Title
LEGAL NOTICE: Official Posting of Nominations for Director by Petition
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/images/BallotBox_Suit.jpg?h=d275fdd8&itok=sQF8SCcN
Friday | February 16, 2024
Card Teaser
Districts Mountain, North, Central, and South are up for three-year terms.
OFFICIAL POSTING OF NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTOR BY PETITION
DATE OF NOTICE: February 16, 2024
The following persons have been nominated by petition and ruled as qualified by United Power’s all-volunteer, member led Qualifications and Election Oversight Committee to run for Director of United Power, Inc., in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of Members scheduled April 17, 2024.
Districts Mountain, North, Central, and South are up for three-year terms.
2024 Director Candidates are as follows:
Mountain District
Stephen Whiteside (Incumbent)
North District
Brian A. McCormick (Incumbent)
Central District
Tim Erickson (Incumbent)
Paige Wagner-Maul
South District
Brad Case (Incumbent)
Bylaw Ballot Question
The following question will appear on the 2024 ballot.
A “yes” vote is a vote in favor of changing the bylaws, and a “no” vote is a vote against changing the bylaws. Members can view the cooperative’s current bylaws online at www.unitedpower.com/bylaws-rates-tariffs.
Shall there be an amendment to Article 4, Section 4 of the Bylaws of United Power, Inc. to lengthen the term a Director holds office from three (3) years to four (4) years?
This notice is posted pursuant to Article 4, Section 6 of the Bylaws of United Power, Inc.
Posted: 2-16-2024
Cooperative Website
Brighton Headquarters
Carbon Valley Service Center
Coal Creek Office
Title
LEGAL NOTICE: United Power Bylaw Proposed Amendment
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Bylaw_Update.jpg?h=45932144&itok=ThxJM1f2
Thursday | August 29, 2024
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.
DATE OF NOTICE: September 6, 2024
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. as follows:
Establishes eligibility requirements for any director candidate to assure he/she is in good standing with the cooperative.
Extending the required period of membership for eligible director candidates from two (2) years to three (3) years.
Extending the required period for a prior cooperative employee, prior employee of a statewide association of electric cooperatives, an electric generation and transmission cooperative, material supply cooperative, financial cooperative, national electric cooperative, or other entity in which the electric cooperative is a member, or has been a member, or a close relative of a prior employee of the cooperative must wait before being eligible to serve as a director from three (3) years to ten (10) years.
Defines the requirements a person representing a legal entity must meet to be eligible to be a candidate for a director.
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 mailed 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, Inc. proposes to adopt the following amendment(s) to United Power’s bylaws at a meeting of the Board to be held on October 23, 2024, unless a written petition is filed at United Power’s headquarters before close of business on October 22, 2024, signed by 100 or more Members, protesting the proposed amendments.
UNITED POWER, INC. By: /s/Stephen Whiteside, Secretary of the Board
Title
LEGAL NOTICE: United Power Bylaw Proposed Amendment
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Bylaw_Update.jpg?h=45932144&itok=ThxJM1f2
Wednesday | August 23, 2023
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.
DATE OF NOTICE: September 6, 2023
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. as follows:
Housekeeping changes to keep titles, terms, and wording consistent throughout the document, clarifies the intent of vague bylaw language, and removes obsolete language.
Changes to the bylaws where they are inconsistent with current Colorado State Statutes.
Removes the descriptions of director district boundaries and replaces it with guidelines and procedures for potential redistricting as outlined.
Updates and clarifications to the Director election process.
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 mailed to them at the address on file with the cooperative.
Pursuant to Article 11.08 of the Bylaws of United Power Inc., you are hereby notified that the Board of Directors of United Power, Inc. proposes to adopt the following amendment(s) to United Power’s bylaws at a meeting of the Board to be held on October 25, 2023, unless a written petition is filed at United Power’s headquarters before the date of said meeting, signed by the lesser of five (5%) percent or 50 or more Members, protesting the proposed amendments.
UNITED POWER, INC. By: /s/Tamra Waltemath, Secretary of the Board
Title
Lineman Appreciation Day: A Lineman’s Responsibility is Never-Ending
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/MarApr2019_NL_LinemanAppreciation_0.png?itok=0AvCn-jG
Thursday | April 18, 2019
Card Teaser
Today is National Lineman Appreciation Day, celebrated each year on April 18 to pay homage to the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way to keep the lights on.
Keeping the lights on is a never-ending responsibility. This past month, the United Power service territory was hit hard by the strongest storm in state history resulting in numerous outages and long days for our linemen. The rapid response linemen made to restore power to members affected by strong winds and blinding snow illustrates the danger of their responsibility.
Over the course of this past year, United Power members have been no stranger to severe weather. Summer brought us severe thunder storms, including high winds, large hail and lightning, resulting in significant damage to personal property and United Power’s infrastructure, while severe winter weather has contributed to many outages over the past few months.
Whether threatening clouds dot the horizon or snow blankets the ground, our linemen are prepared to respond. They’re on call 24 hours a day, regardless of weather. Without our linemen, the electricity we expect and rely on to power our lives wouldn’t be possible.
Today is National Lineman Appreciation Day, celebrated each year on April 18 to pay homage to the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way to keep the lights on. We invite our members to take a moment to thank our United Power linemen for the work they do.
Drop a kind note in the mail, through email at unitednewsline@unitedpower.com or thank them on our social media (use the hashtag #ThankALineman) to show your appreciation. If you see them in the field, remember they could be restoring power to you, a family member or your neighbor. Drive attentively and give them plenty of clearance to do their work safely.
Linemen are the backbone of United Power. What they do, they do for you.
United Power
Thank A Lineman500 Cooperative WayBrighton, CO 80603
Title
Lineman Going Back to Guatemala
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/JulyAug2019_NL_Guatemala.jpg?itok=oP6BY7ff
Tuesday | July 23, 2019
Card Teaser
Kelly Snow has been selected to return later this summer as part of a crew of to provide power to the village of Sillab.
For the second time in as many years, United Power lineman Kelly Snow will represent the cooperative in Guatemala. Snow has been selected to return later this summer as part of a crew of 20 linemen from Colorado and Oklahoma to provide power to yet another isolated jungle village.
This past summer, Snow spent three weeks near Playa Grande setting poles, stringing line and hanging transformers to provide power to residents in two remote jungle villages for the first time.
“It’s really an honor to be invited back,” Snow said. “Most of us have never had to go more than a day without electricity and the benefits it provides. These villages have never had that experience.”
Sillab, the village they’ll be energizing in October, is located in the mountainous jungles of north central Guatemala. Sillab is home to approximately 60 households, one elementary school and four churches, none of which have known the benefits of reliable and affordable electricity.
While much of the work will be the same, the terrain presents a new difficulty for Snow and his fellow linemen. Crews will have to overcome harsh conditions in order to string electric line more than six miles to Sillab, including dense jungle foliage, mountainous terrain, frequent rain and high humidity.
Harsh conditions and grueling manual labor contributed to fatigue and dehydration in the relatively flatter areas of Playa Grande.
“You don’t quickly forget the experience of working in the rain and humidity,” Snow said. “But steep inclines add another level of safety we’ll have to prepare for and pay careful attention to during the project.”
In Playa Grande, long days seemed longer without access to major equipment, a condition that will also worsen in Sillab.
With a few spare linemen and some light equipment, the utility near Playa Grande was able to provide a little help. The utility and power supplier near Sillab have only one lineman each and no equipment.
“It will be tough, physical labor,” Snow said, “but I’m proud to be a part of it. At the end of the day, if you can be proud of what you did, the pain and the challenge is worth it.”
For more than 80 years, electric cooperatives have been helping small, rural communities across the country thrive. It’s one of the seven cooperative principles: concern for community. With the help of NRECA International, cooperatives have been able to take that mission global, providing millions of small communities with the gift of electricity.
“This is why we were founded – bringing power to rural America,” Snow said. “The impact electricity makes on one of these villages is tangible and opens up doors to future possibilities.”
Title
Linemen Provide Opportunity to Guatemalan Villages
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Dec2018_NL_Guatemala.png?itok=JuLGbFMN
Monday | December 3, 2018
Card Teaser
In October, lights went on for the first time in two villages nestled deep in the jungles of northwest Guatemala.
In October, lights went on for the first time in two villages nestled deep in the jungles of northwest Guatemala. After weeks of grueling manual labor in adverse conditions far from home, line crews from Oklahoma and Colorado completed work on a project to provide the villages of Pie del Cerro and Tierra Blanca Salinas the gift of electricity.
Between long days caused by the lack of major equipment and staving off dehydration brought on by dense jungle humidity, crews often returned to their rooms late in the evening exhausted – ready to do it again the next day.
“Nothing came easy,” United Power lineman Kelly Snow said. “We had to gut it out each and every day. But even on the worst days, everyone showed up and gave it their all. We came to accomplish something, and we did.”
Line crews were stationed in the small city of Playa Grande, located roughly 300 miles from Guatemala City. Each morning, crews loaded into trucks and traversed dirt-packed and often jarring roads to the villages they’d be powering nearly an hour away.
Once there, work had to be completed without the use of specialized tools or mechanical equipment, and vehicles were to be used for transportation only.
Snow, who’s experienced the worst working conditions as a lineman in Colorado’s Front Range, said it’s hard to prepare for the difficulties of working in a third world country.
“It’s like stepping back in time,” he said. “We talked to others who were on projects before us and looked at all the photos, but there are still elements of the unknown. It’s hot and humid the whole time; hard to stay hydrated.”
Despite the harsh working conditions, crews were able to complete the first half of the project in just over a week – providing power to the first of the two villages – and the whole project on time.
“I’m proud to have been a part of this project to provide power to these families and kids,” Snow said. “It gives these kids the chance to continue their studies, and maybe even opens the door for computers or cell phones one day.”
Brief reprieves gave Snow and other linemen an opportunity to spend some time building relationships with villagers, playing games with the children and exploring the nearby jungle and lakes.
Above and beyond providing electricity, the crews were also able to gift each household with two-year water filters and each school with a laptop and wheelchair.
“The Rural Electric Association was founded on the principal of bringing electricity to rural America,” Snow said just before the project. “It’s an inspiration to be a part of that foundation and spreading it to other countries.”
Title
Local Food Banks Receive Member Choice Grants
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/MemberChoice.jpg?h=45932144&itok=xQRicKHr
Monday | May 11, 2020
Card Teaser
Nominations quickly began arriving, and it was clear members saw an immediate need to provide basic food supplies for their neighbors at this time.
United Power introduced its new Member Choice Grants program earlier this year, asking members to nominate a nonprofit organization in its service territory they would like to see the cooperative help support.
Within the service territory, several of these organizations exist to provide for the needs of individuals and families and bring value to the communities they serve. These grant nominations allow United Power to provide support for causes and organizations members truly care about.
Nominations quickly began arriving, and it was clear members saw an immediate need to provide basic food supplies for their neighbors at this time. United Power is happy to announce the two organizations receiving the first $1,000 Member Choice Grants from the first round of nominations for 2020.
Carbon Valley Help Center
The Carbon Valley Help Center exists to help with the immediate needs of residents in their area, including food assistance and financial support. The grant will be used to help provide for the needs of its food pantry during the pandemic.
Fort Lupton Food & Clothing Bank
The mission of the Fort Lupton Food and Clothing Bank is to provide life sustaining food and clothing to people in need in and around the Fort Lupton community. Each year, the organization provides assistance to nearly 9,000 individuals.
Nominations are now open for the second round of Member Choice Grants, which will be announced in the next United Newsline. To submit a nomination, fill out a Member Choice Grant application and provide a brief reason why you feel the organization should receive the grant.
Title
Looking for Kids to Help Spread Electrical Safety Messages
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/2018_02_14_KidsSpreadSafetyMessages.jpg?itok=bupRuTbS
Wednesday | February 14, 2018
Card Teaser
United Power is enlisting the help of local children to create electrical safety posters that will be displayed for National Electrical Safety Month in May.
United Power is enlisting the help of local children to create electrical safety posters that will be displayed for National Electrical Safety Month in May. Kids in grades kindergarten through fifth are invited to submit their creative ideas that incorporate electrical safety concepts or safety tips for the community.
Winning posters will be used in May to commemorate National Electrical Safety Month—an annual, nationwide campaign to raise awareness about electrical hazards. Six winning designs will be selected, one from each grade. Winning posters will be displayed throughout the United Power service territory—in print, online and on select bus benches. The winner from each grade will also be awarded a $50 cash prize.
The deadline for Electrical Safety Poster Contest entries is Wednesday, March 21, 2018. Posters must be submitted on the official coloring contest entry form, which is available at any United Power office, our website, and will be included in the February & March United Newsline, United Power’s monthly newsletter mailed directly to members. United Power employees will judge posters based on creativity and illustration of a key electrical safety concept. Winners will be announced by Friday, March 30, 2018.
Contest Details
Child must be a dependent of a United Power member.
Winners will receive $50 cash awards.
Six winners will be chosen. One from each grade K-5.
Winning posters will appear online, in print and on bus benches for the month May.
Entries must be submitted on the official contest entry form.
DEADLINE: MARCH 21, 2018
Electrical Safety Tips
Stay away from powerlines & electrical equipment.
Use care when plugging & unplugging.
Never mix electricity & water.
Never stick toys or other objects into electrical outlets.
Don’t overload outlets.
Ask an adult for help ‑ you can never be too safe!
Title
LEGAL NOTICE: Official Posting of Nominations for Director by Petition
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/images/BallotBox_Suit.jpg?h=d275fdd8&itok=sQF8SCcN
Friday | February 16, 2024
Card Teaser
Districts Mountain, North, Central, and South are up for three-year terms.
OFFICIAL POSTING OF NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTOR BY PETITION
DATE OF NOTICE: February 16, 2024
The following persons have been nominated by petition and ruled as qualified by United Power’s all-volunteer, member led Qualifications and Election Oversight Committee to run for Director of United Power, Inc., in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of Members scheduled April 17, 2024.
Districts Mountain, North, Central, and South are up for three-year terms.
2024 Director Candidates are as follows:
Mountain District
Stephen Whiteside (Incumbent)
North District
Brian A. McCormick (Incumbent)
Central District
Tim Erickson (Incumbent)
Paige Wagner-Maul
South District
Brad Case (Incumbent)
Bylaw Ballot Question
The following question will appear on the 2024 ballot.
A “yes” vote is a vote in favor of changing the bylaws, and a “no” vote is a vote against changing the bylaws. Members can view the cooperative’s current bylaws online at www.unitedpower.com/bylaws-rates-tariffs.
Shall there be an amendment to Article 4, Section 4 of the Bylaws of United Power, Inc. to lengthen the term a Director holds office from three (3) years to four (4) years?
This notice is posted pursuant to Article 4, Section 6 of the Bylaws of United Power, Inc.
Posted: 2-16-2024
Cooperative Website
Brighton Headquarters
Carbon Valley Service Center
Coal Creek Office
Title
LEGAL NOTICE: United Power Bylaw Proposed Amendment
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Bylaw_Update.jpg?h=45932144&itok=ThxJM1f2
Thursday | August 29, 2024
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.
DATE OF NOTICE: September 6, 2024
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. as follows:
Establishes eligibility requirements for any director candidate to assure he/she is in good standing with the cooperative.
Extending the required period of membership for eligible director candidates from two (2) years to three (3) years.
Extending the required period for a prior cooperative employee, prior employee of a statewide association of electric cooperatives, an electric generation and transmission cooperative, material supply cooperative, financial cooperative, national electric cooperative, or other entity in which the electric cooperative is a member, or has been a member, or a close relative of a prior employee of the cooperative must wait before being eligible to serve as a director from three (3) years to ten (10) years.
Defines the requirements a person representing a legal entity must meet to be eligible to be a candidate for a director.
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 mailed 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, Inc. proposes to adopt the following amendment(s) to United Power’s bylaws at a meeting of the Board to be held on October 23, 2024, unless a written petition is filed at United Power’s headquarters before close of business on October 22, 2024, signed by 100 or more Members, protesting the proposed amendments.
UNITED POWER, INC. By: /s/Stephen Whiteside, Secretary of the Board
Title
LEGAL NOTICE: United Power Bylaw Proposed Amendment
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Bylaw_Update.jpg?h=45932144&itok=ThxJM1f2
Wednesday | August 23, 2023
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.
DATE OF NOTICE: September 6, 2023
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. as follows:
Housekeeping changes to keep titles, terms, and wording consistent throughout the document, clarifies the intent of vague bylaw language, and removes obsolete language.
Changes to the bylaws where they are inconsistent with current Colorado State Statutes.
Removes the descriptions of director district boundaries and replaces it with guidelines and procedures for potential redistricting as outlined.
Updates and clarifications to the Director election process.
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 mailed to them at the address on file with the cooperative.
Pursuant to Article 11.08 of the Bylaws of United Power Inc., you are hereby notified that the Board of Directors of United Power, Inc. proposes to adopt the following amendment(s) to United Power’s bylaws at a meeting of the Board to be held on October 25, 2023, unless a written petition is filed at United Power’s headquarters before the date of said meeting, signed by the lesser of five (5%) percent or 50 or more Members, protesting the proposed amendments.
UNITED POWER, INC. By: /s/Tamra Waltemath, Secretary of the Board
Title
Lineman Appreciation Day: A Lineman’s Responsibility is Never-Ending
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/MarApr2019_NL_LinemanAppreciation_0.png?itok=0AvCn-jG
Thursday | April 18, 2019
Card Teaser
Today is National Lineman Appreciation Day, celebrated each year on April 18 to pay homage to the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way to keep the lights on.
Keeping the lights on is a never-ending responsibility. This past month, the United Power service territory was hit hard by the strongest storm in state history resulting in numerous outages and long days for our linemen. The rapid response linemen made to restore power to members affected by strong winds and blinding snow illustrates the danger of their responsibility.
Over the course of this past year, United Power members have been no stranger to severe weather. Summer brought us severe thunder storms, including high winds, large hail and lightning, resulting in significant damage to personal property and United Power’s infrastructure, while severe winter weather has contributed to many outages over the past few months.
Whether threatening clouds dot the horizon or snow blankets the ground, our linemen are prepared to respond. They’re on call 24 hours a day, regardless of weather. Without our linemen, the electricity we expect and rely on to power our lives wouldn’t be possible.
Today is National Lineman Appreciation Day, celebrated each year on April 18 to pay homage to the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way to keep the lights on. We invite our members to take a moment to thank our United Power linemen for the work they do.
Drop a kind note in the mail, through email at unitednewsline@unitedpower.com or thank them on our social media (use the hashtag #ThankALineman) to show your appreciation. If you see them in the field, remember they could be restoring power to you, a family member or your neighbor. Drive attentively and give them plenty of clearance to do their work safely.
Linemen are the backbone of United Power. What they do, they do for you.
United Power
Thank A Lineman500 Cooperative WayBrighton, CO 80603
Title
Lineman Going Back to Guatemala
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/JulyAug2019_NL_Guatemala.jpg?itok=oP6BY7ff
Tuesday | July 23, 2019
Card Teaser
Kelly Snow has been selected to return later this summer as part of a crew of to provide power to the village of Sillab.
For the second time in as many years, United Power lineman Kelly Snow will represent the cooperative in Guatemala. Snow has been selected to return later this summer as part of a crew of 20 linemen from Colorado and Oklahoma to provide power to yet another isolated jungle village.
This past summer, Snow spent three weeks near Playa Grande setting poles, stringing line and hanging transformers to provide power to residents in two remote jungle villages for the first time.
“It’s really an honor to be invited back,” Snow said. “Most of us have never had to go more than a day without electricity and the benefits it provides. These villages have never had that experience.”
Sillab, the village they’ll be energizing in October, is located in the mountainous jungles of north central Guatemala. Sillab is home to approximately 60 households, one elementary school and four churches, none of which have known the benefits of reliable and affordable electricity.
While much of the work will be the same, the terrain presents a new difficulty for Snow and his fellow linemen. Crews will have to overcome harsh conditions in order to string electric line more than six miles to Sillab, including dense jungle foliage, mountainous terrain, frequent rain and high humidity.
Harsh conditions and grueling manual labor contributed to fatigue and dehydration in the relatively flatter areas of Playa Grande.
“You don’t quickly forget the experience of working in the rain and humidity,” Snow said. “But steep inclines add another level of safety we’ll have to prepare for and pay careful attention to during the project.”
In Playa Grande, long days seemed longer without access to major equipment, a condition that will also worsen in Sillab.
With a few spare linemen and some light equipment, the utility near Playa Grande was able to provide a little help. The utility and power supplier near Sillab have only one lineman each and no equipment.
“It will be tough, physical labor,” Snow said, “but I’m proud to be a part of it. At the end of the day, if you can be proud of what you did, the pain and the challenge is worth it.”
For more than 80 years, electric cooperatives have been helping small, rural communities across the country thrive. It’s one of the seven cooperative principles: concern for community. With the help of NRECA International, cooperatives have been able to take that mission global, providing millions of small communities with the gift of electricity.
“This is why we were founded – bringing power to rural America,” Snow said. “The impact electricity makes on one of these villages is tangible and opens up doors to future possibilities.”
Title
Linemen Provide Opportunity to Guatemalan Villages
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Dec2018_NL_Guatemala.png?itok=JuLGbFMN
Monday | December 3, 2018
Card Teaser
In October, lights went on for the first time in two villages nestled deep in the jungles of northwest Guatemala.
In October, lights went on for the first time in two villages nestled deep in the jungles of northwest Guatemala. After weeks of grueling manual labor in adverse conditions far from home, line crews from Oklahoma and Colorado completed work on a project to provide the villages of Pie del Cerro and Tierra Blanca Salinas the gift of electricity.
Between long days caused by the lack of major equipment and staving off dehydration brought on by dense jungle humidity, crews often returned to their rooms late in the evening exhausted – ready to do it again the next day.
“Nothing came easy,” United Power lineman Kelly Snow said. “We had to gut it out each and every day. But even on the worst days, everyone showed up and gave it their all. We came to accomplish something, and we did.”
Line crews were stationed in the small city of Playa Grande, located roughly 300 miles from Guatemala City. Each morning, crews loaded into trucks and traversed dirt-packed and often jarring roads to the villages they’d be powering nearly an hour away.
Once there, work had to be completed without the use of specialized tools or mechanical equipment, and vehicles were to be used for transportation only.
Snow, who’s experienced the worst working conditions as a lineman in Colorado’s Front Range, said it’s hard to prepare for the difficulties of working in a third world country.
“It’s like stepping back in time,” he said. “We talked to others who were on projects before us and looked at all the photos, but there are still elements of the unknown. It’s hot and humid the whole time; hard to stay hydrated.”
Despite the harsh working conditions, crews were able to complete the first half of the project in just over a week – providing power to the first of the two villages – and the whole project on time.
“I’m proud to have been a part of this project to provide power to these families and kids,” Snow said. “It gives these kids the chance to continue their studies, and maybe even opens the door for computers or cell phones one day.”
Brief reprieves gave Snow and other linemen an opportunity to spend some time building relationships with villagers, playing games with the children and exploring the nearby jungle and lakes.
Above and beyond providing electricity, the crews were also able to gift each household with two-year water filters and each school with a laptop and wheelchair.
“The Rural Electric Association was founded on the principal of bringing electricity to rural America,” Snow said just before the project. “It’s an inspiration to be a part of that foundation and spreading it to other countries.”
Title
Local Food Banks Receive Member Choice Grants
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/MemberChoice.jpg?h=45932144&itok=xQRicKHr
Monday | May 11, 2020
Card Teaser
Nominations quickly began arriving, and it was clear members saw an immediate need to provide basic food supplies for their neighbors at this time.
United Power introduced its new Member Choice Grants program earlier this year, asking members to nominate a nonprofit organization in its service territory they would like to see the cooperative help support.
Within the service territory, several of these organizations exist to provide for the needs of individuals and families and bring value to the communities they serve. These grant nominations allow United Power to provide support for causes and organizations members truly care about.
Nominations quickly began arriving, and it was clear members saw an immediate need to provide basic food supplies for their neighbors at this time. United Power is happy to announce the two organizations receiving the first $1,000 Member Choice Grants from the first round of nominations for 2020.
Carbon Valley Help Center
The Carbon Valley Help Center exists to help with the immediate needs of residents in their area, including food assistance and financial support. The grant will be used to help provide for the needs of its food pantry during the pandemic.
Fort Lupton Food & Clothing Bank
The mission of the Fort Lupton Food and Clothing Bank is to provide life sustaining food and clothing to people in need in and around the Fort Lupton community. Each year, the organization provides assistance to nearly 9,000 individuals.
Nominations are now open for the second round of Member Choice Grants, which will be announced in the next United Newsline. To submit a nomination, fill out a Member Choice Grant application and provide a brief reason why you feel the organization should receive the grant.
Title
Looking for Kids to Help Spread Electrical Safety Messages
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/2018_02_14_KidsSpreadSafetyMessages.jpg?itok=bupRuTbS
Wednesday | February 14, 2018
Card Teaser
United Power is enlisting the help of local children to create electrical safety posters that will be displayed for National Electrical Safety Month in May.
United Power is enlisting the help of local children to create electrical safety posters that will be displayed for National Electrical Safety Month in May. Kids in grades kindergarten through fifth are invited to submit their creative ideas that incorporate electrical safety concepts or safety tips for the community.
Winning posters will be used in May to commemorate National Electrical Safety Month—an annual, nationwide campaign to raise awareness about electrical hazards. Six winning designs will be selected, one from each grade. Winning posters will be displayed throughout the United Power service territory—in print, online and on select bus benches. The winner from each grade will also be awarded a $50 cash prize.
The deadline for Electrical Safety Poster Contest entries is Wednesday, March 21, 2018. Posters must be submitted on the official coloring contest entry form, which is available at any United Power office, our website, and will be included in the February & March United Newsline, United Power’s monthly newsletter mailed directly to members. United Power employees will judge posters based on creativity and illustration of a key electrical safety concept. Winners will be announced by Friday, March 30, 2018.
Contest Details
Child must be a dependent of a United Power member.
Winners will receive $50 cash awards.
Six winners will be chosen. One from each grade K-5.
Winning posters will appear online, in print and on bus benches for the month May.
Entries must be submitted on the official contest entry form.
DEADLINE: MARCH 21, 2018
Electrical Safety Tips
Stay away from powerlines & electrical equipment.
Use care when plugging & unplugging.
Never mix electricity & water.
Never stick toys or other objects into electrical outlets.
Don’t overload outlets.
Ask an adult for help ‑ you can never be too safe!
