & Summer Demand /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/JulyAug2019_NL_AirConditioning.jpg?itok=Bka7-6IY Thursday | June 17, 2021 Card Teaser June is here and summer is just around the corner. With many people still working from home as we approach summer, electricity usage is going to be important to watch. June is here and summer is just around the corner. With many people still working from home as we approach summer, electricity usage is going to be important to watch. Your air conditioning is one of the most demand intensive appliances in your home, accounting for more than 15 percent of your total energy usage. This means members will begin to see their demand charge rise to include the use of this additional appliance. However, United Power was able to prevent rates from increasing this year, which means summer electric bills should remain fairly similar to bills from a year ago, depending on the weather. United Power provides free member tools to assist in monitoring and controlling your energy usage. The Power Portal, for example, provides a custom dashboard detailing energy usage patterns and identifying peak demand allowing members to determine what behaviors are driving their demand. The cooperative’s custom demand calculator can give members an idea of what appliances are consuming the most energy and are the greatest contributors to demand charges. With air conditioning being the main driver of summer energy usage, United Power also starting offering rebates on ENERGY STAR A/C units this past summer. The majority of summer energy efficiency tips revolve around creative ways to keep your home cool without overburdening your air conditioning, which has already been difficult during the early part of the summer.  You can find some of these energy saving tips on our website. For these tips, information about demand, available rebates and more, please visit the Understanding Demand page. For quick and simple energy tips, visit our Energy Savings page. 
  7. 11/11/2021 - 09:54 AM
    Beneficial Electrification: What It Is & Why It Matters Thursday | November 11, 2021 Beneficial electrification is electricity produced by environmentally friendly means that saves money and/or improves quality of life. Also known as "strategic" electrification. Read more >
  8. 05/02/2024 - 01:12 PM
    Board Approves June 1 Rate Increase Thursday | May 2, 2024 Increase to fund wholesale power contract exit. Read more >
  9. 05/30/2018 - 11:39 AM
    Title Board Approves Modest Rate Increase for 2017 /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/2017_01_04_ModestRateIncrease.jpg?itok=CfIx_FJ4 Tuesday | January 24, 2017 Card Teaser United Power’s Board of Directors approved a rate increase of 2.79 percent for residential and commercial members in 2017. Increase Offsets 4.23 percent Wholesale Power Increase from Tri-State United Power’s Board of Directors approved a rate increase of 2.79 percent for residential and commercial members in 2017. The rate increase, coupled with cost containment efforts, will offset the 4.23 percent increase in wholesale power from Tri-State Generation and Transmission, United Power’s wholesale power supplier. The average residential member will see an increase of less than $3 a month in their bill, while commercial members will see just under a $13 increase. The rate increase would become effective for usage beginning February 1st, so members will not see the increase until their March, 2017 bill. “The board and staff worked hard looking at the ways we could contain operating costs to lessen the impact of this increase on our members,” said Darryl Schriver, CEO. “This modest increase will help the cooperative remain financially healthy, and should make a minimal impact on most members’ electric bills.” Tri-State Generation and Transmission, a generation cooperative headquartered in Westminster, provides wholesale power to 43 distribution cooperatives in a four state region, including United Power. Tri-State indicated that both increased expenses and lower revenues have made the increase necessary. An unexpected mid-year increase in power costs from one of their larger suppliers, coupled with increased costs of producing power is stated to be key drivers of their expense increases. Tri-State states that cost increases are being driven by regulatory compliance, additional environmental controls and increases to basic fuel and production costs. Tri-State is also forecasting a reduction in revenue, due in part to lagging oil and gas production, slow growth, and closure of several large manufacturing and energy production facilities throughout their territory. In 2014, United Power absorbed most of a 1.6 percent wholesale power cost increase by adjusting rates to a handful of rate classes, and reducing some operational costs. In 2015 only one industrial rate was adjusted even though many costs continued to increase for the cooperative. “I am pleased with the effort both the board and staff made to find a rate solution that balanced the cooperative’s financial health and the well-being of our members,” Schriver said. “We remain committed to looking out for all our members, while continuing to build a system that delivers safe and reliable power.”
  10. 01/23/2019 - 03:46 PM
    Board Approves Rate Changes Monday | December 3, 2018 United Power’s Board of Directors approved a rate change for 2019 that separates energy and demand charges and includes a modest 1.5-2% rate increase for most members. Read more >
  11. 11/12/2020 - 01:03 PM
    Title Board Commits Additional $300,000 to Co-op Cares Fund /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/04_10_2020_CoopCaresFund.jpg?h=45932144&itok=ItS-xyIb Thursday | November 12, 2020 Card Teaser United Power's board of directors approved an additional $50,000 to add to the original allocation earlier this year and $250,000 more to help members in 2021. United Power Board of Directors Allocates an Additional $300,000 to Co-op Cares Fund to Support Members Economically Affected by the COVID 19 Pandemic Brighton, CO – United Power’s Board of Directors approved an additional $50,000 to add to the $250,000 allocated earlier in the year to be earmarked for members financially impacted by COVID 19 through the remainder of 2020. The board has also generously authorized another $250,000 to help members in 2021. The money for this fund is allocated from the cooperative’s unclaimed capital credits. The Co-op Cares Fund is designed to assist members who have been directly impacted by COVID 19 – particularly those who have been affected by illness and job losses. “The Co-op Cares Fund has been an important pillar in our strategy to provide support to our members during this difficult time and complements the many other ways United Power is helping our members weather this situation,” stated Bryant Robbins, interim CEO. “Through this program, United Power is providing $550,000 in direct assistance to our members who are being financially impacted by COVID-19. We are proud to have already provided more than $270,000 in assistance to more than 1,500 members so far this year.” In addition to the Co-op Cares Fund, United Power has various means of helping members stay on top of their electric bills including payment arrangements, extensions, prepay, budget billing, and assistance from local agencies. United Power encourages members to contact us so we can connect them with the most appropriate assistance program for their situation. “United Power has several ways to help members when they are having difficulty paying their electric bills,” stated Robbins. “All we are asking our members to do is pick up the phone and call us if they are having difficulty paying their bill. We can’t help you if we don’t know you are struggling.” The Co-op Cares Fund will be available for assistance through the end of 2021, or when the fund is depleted. United Power members who are impacted by the current health emergency or any other situation can reach our Member Services department at 303-637-1300. United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative delivering electricity to nearly 95,000 meters at homes, businesses, and farms in Colorado's north-central front range. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media at facebook.com/unitedpower or twitter.com/unitedpowercoop. ###
  12. 05/11/2022 - 10:25 AM
    Title Board Directors Earn NRECA Certificates /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/0_DirectorElection.jpg?h=45932144&itok=gRwpyf9E Wednesday | May 11, 2022 Card Teaser Five Directors Earn Gold Certificate; Two Earn Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate Five Directors Earn Gold Certificate; Two Earn CCD United Power’s Board of Directors is committed to continuing education opportunities that enable them to govern the cooperative more effectively and stay informed about industry changes. In the past few months, several directors have completed or renewed director certifications through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). The cooperative’s two newest directors, Stephen Whiteside and Brad Case, received their Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) certificates late last year, and Dave Rose earned his Director Gold certification. Directors Tim Erickson, James Vigesaa, Ginny Buczek, and Elizabeth Martin have also recently renewed their Director Gold certificates. NRECA’s three-step Director Education Program is designed to teach essential skills and knowledge through a series of educational courses. The first step in the process is the CCD, which helps prepare directors to fulfill their fiduciary duty as elected officials on behalf of their membership. Once the program has been completed, directors can proceed to the Board Leadership Certificate (BLC). Directors who have completed both the CCD and BLC, plus an additional three BLC credits, are eligible to earn Director Gold certification. To maintain Director Gold certification, directors must earn at least three credits from approved continuing education courses within a two-year period. All of United Power’s directors are committed to achieving the highest levels of certification and professional training for the benefit of the cooperative and the members they represent. As of February, all eleven directors have completed at least the CCD certification and nine directors have received Director Gold certification.