Title
July/August Message from Mark A. Gabriel
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/CEO_Message.jpg?h=45932144&itok=pNegmSzP
Monday | July 5, 2021
Card Teaser
A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
My first four months as United Power’s President and Chief Executive Officer have been a whirlwind of activity and opportunity.
These are exciting times to be a part of the cooperative community and the electric utility business. From humble beginnings, rural electric cooperatives have transformed the energy enterprise serving members around the country. In June, United Power became one of the privileged few cooperatives that have surpassed 100,000 meters. Early in my career at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), I could only dream about the tools we have today. These advancements represent the culmination of decades of technological progress and changing social consciousness.
I came to United Power after eight years as Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Western Area Power Association (WAPA), where I was responsible for one of the largest grids in the US, bringing power to nearly 40 million Americans from 57 dams across the West. Prior to WAPA, I was a consultant and senior officer at EPRI. The growth and progress I have witnessed throughout my time in the industry, and the value it adds to our lives, continues to inspire me.
Technology has shifted the way our members use energy and increased its impact on their lives. More than 6,000 households on our lines have added solar systems to their rooftops and nearly 3,000 members are now driving an electric vehicle – myself included. Many more families are using smart devices in their homes — like Nest, Alexa and Google Home — to power their lives more efficiently. The changing patterns in energy usage and growing dependence on this resource are driving our industry’s future. Our relationship with members must change to meet these growing needs.
United Power must balance our members’ growing dependence on energy with a path toward environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability. This means pursuing energy alternatives that are clean, cost effective and beneficial. The affordability of renewable options, such as utility scale wind and solar, is driving down the costs of traditional options like natural gas as competition among resources increases. We have seen rapid expansion of battery storage projects as the technology becomes more viable and more affordable. United Power was among the early adopters of battery storage, and we are examining how we can take further advantage of this growing option for members.
There are many ongoing conversations about cyber security challenges, power supply, renewable energy and regional transmission organizations (and markets in general) happening in Colorado and across the country. I am proud to lead a team of professionals who are aware of the opportunities available to us and the challenges we must overcome. Their hard work and dedication have made United Power one of the leading distribution cooperatives in the nation. Our reputation gives us a voice on the national stage and allows us to be a driving force in the industry.
As members and our only stakeholders, your voice helps shape our strategies. We are here to understand and meet your needs. Cooperatives have the flexibility to make strategic changes and are nimble enough to make them in a timely manner. Whether you live on a large farm, own a home in a suburban neighborhood or operate a local business, we exist as an extension of our communities and are here to serve our members.
Those who came before me built a reputation for excellence here at United Power, and I look forward to building upon it. I want every member to feel empowered to reach out to me and our staff with questions, comments or concerns at any time. I welcome the opportunity to meet you where you are, so please do not hesitate to email me.
Have a safe and healthy summer.
Email Mark A. Gabriel
June Derecho Strikes Cooperative
Thursday | July 16, 2020
Derechos are fast-moving bands of thunderstorms featuring hurricane- or even tornado-like winds. June’s storm was Colorado’s first derecho and also one of the strongest on record.
Read more >
Title
Late Fall Message from Mark A. Gabriel
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Board/11_Board_Nov2021.jpg?itok=W2r3JXhl
Wednesday | October 26, 2022
Card Teaser
A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
It has been an eventful and exciting late summer and early fall. United Power was able to mitigate the financial impact of record peaks with the help of demand response and load control tools, such as our Smart Rewards thermostat program and our managed electric vehicle charging program, United EV.
At a time of the year when weather can create challenging situations for electric grids, our system held up well. The investments we made in our distribution network on our members’ behalf, combined with our active wildfire mitigation programs, resulted in few operating issues. We run one of the best networks in Colorado – and probably the country – thanks to the great staff and alignment with Our Cooperative Roadmap (Roadmap), which emphasizes a continual optimization of our distribution system.
Another key pillar in our Roadmap is providing flexible, affordable, and sustainable power. United Power is one step closer to obtaining lower cost, cleaner power for our members thanks to a recent ruling from an administrative law judge at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the cooperative’s exit fee from our current wholesale power supply contract. While this is just part of the process, it is a major step in the right direction.
Our decision to depart from our current supplier is based in economics. United Power members pay over market price for their power and transmission while living with a choke collar that caps our ability to generate local power at 5%. We are penalized for being more efficient and deploying innovative energy solutions, like battery storage. We are even prevented from adding resources within our footprint, meaning our communities do not receive the financial benefit of companies wanting to invest in renewables close to home.
It is important to remember the decision to seek FERC oversight was our power supplier’s alone. United Power did not support the decision for a number of critical reasons, chief among them the loss of local control to set rates, combine cooperative needs, and jointly manage costs.
In contrast, one of the greatest strengths we have as a cooperative is local control through your elected Board of Directors. This ties to another critical pillar in our Roadmap – empowering and engaging our members and communities. Your Board members come from your towns and understand the values and concerns of each community’s residents. They provide direct oversight of the cooperative and hold the power to establish rates, but they ultimately answer to members as representatives of their communities.
I have recently been honored to present on the topic of changes within the electric industry at local chambers of commerce and regional energy conferences. I would be pleased to address any similar organizations about the future of the industry and anticipated changes to it. If you are involved in a local organization wishing to hear about our initiatives, just send an email and someone will reach out to set up a presentation.
Finally, October was Cybersecurity Awareness Month. United Power remains vigilant to threats our system faces as we strive to achieve and maintain business agility and resiliency through information and operational technology, which is our fourth and final Roadmap pillar. We cannot let our guard down, given there are those who wish to do harm to the electric grid.
As always, please feel free to reach out to me with your questions and concerns. It is an honor and privilege to serve you and the great staff at United Power.
Title
Lawsuit Alleges Tri-State G&T Conspired to Mislead Cooperatives
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Touchstone_Energy_PowerLines_143.jpg?itok=TSmWi5we
Monday | May 4, 2020
Card Teaser
United Power lawsuit outlines impact of the fraudulent actions of its power supplier.
Lawsuit Alleges Tri-State Generation and Transmission Conspired to Mislead Cooperative Members
United Power Lawsuit Outlines Impact of Fraudulent Actions of Power Supplier
Brighton, CO – United Power today filed a lawsuit in Adams County District Court alleging that their power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission recruited three non-utility entities as part of a conspiracy to defraud United Power and try to hold it (and possibly other cooperative members) captive in expensive and restrictive power contracts. Court documents outline how the years-long scheme intentionally misled members and ultimately caused financial harm to United Power and the almost 95,000 meters it serves. Named along with Tri-State in the lawsuit are three non-utility entities – MIECO, Inc., Olson’s Greenhouses of Colorado, LLC, and Ellgen Ranch Company - whom Tri-State convinced to orchestrate the scheme designed to prevent the Colorado PUC from deciding a fair exit charge for United Power.
“We have only recently been made aware of these unacceptable transgressions at Tri-State. On behalf of the board and staff of United Power, I can only say that I am dismayed and disappointed by the actions of Tri-State’s staff and these non-utility entities who worked together to intentionally mislead United Power and any other members who were acting in good faith during this time,” stated Bryant Robbins, Acting CEO. “We have been transparent and ethical in our dealings, and we think it’s important that Tri-State and these other entities answer for their unethical behavior.”
Documents filed in District Court outline the years-long scheme to fraudulently direct the actions of United Power and other members to accept certain bylaw changes with the hidden agenda of allowing the admission of the three non-utility entities, in direct conflict with both State law and Tri-State’s own bylaws. United Power supported these bylaw changes with the belief that such changes would allow it to pursue a more flexible power supply arrangement with Tri-State. However, Tri-State suspended the use of the newly created class of membership immediately after utilizing the amended bylaw to allow these non-utility entities to join the membership under false pretenses. The suit contends that Tri-State directed the scheme that used the non-utility entities in an effort to secure FERC oversight and effectively eliminate the ability of the Colorado PUC to resolve matters such as exit fees and other potential disputes.
“United Power worked within the framework of the cooperative business model, intent on securing a solution that would support our sister cooperatives and provide some financial relief for our members while allowing us to stay within the Tri-State family,” stated Robbins. “Unfortunately, Tri-State was working behind the scenes with ulterior motives taking measures that would essentially handcuff United Power to the current restrictive contract.”
Two cooperatives have already left or are in the process of leaving the Westminster-based generation cooperative – New Mexico-based Kit Carson in 2016 and Delta-Montrose Electric Association pending final approval to leave in 2020 – both cited similar concerns with power supply flexibility and pricing in their exits. United Power had been working to secure a fair and just exit charge from Tri-State, but ultimately filed a case with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission when they were unable to make progress in negotiations with Tri-State. Since that time, Tri-State has continued to resist negotiations, all the while working behind the scenes to defraud the membership through a secret initiative intended to eventually prevent United Power from exiting Tri-State.
“We strongly believe the evidence supports why it has become very difficult to trust the intentions of our power supplier,” stated Robbins. “In filing this case, we hope that Tri-State and the three non-utility entities will have to answer for their ongoing deception.”
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative delivering electricity to nearly 95,000 meters at homes, business, 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. ###
Leading the Way in Renewable Power
Monday | October 1, 2018
From energizing Colorado’s first community solar field to implementing an innovative methane recapture project, United Power has been at the forefront of providing renewable energy options to our members.
Read more >
LEGAL NOTICE: 2025 Annual Meeting of Members
Tuesday | March 18, 2025
The Annual Meeting of Members of United Power will be held Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Waymire Dome at the Riverdale Regional Park.
Read more >
LEGAL NOTICE: 2026 Annual Meeting of Members
Monday | March 16, 2026
The Annual Meeting of Members of United Power will be held Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the Waymire Dome at Riverdale Regional Park.
Read more >
Title
July/August Message from Mark A. Gabriel
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/CEO_Message.jpg?h=45932144&itok=pNegmSzP
Monday | July 5, 2021
Card Teaser
A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
My first four months as United Power’s President and Chief Executive Officer have been a whirlwind of activity and opportunity.
These are exciting times to be a part of the cooperative community and the electric utility business. From humble beginnings, rural electric cooperatives have transformed the energy enterprise serving members around the country. In June, United Power became one of the privileged few cooperatives that have surpassed 100,000 meters. Early in my career at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), I could only dream about the tools we have today. These advancements represent the culmination of decades of technological progress and changing social consciousness.
I came to United Power after eight years as Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Western Area Power Association (WAPA), where I was responsible for one of the largest grids in the US, bringing power to nearly 40 million Americans from 57 dams across the West. Prior to WAPA, I was a consultant and senior officer at EPRI. The growth and progress I have witnessed throughout my time in the industry, and the value it adds to our lives, continues to inspire me.
Technology has shifted the way our members use energy and increased its impact on their lives. More than 6,000 households on our lines have added solar systems to their rooftops and nearly 3,000 members are now driving an electric vehicle – myself included. Many more families are using smart devices in their homes — like Nest, Alexa and Google Home — to power their lives more efficiently. The changing patterns in energy usage and growing dependence on this resource are driving our industry’s future. Our relationship with members must change to meet these growing needs.
United Power must balance our members’ growing dependence on energy with a path toward environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability. This means pursuing energy alternatives that are clean, cost effective and beneficial. The affordability of renewable options, such as utility scale wind and solar, is driving down the costs of traditional options like natural gas as competition among resources increases. We have seen rapid expansion of battery storage projects as the technology becomes more viable and more affordable. United Power was among the early adopters of battery storage, and we are examining how we can take further advantage of this growing option for members.
There are many ongoing conversations about cyber security challenges, power supply, renewable energy and regional transmission organizations (and markets in general) happening in Colorado and across the country. I am proud to lead a team of professionals who are aware of the opportunities available to us and the challenges we must overcome. Their hard work and dedication have made United Power one of the leading distribution cooperatives in the nation. Our reputation gives us a voice on the national stage and allows us to be a driving force in the industry.
As members and our only stakeholders, your voice helps shape our strategies. We are here to understand and meet your needs. Cooperatives have the flexibility to make strategic changes and are nimble enough to make them in a timely manner. Whether you live on a large farm, own a home in a suburban neighborhood or operate a local business, we exist as an extension of our communities and are here to serve our members.
Those who came before me built a reputation for excellence here at United Power, and I look forward to building upon it. I want every member to feel empowered to reach out to me and our staff with questions, comments or concerns at any time. I welcome the opportunity to meet you where you are, so please do not hesitate to email me.
Have a safe and healthy summer.
Email Mark A. Gabriel
June Derecho Strikes Cooperative
Thursday | July 16, 2020
Derechos are fast-moving bands of thunderstorms featuring hurricane- or even tornado-like winds. June’s storm was Colorado’s first derecho and also one of the strongest on record.
Read more >
Title
Late Fall Message from Mark A. Gabriel
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Board/11_Board_Nov2021.jpg?itok=W2r3JXhl
Wednesday | October 26, 2022
Card Teaser
A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
It has been an eventful and exciting late summer and early fall. United Power was able to mitigate the financial impact of record peaks with the help of demand response and load control tools, such as our Smart Rewards thermostat program and our managed electric vehicle charging program, United EV.
At a time of the year when weather can create challenging situations for electric grids, our system held up well. The investments we made in our distribution network on our members’ behalf, combined with our active wildfire mitigation programs, resulted in few operating issues. We run one of the best networks in Colorado – and probably the country – thanks to the great staff and alignment with Our Cooperative Roadmap (Roadmap), which emphasizes a continual optimization of our distribution system.
Another key pillar in our Roadmap is providing flexible, affordable, and sustainable power. United Power is one step closer to obtaining lower cost, cleaner power for our members thanks to a recent ruling from an administrative law judge at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the cooperative’s exit fee from our current wholesale power supply contract. While this is just part of the process, it is a major step in the right direction.
Our decision to depart from our current supplier is based in economics. United Power members pay over market price for their power and transmission while living with a choke collar that caps our ability to generate local power at 5%. We are penalized for being more efficient and deploying innovative energy solutions, like battery storage. We are even prevented from adding resources within our footprint, meaning our communities do not receive the financial benefit of companies wanting to invest in renewables close to home.
It is important to remember the decision to seek FERC oversight was our power supplier’s alone. United Power did not support the decision for a number of critical reasons, chief among them the loss of local control to set rates, combine cooperative needs, and jointly manage costs.
In contrast, one of the greatest strengths we have as a cooperative is local control through your elected Board of Directors. This ties to another critical pillar in our Roadmap – empowering and engaging our members and communities. Your Board members come from your towns and understand the values and concerns of each community’s residents. They provide direct oversight of the cooperative and hold the power to establish rates, but they ultimately answer to members as representatives of their communities.
I have recently been honored to present on the topic of changes within the electric industry at local chambers of commerce and regional energy conferences. I would be pleased to address any similar organizations about the future of the industry and anticipated changes to it. If you are involved in a local organization wishing to hear about our initiatives, just send an email and someone will reach out to set up a presentation.
Finally, October was Cybersecurity Awareness Month. United Power remains vigilant to threats our system faces as we strive to achieve and maintain business agility and resiliency through information and operational technology, which is our fourth and final Roadmap pillar. We cannot let our guard down, given there are those who wish to do harm to the electric grid.
As always, please feel free to reach out to me with your questions and concerns. It is an honor and privilege to serve you and the great staff at United Power.
Title
Lawsuit Alleges Tri-State G&T Conspired to Mislead Cooperatives
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Touchstone_Energy_PowerLines_143.jpg?itok=TSmWi5we
Monday | May 4, 2020
Card Teaser
United Power lawsuit outlines impact of the fraudulent actions of its power supplier.
Lawsuit Alleges Tri-State Generation and Transmission Conspired to Mislead Cooperative Members
United Power Lawsuit Outlines Impact of Fraudulent Actions of Power Supplier
Brighton, CO – United Power today filed a lawsuit in Adams County District Court alleging that their power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission recruited three non-utility entities as part of a conspiracy to defraud United Power and try to hold it (and possibly other cooperative members) captive in expensive and restrictive power contracts. Court documents outline how the years-long scheme intentionally misled members and ultimately caused financial harm to United Power and the almost 95,000 meters it serves. Named along with Tri-State in the lawsuit are three non-utility entities – MIECO, Inc., Olson’s Greenhouses of Colorado, LLC, and Ellgen Ranch Company - whom Tri-State convinced to orchestrate the scheme designed to prevent the Colorado PUC from deciding a fair exit charge for United Power.
“We have only recently been made aware of these unacceptable transgressions at Tri-State. On behalf of the board and staff of United Power, I can only say that I am dismayed and disappointed by the actions of Tri-State’s staff and these non-utility entities who worked together to intentionally mislead United Power and any other members who were acting in good faith during this time,” stated Bryant Robbins, Acting CEO. “We have been transparent and ethical in our dealings, and we think it’s important that Tri-State and these other entities answer for their unethical behavior.”
Documents filed in District Court outline the years-long scheme to fraudulently direct the actions of United Power and other members to accept certain bylaw changes with the hidden agenda of allowing the admission of the three non-utility entities, in direct conflict with both State law and Tri-State’s own bylaws. United Power supported these bylaw changes with the belief that such changes would allow it to pursue a more flexible power supply arrangement with Tri-State. However, Tri-State suspended the use of the newly created class of membership immediately after utilizing the amended bylaw to allow these non-utility entities to join the membership under false pretenses. The suit contends that Tri-State directed the scheme that used the non-utility entities in an effort to secure FERC oversight and effectively eliminate the ability of the Colorado PUC to resolve matters such as exit fees and other potential disputes.
“United Power worked within the framework of the cooperative business model, intent on securing a solution that would support our sister cooperatives and provide some financial relief for our members while allowing us to stay within the Tri-State family,” stated Robbins. “Unfortunately, Tri-State was working behind the scenes with ulterior motives taking measures that would essentially handcuff United Power to the current restrictive contract.”
Two cooperatives have already left or are in the process of leaving the Westminster-based generation cooperative – New Mexico-based Kit Carson in 2016 and Delta-Montrose Electric Association pending final approval to leave in 2020 – both cited similar concerns with power supply flexibility and pricing in their exits. United Power had been working to secure a fair and just exit charge from Tri-State, but ultimately filed a case with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission when they were unable to make progress in negotiations with Tri-State. Since that time, Tri-State has continued to resist negotiations, all the while working behind the scenes to defraud the membership through a secret initiative intended to eventually prevent United Power from exiting Tri-State.
“We strongly believe the evidence supports why it has become very difficult to trust the intentions of our power supplier,” stated Robbins. “In filing this case, we hope that Tri-State and the three non-utility entities will have to answer for their ongoing deception.”
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative delivering electricity to nearly 95,000 meters at homes, business, 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. ###
Leading the Way in Renewable Power
Monday | October 1, 2018
From energizing Colorado’s first community solar field to implementing an innovative methane recapture project, United Power has been at the forefront of providing renewable energy options to our members.
Read more >
LEGAL NOTICE: 2025 Annual Meeting of Members
Tuesday | March 18, 2025
The Annual Meeting of Members of United Power will be held Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Waymire Dome at the Riverdale Regional Park.
Read more >
LEGAL NOTICE: 2026 Annual Meeting of Members
Monday | March 16, 2026
The Annual Meeting of Members of United Power will be held Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the Waymire Dome at Riverdale Regional Park.
Read more >
