Title
Mitigating Wildfire Risk Proactive Strategies to Protect Members & Communities
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Monday | October 13, 2025
Card Teaser
October is recognized as Fire Prevention Month, but for the cooperative, every day is an ongoing effort to improve fire mitigation strategies that protect members and communities.
Proactive Strategies to Protect Members & Communities
A small neighborhood on the northeast side of the Gross Dam Reservoir in Coal Creek Canyon was evacuated late last summer after a fire erupted at a work site in the community. The Lake Shore Fire damaged at least two structures and burned nearly seven acres before it was contained. Although United Power members were minimally impacted due to the rapid response of local emergency management teams, the close call demonstrates the reality of wildfire risks in Colorado.
October is nationally recognized as Fire Prevention Month, but for the cooperative, every day is an ongoing effort to improve fire mitigation strategies that protect members and communities. United Power debuted its first official Wildfire Mitigation Plan in 2019 to highlight existing programs and guide future initiatives. It directs the cooperative to implement industry-leading strategies and utilize innovative technologies that identify and address risk factors. Like Our Cooperative Roadmap, the plan evolves each year through review and revision, accounting for emerging technology and new data about the service territory.
“A wildfire mitigation plan is essential for any electric utility and is top of mind at United Power,” said Adam Dillon, Vice President of Operations. “Not only does it prepare us for a wildfire event and help protect our communities, it also helps improve our system reliability and keeps us engaged with the communities we serve.”
The single largest element of the plan is its robust and aggressive approach to vegetation management, which includes clearing rights-of-way and increasing accessibility to electrical equipment for maintenance and outage restoration. Clearing overgrowth is critical and removes hazards that could create an ignition or fuel source. The cooperative onboarded a new solution for efficiently scheduling and tracking vegetation management projects called AiDash in 2021. The sophisticated software leverages artificial intelligence with satellite imagery to establish growth patterns and identify risks in real time. The implementation was so successful that AiDash recognized United Power for its impact on wildfire risk reduction.
One of the cooperative’s challenges in wildfire mitigation is serving a rugged mountain territory with difficult terrain for crews to inspect efficiently. United Power recently enhanced its drone inspection program with light detection and ranging imaging — more commonly known as LiDAR — to map high risk areas and conduct line inspections. This imaging helps quickly identify issues so that repairs can be made sooner. The first flights took place late last year with additional focus earlier this summer.
The implementation of AiDash and LiDAR continues the cooperative’s historical trend of reviewing and deploying new technology in innovative ways that improve system resiliency and mitigate wildfire risk. The cooperative has long been an industry leader for its deployment of automated smart devices, which allows the cooperative to quickly restore power during an outage or cut the flow of power during high-risk fire weather. United Power also uses infrared cameras to detect heat signatures at its substations and sensors strategically located in high-risk areas that can detect smoke and gas particulates.
“We are always looking at ways to improve our mitigation plan,” said Travis Rodlin, Mountain Area Manager. “Technology is ever changing. Our use of artificial intelligence may increase as it evolves to improve speed and efficiency of our evaluations and efforts. Hybrid undergrounding is also being researched within the industry, which could benefit areas where undergrounding was not previously cost effective or possible.”
United Power has developed operational procedures, called Wildfire Safety Mode, that are enacted when the National Weather Service issues Red Flag Warnings. These warnings mean the combination of weather conditions — high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds — increase the risk of fire danger. While in wildfire safety mode, the system will automatically de-energize line segments when foreign objects are detected, and they will remain off until crews have completed a manual inspection. Another inspection is completed after power is restored. This may temporarily increase outage restoration times but substantially increases safety and reduces fire risk.
“Ultimately, wildfire mitigation cannot be the sole responsibility of any single utility,” Rodlin said. “It requires a community-wide commitment. Proactive measures like home hardening, creating defensible space, and property-wide mitigation are essential to help our communities be better prepared. That is why we actively collaborate at the county and state levels and will continue to support local efforts to build a more resilient community together.”
Members can learn more about the cooperative’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan here.
Title
Mountain Area Power Outage Dec. 17
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Wednesday | December 17, 2025
Card Teaser
An estimated 4,400 members have been restored as of 3:30 p.m. Crews continue to inspect, repair, and restore.
UPDATED: Thursday, Dec. 18 at 3:40 p.m.
In the last hour, an additional two feeders have been energized, restoring power to 1,800 more members. Crews are still actively working on restoring power to the remaining members.
Members have reported blinks and brief periods with power, and then another outage. This means our crews are working on the lines serving you.
UPDATED: Thursday, Dec. 18 at 2:50 p.m.
Crews have energized two additional feeders, restoring power to an additional 1,000 members.UPDATED: Thursday, Dec. 18 at 1:50 p.m.
Crews are making progress today, albeit slowly, due to the numerous downed trees and broken poles.
This afternoon, the major backbone line from the transmission feed to the local grid was energized. This means crews can move along to inspect and restore each feeder line from that major power source. If crews find no damage after inspection, the area can be restored.
At this update, crews have fully restored five major feeder lines, which restored service to an estimated 1,600 members. Crews will continue to work their way throughout the territory. Restoration of each area depends on the extent of the damage discovered. Unfortunately, providing estimated restoration times for areas that have not yet been inspected is not possible.
We understand that this restoration timeline is moving more slowly than anyone would prefer, and we appreciate the grace of our members who have been without power for almost 24 hours. Our priority is your power restoration and the safety of our crews and community.
UPDATED: Thursday, December 18 at 10:30 a.m.
United Power crews continue to repair damage on the system and at this time we do not have an estimate of when power will be restored. We are finding downed trees, broken poles, and a variety of other damage. To help keep the repair work moving, please be courteous of United Power crews in the field, and give them clear access to work areas and roads. If you see United Power trucks moving throughout the territory, please give them space to work safely.
At the present time our Coal Creek office is closed to walk in traffic. If you have questions or concerns about your service, please call our Member Services team at 303-637-1300.
Thanks again for your patience.
UPDATED: Thursday, December 18 at 7:00 a.m.
United Power crews are already working throughout the territory to identify and repair any system damage. Please help us by staying clear of line crews and helping them access any gated territories. Crews will work throughout the day to restore affected members. When you see United Power trucks and crews, please give them space to safely work on the restoration process.
Outages can be reported via our automated reporting system in Smarthub, through the United Power app, or by calling 303-637-1350. Please feel free to report any downed power lines, broken or damaged poles, or trees in lines also.
We appreciate your patience as our crews work to restore power.
UPDATED: Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 11:45 p.m.
In response to overnight outages, Gilpin County has activated the warming center at the Gilpin County School, 10595 Highway 119. Access through the upper entrance to the atrium at the high school level.
With winter weather in the area and potential obstacles blowing due to heavy winds, remember to pay careful attention to road conditions and drive safely.
UPDATED: Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m.
We are responding to a widespread power outage affecting the mountain territory.
We have confirmed that the outage was caused by a loss of transmission from Xcel Energy. This line provides power to the entire United Power mountain territory. The affected lines were operating on protective system settings and power went out due to high winds in the area and likely some interference in the lines – this outage is not part of a planned public safety power shutoff (PSPS).
When utilities, like United Power and Xcel Energy, operate in protective mode for wildfire safety, lines are set to their most sensitive settings and power is immediately shut off if anything is detected on the system. Before power can be safely restored, winds must fully subside and crews must complete required physical inspections of power lines and equipment. These inspections are critical for public safety and can take time, particularly when outages are widespread or damage is found.
The outage began at approximately 4:15 p.m. and affects all mountain service area members. Full restoration to the mountain territory will take significant time and effort, and members should expect to be without power overnight and another day at minimum. What We Know
Power restoration will not occur overnight. Inspections cannot be safely completed in the dark.
Once conditions are safe, crews will begin inspections and repairs as quickly as possible.
Restoration timelines may vary depending on the extent of damage and accessibility.
Please Keep Safety Top of Mind
Stay away from downed power lines and always assume they are energized. Do not remove debris from or near power lines.
If you rely on electricity for medical equipment, please use your backup plan and seek alternate accommodations if necessary. Due to the nature of this storm, your local county office of emergency management may have set up a resource center for local residents. We have posted known resources here. Please reach out to your county if you need assistance.
Please give crews space to work safely. Do not approach working crews and please be cautious when driving by work sites.
United Power has additional crews on standby, ready to respond as soon as conditions allow. We are working with our transmission provider, Xcel Energy, and will provide more information as we have it.
We understand how disruptive an outage can be, and we appreciate your patience as we prioritize the safety of our members, crews, and communities. Updates will be shared here as more information becomes available.
Mutton Busting: Toughest Sport on Wool
Monday | July 2, 2018
For years, the Adams County Fair has provided an opportunity to channel that spirit into a popular rugrat rodeo activity – Mutton Bustin’. Mutton Bustin’ will return with the fair in August, but will introduce an exciting new change from previous event formats.
Read more >
Myths of Energy Efficiency
Monday | February 14, 2022
As your cooperative, we want to provide you with the most useful information and applicable resources to help you save on bills.
Read more >
Title
Myths of Energy Efficiency
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Friday | February 5, 2021
Card Teaser
As your cooperative, we want to provide you with the most useful information and applicable resources to help you save on bills.
As your cooperative, we want to provide you with the most useful information and applicable resources to help you save on bills. In a previous newsletter, we tackled some common energy efficiency myths. This follow up to that article dives into a few more myths to help you make more informed decisions.
Reducing Energy Use is Too Expensive
The first and most common misconception about energy efficiency is cost. There’s a stigma associated with it that assumes it’s far too expensive to be worth it, which is incorrect. While members can begin to see increased savings by upgrading insulation and replacing old appliances, many of the immediate steps you can take toward using energy efficiently are behavioral changes. Some of these will be addressed below, but others include turning off lights when you leave a room, limiting use of kitchen and bathroom vents, closing doors to empty rooms while heating or cooling systems are running, and remembering to close your curtains in the summer – and conversely open them in the winter – to keep sunlight from affecting the temperature inside your home.
Myth or Truth: Myth
Adjusting the Thermostat Saves Energy
Adjusting your thermostat up or down a few degrees, depending on the season, can help you save energy. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates this little behavioral change could save consumers as much as 10 percent per year on their energy bills. Since heating and cooling our homes accounts for approximately half of our annual energy usage, that could result in significant savings. To see additional savings on your energy bills, you can adjust the thermostat a few more degrees when you and your family won’t be home. It is recommended to practice adjusting your thermostat 6-8 degrees when your home will be empty for several hours, such as when you’re at work. It’s important to note you may not see savings from this practice when you’re only away from the home for a couple hours. This practice is easily paired with a smart thermostat, which can either adjust your thermostat automatically based your location relative to the home or on a pre-programmed schedule. If you and your family are traveling for the holidays, you can set your thermostat to an even lower temperature, roughly 50 degrees, to both save energy and protect your pipes from winter temperatures. In certain situations, it may even be possible to turn your system off altogether, such as a family vacation in the summer or at night when you can allow Colorado’s mild climate to cool your home naturally by opening windows.
Myth or Truth: Truth
Ceiling Fans Keep Rooms Cool
Sitting in a room with a running ceiling fan may feel more comfortable than a room without one, but that’s not because the ceiling fan is actually cooling the air in the room. Instead, the room feels cooler because the ceiling fan keeps air in the room flowing constantly, cooling those who are in the room rather than the air itself. To use ceiling fans efficiently, run them only in occupied rooms while adjusting your thermostat up a few degrees. Leaving a ceiling fan running in an empty room just wastes energy.
Myth or Truth: Myth.
Setting Thermostat Higher Heats Home Faster
No matter what temperature you set your thermostat, your furnace will work equally as hard and fast to meet that goal. The only difference achieved by setting the temperature to a higher degree is that the system will work for a longer period of time, therefore using more energy. The same applies to air conditioners when set to a lower temperature then desired.
Myth or Truth: Myth
Appliances Don’t Use Power When Turned Off
You may have heard the term “vampire loads,” but do you know what causes them? When you turn off an electronic device or appliance, many don’t actually turn off. They go into a “standby” mode, which still draws a small amount of energy. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates these loads are approaching nearly 10% of our annual energy usage, due in large part to the increased number of electronics we use daily. To save energy, make sure your electronics are turned off rather than in standby and unplug unused chargers. Using a smart power strip may be an effective way to combat these loads, as well.
Myth or Truth: Myth
Using energy more efficiently isn’t as difficult as you may believe. Many of the quickest ways to see results are to make small behavioral changes. If you’re curious about more ways you can save, check out our website at www.unitedpower.com/energy-tips or contact an Energy Management Specialist at 303-637-1300.
National Lineman Appreciation Day on April 18, 2019
Friday | March 1, 2019
United Power is dedicated to keeping our members’ lights on. That wouldn’t be possible without the help of our skilled linemen, who work each day behind the scenes to improve our system and prevent outages before they happen.
Read more >
Title
National Preparedness Month 2023
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Wednesday | September 13, 2023
Card Teaser
This year’s theme, “Preparing for Older Adults,” touches how to plan ahead.
Colorado is no stranger to weather-related disasters and record-breaking storm systems. Strong storms may dump feet of snow, generate destructive wind speeds, or spark a devastating wildfire. Each September, the Federal Emergency Management Agency recognizes National Preparedness Month to educate and empower Americans to take simple steps to prepare for and respond to potential emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, and visit. This year’s theme, “Preparing for Older Adults,” touches how to plan ahead.
Make a Plan. Expecting the unexpected begins with having a plan in place. Coordinate with your family, loved ones, or caregivers to respond quickly in the event of a disaster or weather-related emergency. A plan should include the following:
Create a support network of family, friends, and others, including caregivers, who can assist you during an emergency. Establish two-way communications, transportation, and living arrangements between you and your care community, especially if power is interrupted. Consider how any pets or service animals can continue receiving care, if necessary.
Make sure at least one person in your support network has an extra key to your home, knows where you keep your emergency supplies, and knows how to use life-saving equipment or administer medicine.
If you undergo routine treatments at a clinic or hospital, find out their emergency plans and work with them to identify backup service providers.
If you rely on any devices for physical assistance, plan on how you will have those with you during an evacuation, if required.
Build a Kit. Gather supplies for several days, considering your unique needs. Include items such as food and water; medications and medical supplies; any necessary medical documentation, such as Medicaid, Medicare, and other insurance cards; pet supplies; batteries and chargers; etc. You may also include items such as a first aid kit, flashlight, and/or radio. Remember to keep your kit updated.
Electronic Benefits. If you depend on Social Security or other regular benefits, switching to electronic payments is a simple, important way to protect yourself financially. You can sign up for direct deposit by calling 800-333-1795 or visiting www.godirect.gov/gpw.
For more information on National Preparedness Month, including sample emergency communications plans, organizations you can volunteer with during disasters, and more, visit www.ready.gov.
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New Fort Lupton Payment Kiosk
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Friday | February 5, 2021
Card Teaser
United Power members living in and around Fort Lupton now have access to a new payment kiosk. The new kiosk is located inside the Bank of Colorado’s Operations Center, 605 4th St.
United Power members living in and around Fort Lupton now have access to a new payment kiosk. The new kiosk is located inside the Bank of Colorado’s Operations Center, 605 4th St.
Payment kiosks are hassle-free and easy to use. To make a payment, bring your United Power account number and a form of payment. Kiosks accept cash, credit card or check payments. Cash and credit card payments made using the kiosk are applied to your account immediately, and accounts subject to disconnection are restored immediately upon payment.
Over the past few years, the cooperative has seen a steady increase in demand from members who prefer to use self-serve and digital account and payment options, and a corresponding reduction in visits to our offices.
“The installation of payment kiosks demonstrates our commitment to providing the types of services our members want,” said Francis Ashu, Member Services Director. “Through our many convenient account management and payment options, we are able to provide the same level of quality service without costs associated with operating a storefront location.”
United Power now operates four payment kiosks, conveniently located throughout the service territory, with the addition of the Fort Lupton kiosk. The other kiosks are located at the cooperative’s office locations in Brighton, Carbon Valley and Coal Creek.
Find more information on payment kiosks and other payment options on our payments page.
New Rates Effective Jan 1, 2020
Tuesday | December 31, 2019
While the increase became effective beginning with usage on January 1, 2020, members won’t see the increase on their bills until February statements are mailed out.
Read more >
Title
Mitigating Wildfire Risk Proactive Strategies to Protect Members & Communities
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Monday | October 13, 2025
Card Teaser
October is recognized as Fire Prevention Month, but for the cooperative, every day is an ongoing effort to improve fire mitigation strategies that protect members and communities.
Proactive Strategies to Protect Members & Communities
A small neighborhood on the northeast side of the Gross Dam Reservoir in Coal Creek Canyon was evacuated late last summer after a fire erupted at a work site in the community. The Lake Shore Fire damaged at least two structures and burned nearly seven acres before it was contained. Although United Power members were minimally impacted due to the rapid response of local emergency management teams, the close call demonstrates the reality of wildfire risks in Colorado.
October is nationally recognized as Fire Prevention Month, but for the cooperative, every day is an ongoing effort to improve fire mitigation strategies that protect members and communities. United Power debuted its first official Wildfire Mitigation Plan in 2019 to highlight existing programs and guide future initiatives. It directs the cooperative to implement industry-leading strategies and utilize innovative technologies that identify and address risk factors. Like Our Cooperative Roadmap, the plan evolves each year through review and revision, accounting for emerging technology and new data about the service territory.
“A wildfire mitigation plan is essential for any electric utility and is top of mind at United Power,” said Adam Dillon, Vice President of Operations. “Not only does it prepare us for a wildfire event and help protect our communities, it also helps improve our system reliability and keeps us engaged with the communities we serve.”
The single largest element of the plan is its robust and aggressive approach to vegetation management, which includes clearing rights-of-way and increasing accessibility to electrical equipment for maintenance and outage restoration. Clearing overgrowth is critical and removes hazards that could create an ignition or fuel source. The cooperative onboarded a new solution for efficiently scheduling and tracking vegetation management projects called AiDash in 2021. The sophisticated software leverages artificial intelligence with satellite imagery to establish growth patterns and identify risks in real time. The implementation was so successful that AiDash recognized United Power for its impact on wildfire risk reduction.
One of the cooperative’s challenges in wildfire mitigation is serving a rugged mountain territory with difficult terrain for crews to inspect efficiently. United Power recently enhanced its drone inspection program with light detection and ranging imaging — more commonly known as LiDAR — to map high risk areas and conduct line inspections. This imaging helps quickly identify issues so that repairs can be made sooner. The first flights took place late last year with additional focus earlier this summer.
The implementation of AiDash and LiDAR continues the cooperative’s historical trend of reviewing and deploying new technology in innovative ways that improve system resiliency and mitigate wildfire risk. The cooperative has long been an industry leader for its deployment of automated smart devices, which allows the cooperative to quickly restore power during an outage or cut the flow of power during high-risk fire weather. United Power also uses infrared cameras to detect heat signatures at its substations and sensors strategically located in high-risk areas that can detect smoke and gas particulates.
“We are always looking at ways to improve our mitigation plan,” said Travis Rodlin, Mountain Area Manager. “Technology is ever changing. Our use of artificial intelligence may increase as it evolves to improve speed and efficiency of our evaluations and efforts. Hybrid undergrounding is also being researched within the industry, which could benefit areas where undergrounding was not previously cost effective or possible.”
United Power has developed operational procedures, called Wildfire Safety Mode, that are enacted when the National Weather Service issues Red Flag Warnings. These warnings mean the combination of weather conditions — high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds — increase the risk of fire danger. While in wildfire safety mode, the system will automatically de-energize line segments when foreign objects are detected, and they will remain off until crews have completed a manual inspection. Another inspection is completed after power is restored. This may temporarily increase outage restoration times but substantially increases safety and reduces fire risk.
“Ultimately, wildfire mitigation cannot be the sole responsibility of any single utility,” Rodlin said. “It requires a community-wide commitment. Proactive measures like home hardening, creating defensible space, and property-wide mitigation are essential to help our communities be better prepared. That is why we actively collaborate at the county and state levels and will continue to support local efforts to build a more resilient community together.”
Members can learn more about the cooperative’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan here.
Title
Mountain Area Power Outage Dec. 17
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Wednesday | December 17, 2025
Card Teaser
An estimated 4,400 members have been restored as of 3:30 p.m. Crews continue to inspect, repair, and restore.
UPDATED: Thursday, Dec. 18 at 3:40 p.m.
In the last hour, an additional two feeders have been energized, restoring power to 1,800 more members. Crews are still actively working on restoring power to the remaining members.
Members have reported blinks and brief periods with power, and then another outage. This means our crews are working on the lines serving you.
UPDATED: Thursday, Dec. 18 at 2:50 p.m.
Crews have energized two additional feeders, restoring power to an additional 1,000 members.UPDATED: Thursday, Dec. 18 at 1:50 p.m.
Crews are making progress today, albeit slowly, due to the numerous downed trees and broken poles.
This afternoon, the major backbone line from the transmission feed to the local grid was energized. This means crews can move along to inspect and restore each feeder line from that major power source. If crews find no damage after inspection, the area can be restored.
At this update, crews have fully restored five major feeder lines, which restored service to an estimated 1,600 members. Crews will continue to work their way throughout the territory. Restoration of each area depends on the extent of the damage discovered. Unfortunately, providing estimated restoration times for areas that have not yet been inspected is not possible.
We understand that this restoration timeline is moving more slowly than anyone would prefer, and we appreciate the grace of our members who have been without power for almost 24 hours. Our priority is your power restoration and the safety of our crews and community.
UPDATED: Thursday, December 18 at 10:30 a.m.
United Power crews continue to repair damage on the system and at this time we do not have an estimate of when power will be restored. We are finding downed trees, broken poles, and a variety of other damage. To help keep the repair work moving, please be courteous of United Power crews in the field, and give them clear access to work areas and roads. If you see United Power trucks moving throughout the territory, please give them space to work safely.
At the present time our Coal Creek office is closed to walk in traffic. If you have questions or concerns about your service, please call our Member Services team at 303-637-1300.
Thanks again for your patience.
UPDATED: Thursday, December 18 at 7:00 a.m.
United Power crews are already working throughout the territory to identify and repair any system damage. Please help us by staying clear of line crews and helping them access any gated territories. Crews will work throughout the day to restore affected members. When you see United Power trucks and crews, please give them space to safely work on the restoration process.
Outages can be reported via our automated reporting system in Smarthub, through the United Power app, or by calling 303-637-1350. Please feel free to report any downed power lines, broken or damaged poles, or trees in lines also.
We appreciate your patience as our crews work to restore power.
UPDATED: Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 11:45 p.m.
In response to overnight outages, Gilpin County has activated the warming center at the Gilpin County School, 10595 Highway 119. Access through the upper entrance to the atrium at the high school level.
With winter weather in the area and potential obstacles blowing due to heavy winds, remember to pay careful attention to road conditions and drive safely.
UPDATED: Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m.
We are responding to a widespread power outage affecting the mountain territory.
We have confirmed that the outage was caused by a loss of transmission from Xcel Energy. This line provides power to the entire United Power mountain territory. The affected lines were operating on protective system settings and power went out due to high winds in the area and likely some interference in the lines – this outage is not part of a planned public safety power shutoff (PSPS).
When utilities, like United Power and Xcel Energy, operate in protective mode for wildfire safety, lines are set to their most sensitive settings and power is immediately shut off if anything is detected on the system. Before power can be safely restored, winds must fully subside and crews must complete required physical inspections of power lines and equipment. These inspections are critical for public safety and can take time, particularly when outages are widespread or damage is found.
The outage began at approximately 4:15 p.m. and affects all mountain service area members. Full restoration to the mountain territory will take significant time and effort, and members should expect to be without power overnight and another day at minimum. What We Know
Power restoration will not occur overnight. Inspections cannot be safely completed in the dark.
Once conditions are safe, crews will begin inspections and repairs as quickly as possible.
Restoration timelines may vary depending on the extent of damage and accessibility.
Please Keep Safety Top of Mind
Stay away from downed power lines and always assume they are energized. Do not remove debris from or near power lines.
If you rely on electricity for medical equipment, please use your backup plan and seek alternate accommodations if necessary. Due to the nature of this storm, your local county office of emergency management may have set up a resource center for local residents. We have posted known resources here. Please reach out to your county if you need assistance.
Please give crews space to work safely. Do not approach working crews and please be cautious when driving by work sites.
United Power has additional crews on standby, ready to respond as soon as conditions allow. We are working with our transmission provider, Xcel Energy, and will provide more information as we have it.
We understand how disruptive an outage can be, and we appreciate your patience as we prioritize the safety of our members, crews, and communities. Updates will be shared here as more information becomes available.
Mutton Busting: Toughest Sport on Wool
Monday | July 2, 2018
For years, the Adams County Fair has provided an opportunity to channel that spirit into a popular rugrat rodeo activity – Mutton Bustin’. Mutton Bustin’ will return with the fair in August, but will introduce an exciting new change from previous event formats.
Read more >
Myths of Energy Efficiency
Monday | February 14, 2022
As your cooperative, we want to provide you with the most useful information and applicable resources to help you save on bills.
Read more >
Title
Myths of Energy Efficiency
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Feb2020_NL_EEMyths.jpg?itok=vFFnVeSz
Friday | February 5, 2021
Card Teaser
As your cooperative, we want to provide you with the most useful information and applicable resources to help you save on bills.
As your cooperative, we want to provide you with the most useful information and applicable resources to help you save on bills. In a previous newsletter, we tackled some common energy efficiency myths. This follow up to that article dives into a few more myths to help you make more informed decisions.
Reducing Energy Use is Too Expensive
The first and most common misconception about energy efficiency is cost. There’s a stigma associated with it that assumes it’s far too expensive to be worth it, which is incorrect. While members can begin to see increased savings by upgrading insulation and replacing old appliances, many of the immediate steps you can take toward using energy efficiently are behavioral changes. Some of these will be addressed below, but others include turning off lights when you leave a room, limiting use of kitchen and bathroom vents, closing doors to empty rooms while heating or cooling systems are running, and remembering to close your curtains in the summer – and conversely open them in the winter – to keep sunlight from affecting the temperature inside your home.
Myth or Truth: Myth
Adjusting the Thermostat Saves Energy
Adjusting your thermostat up or down a few degrees, depending on the season, can help you save energy. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates this little behavioral change could save consumers as much as 10 percent per year on their energy bills. Since heating and cooling our homes accounts for approximately half of our annual energy usage, that could result in significant savings. To see additional savings on your energy bills, you can adjust the thermostat a few more degrees when you and your family won’t be home. It is recommended to practice adjusting your thermostat 6-8 degrees when your home will be empty for several hours, such as when you’re at work. It’s important to note you may not see savings from this practice when you’re only away from the home for a couple hours. This practice is easily paired with a smart thermostat, which can either adjust your thermostat automatically based your location relative to the home or on a pre-programmed schedule. If you and your family are traveling for the holidays, you can set your thermostat to an even lower temperature, roughly 50 degrees, to both save energy and protect your pipes from winter temperatures. In certain situations, it may even be possible to turn your system off altogether, such as a family vacation in the summer or at night when you can allow Colorado’s mild climate to cool your home naturally by opening windows.
Myth or Truth: Truth
Ceiling Fans Keep Rooms Cool
Sitting in a room with a running ceiling fan may feel more comfortable than a room without one, but that’s not because the ceiling fan is actually cooling the air in the room. Instead, the room feels cooler because the ceiling fan keeps air in the room flowing constantly, cooling those who are in the room rather than the air itself. To use ceiling fans efficiently, run them only in occupied rooms while adjusting your thermostat up a few degrees. Leaving a ceiling fan running in an empty room just wastes energy.
Myth or Truth: Myth.
Setting Thermostat Higher Heats Home Faster
No matter what temperature you set your thermostat, your furnace will work equally as hard and fast to meet that goal. The only difference achieved by setting the temperature to a higher degree is that the system will work for a longer period of time, therefore using more energy. The same applies to air conditioners when set to a lower temperature then desired.
Myth or Truth: Myth
Appliances Don’t Use Power When Turned Off
You may have heard the term “vampire loads,” but do you know what causes them? When you turn off an electronic device or appliance, many don’t actually turn off. They go into a “standby” mode, which still draws a small amount of energy. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates these loads are approaching nearly 10% of our annual energy usage, due in large part to the increased number of electronics we use daily. To save energy, make sure your electronics are turned off rather than in standby and unplug unused chargers. Using a smart power strip may be an effective way to combat these loads, as well.
Myth or Truth: Myth
Using energy more efficiently isn’t as difficult as you may believe. Many of the quickest ways to see results are to make small behavioral changes. If you’re curious about more ways you can save, check out our website at www.unitedpower.com/energy-tips or contact an Energy Management Specialist at 303-637-1300.
National Lineman Appreciation Day on April 18, 2019
Friday | March 1, 2019
United Power is dedicated to keeping our members’ lights on. That wouldn’t be possible without the help of our skilled linemen, who work each day behind the scenes to improve our system and prevent outages before they happen.
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National Preparedness Month 2023
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Wednesday | September 13, 2023
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This year’s theme, “Preparing for Older Adults,” touches how to plan ahead.
Colorado is no stranger to weather-related disasters and record-breaking storm systems. Strong storms may dump feet of snow, generate destructive wind speeds, or spark a devastating wildfire. Each September, the Federal Emergency Management Agency recognizes National Preparedness Month to educate and empower Americans to take simple steps to prepare for and respond to potential emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, and visit. This year’s theme, “Preparing for Older Adults,” touches how to plan ahead.
Make a Plan. Expecting the unexpected begins with having a plan in place. Coordinate with your family, loved ones, or caregivers to respond quickly in the event of a disaster or weather-related emergency. A plan should include the following:
Create a support network of family, friends, and others, including caregivers, who can assist you during an emergency. Establish two-way communications, transportation, and living arrangements between you and your care community, especially if power is interrupted. Consider how any pets or service animals can continue receiving care, if necessary.
Make sure at least one person in your support network has an extra key to your home, knows where you keep your emergency supplies, and knows how to use life-saving equipment or administer medicine.
If you undergo routine treatments at a clinic or hospital, find out their emergency plans and work with them to identify backup service providers.
If you rely on any devices for physical assistance, plan on how you will have those with you during an evacuation, if required.
Build a Kit. Gather supplies for several days, considering your unique needs. Include items such as food and water; medications and medical supplies; any necessary medical documentation, such as Medicaid, Medicare, and other insurance cards; pet supplies; batteries and chargers; etc. You may also include items such as a first aid kit, flashlight, and/or radio. Remember to keep your kit updated.
Electronic Benefits. If you depend on Social Security or other regular benefits, switching to electronic payments is a simple, important way to protect yourself financially. You can sign up for direct deposit by calling 800-333-1795 or visiting www.godirect.gov/gpw.
For more information on National Preparedness Month, including sample emergency communications plans, organizations you can volunteer with during disasters, and more, visit www.ready.gov.
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New Fort Lupton Payment Kiosk
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Friday | February 5, 2021
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United Power members living in and around Fort Lupton now have access to a new payment kiosk. The new kiosk is located inside the Bank of Colorado’s Operations Center, 605 4th St.
United Power members living in and around Fort Lupton now have access to a new payment kiosk. The new kiosk is located inside the Bank of Colorado’s Operations Center, 605 4th St.
Payment kiosks are hassle-free and easy to use. To make a payment, bring your United Power account number and a form of payment. Kiosks accept cash, credit card or check payments. Cash and credit card payments made using the kiosk are applied to your account immediately, and accounts subject to disconnection are restored immediately upon payment.
Over the past few years, the cooperative has seen a steady increase in demand from members who prefer to use self-serve and digital account and payment options, and a corresponding reduction in visits to our offices.
“The installation of payment kiosks demonstrates our commitment to providing the types of services our members want,” said Francis Ashu, Member Services Director. “Through our many convenient account management and payment options, we are able to provide the same level of quality service without costs associated with operating a storefront location.”
United Power now operates four payment kiosks, conveniently located throughout the service territory, with the addition of the Fort Lupton kiosk. The other kiosks are located at the cooperative’s office locations in Brighton, Carbon Valley and Coal Creek.
Find more information on payment kiosks and other payment options on our payments page.
New Rates Effective Jan 1, 2020
Tuesday | December 31, 2019
While the increase became effective beginning with usage on January 1, 2020, members won’t see the increase on their bills until February statements are mailed out.
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