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Notice of Change in the Tariffs of United Power, Inc.
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Tuesday | November 27, 2018
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The present and proposed tariff provisions are available for examination at United Power's physical location in Brighton, Ft. Lupton and Coal Creek Canyon.
As Published in the Denver Post and Longmont Times Call: November 9th, 2018
You are hereby notified that UNITED POWER, INC. (United) proposes to make changes to several of its rate tariff schedules to become effective for energy usage on or after January 1, 2019 (billings issued after February 1, 2019). A cost of service study was updated and indicated an increase was necessary for several rate classes. There will be a rate increase to the Residential (R1) rate class of 1.5% and a 2% increase to the Residential Time of Use (RTD1) and Irrigation (IRR2) rate classes. The Industrial Service – Substation or Transmission (ITD1, ITD2, ITD3 and ITD4) rate classes will have an increase of .7 mills per kWh. The Residential (R1), Residential Time of Use (RTD1), Small Commercial (C1), Small Commercial Time of Use (CTD1), Irrigation (IRR2) and Small Industrial Primary (SIP1) will have a demand charge of $1.00 per kW added with a reduction in the energy charge per kWh. The Residential Demand Pilot Rate (RD1) will be eliminated and a new Smart Choice rate will be established for residential service. There will be minor rate language updates for consistency to Residential (R1), Residential Time of Use (RTD1), Small Commercial (C1), Small Commercial Time of Use (CTD1), Irrigation (IRR2), Small Industrial Primary (SIP1), Large Commercial Secondary Demand (ISD1) and Large Industrial Primary Demand (IPD1) rate classes. The Rules and Regulations, Service Rules and Regulations, and the Service Connection and Line Extension Policies will be reformatted.
The present and proposed tariff provisions are available for examination at the Coal Creek Branch Office, located at 5 Gross Dam Road, Golden, Colorado; the Ft. Lupton Branch office located at 1200 Dexter Street, Ft. Lupton, Colorado; and the headquarters office located at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton Colorado.
Anyone who desires to comment about the proposed changes shall file either an informal complaint or a formal complaint with United at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton, Colorado 80603 at least 10 days before the proposed effective date.
An informal complaint shall be in writing and shall contain such facts and other information to adequately state the reason(s) for the complaint. An informal complaint shall be considered by United, in regard to the proposed tariff changes, but will not require that a hearing be held.
Anyone who desires a hearing must file a specific and formal complaint to the proposed changes and a request for hearing at least 10 days before the proposed effective date. A formal complaint shall be in writing in the form prescribed by United’s Regulations Governing Consumer Complaints and Related Matters. Upon request, a copy of said regulations is available from United.
United may hold a hearing to determine what changes will be authorized, regardless of complaints. If proper formal complaints and request for hearings are timely filed, the Board shall schedule a hearing. The changes ultimately authorized may or may not be the same as those proposed and may include changes different than those tariffs proposed or currently in effect. Anyone who desires to receive notice of hearings, if any, shall make a written request therefor to United, at the above address at least 10 days before the proposed effective date.
UNITED POWER, INC
By: John D. Parker, Chief Executive Officer
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Notice of Change in the Tariffs of United Power, Inc.
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Monday | October 8, 2018
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You are hereby notified that UNITED POWER, INC. (United) proposes to update Interconnection Standards and make changes to several tariff sheets to become effective on November 1, 2018.
Date of Notice: October 10, 2018
You are hereby notified that UNITED POWER, INC. (United) proposes to update Interconnection Standards and make changes to several tariff sheets to become effective on November 1, 2018. The Reserve Capacity rate for Net Metering will be eliminated and the wording in the Net Metering rate tariff is updated to reflect current language for Interconnection Standards.
The present and proposed tariff provisions are available for examination at the Coal Creek Branch Office, located at 5 Gross Dam Road, Golden, Colorado; the Ft. Lupton Branch office located at 1200 Dexter Street, Ft. Lupton, Colorado; and the headquarters office located at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton Colorado.
Anyone who desires to comment about the proposed changes shall file either an informal complaint or a formal complaint with United at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton, Colorado 80603 at least 10 days before the proposed effective date.
An informal complaint shall be in writing and shall contain such facts and other information to adequately state the reason(s) for the complaint. An informal complaint shall be considered by United, in regard to the proposed tariff changes, but will not require that a hearing be held.
Anyone who desires a hearing must file a specific and formal complaint to the proposed changes and a request for hearing at least 10 days before the proposed effective date. A formal complaint shall be in writing in the form prescribed by United’s Regulations Governing Consumer Complaints and Related Matters. Upon request, a copy of said regulations is available from United.
United may hold a hearing to determine what changes will be authorized, regardless of complaints. If proper formal complaints and request for hearings are timely filed, the Board shall schedule a hearing. The changes ultimately authorized may or may not be the same as those proposed and may include changes different than those tariffs proposed or currently in effect. Anyone who desires to receive notice of hearings, if any, shall make a written request therefor to United, at the above address at least 10 days before the proposed effective date.
UNITED POWER, INC
By: John D. Parker, Chief Executive Officer
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Notice of Change in the Tariffs of United Power, Inc.
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Monday | November 20, 2017
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You are hereby notified that UNITED POWER, INC. (United) proposes to make changes to several of its rate tariff schedules to become effective for energy usage on or after January 1, 2018 (billings issued after February 1, 2018).
You are hereby notified that UNITED POWER, INC. (United) proposes to make changes to several of its rate tariff schedules to become effective for energy usage on or after January 1, 2018 (billings issued after February 1, 2018). A cost of service study was completed and indicated a fixed charge cost increase to the Residential R1 rate class of $2.00/month. The Industrial Service Substation or Transmission ITD1, ITD2, ITD3 and ITD4 rate classes will have a fixed charge increase of $500.00/month. The Grid Access Demand charge will increase for ITD3 to $3.50/kW and ITD4 will increase to $4.00/kW. The Power Cost Adjustment charge will be added into the energy charge for all effected rate classes and then zeroed out. There will be billing language clean up consistent with rate tariffs on all rate classes and Non-Standard Meter Fees will be made available to members with either behind the meter distributed generation or AMI opt-out. Also, the re-connection fee will be decreased for AMI metered accounts only.
The present and proposed tariff provisions are available for examination at the Coal Creek Branch Office, located at 5 Gross Dam Road, Golden, Colorado; the Ft. Lupton Branch office located at 1200 Dexter Street, Ft. Lupton, Colorado; and the headquarters office located at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton Colorado.
Anyone who desires to comment about the proposed changes shall file either an informal complaint or a formal complaint with United at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton, Colorado 80603 at least 10 days before the proposed effective date.
An informal complaint shall be in writing and shall contain such facts and other information to adequately state the reason(s) for the complaint. An informal complaint shall be considered by United, in regard to the proposed tariff changes, but will not require that a hearing be held.
Anyone who desires a hearing must file a specific and formal complaint to the proposed changes and a request for hearing at least 10 days before the proposed effective date. A formal complaint shall be in writing in the form prescribed by United’s Regulations Governing Consumer Complaints and Related Matters. Upon request, a copy of said regulations is available from United.
United may hold a hearing to determine what changes will be authorized, regardless of complaints. If proper formal complaints and request for hearings are timely filed, the Board shall schedule a hearing. The changes ultimately authorized may or may not be the same as those proposed and may include changes different than those tariffs proposed or currently in effect. Anyone who desires to receive notice of hearings, if any, shall make a written request therefor to United, at the above address at least 10 days before the proposed effective date.
UNITED POWER, INC
By: John Parker, Chief Executive Officer
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November Message from Mark A. Gabriel
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Monday | November 3, 2025
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
These days it is easy for national headlines and political turmoil to distract us from the prime directive of electric cooperatives like United Power, which is to safely keep the lights on in the most cost effective and sustainable way possible.
Every day and night the women and men of United Power are clearly focused on our mission. There is an old saying, loosely adopted by the U.S. Postal Service, from the translation of Herodotus’ Histories that says, “It is said that as many days as there are in the whole journey, so many are the men and horses that stand along the road, each horse and man at the interval of a day’s journey; and these are stayed neither by snow nor rain nor heat nor darkness from accomplishing their appointed course with all speed.” This is more appropriately the mantra of the people at United Power who work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year in some of the most challenging weather conditions to ensure the lights stay on.
We have a tremendous team — from the dispatchers working around the clock to the crews who build the system to the engineers planning the system to the member services representatives answering your questions. Every one of our 200+ employees does their part. They are dedicated to your cooperative with the support of our visionary Board of Directors who spend countless hours guiding the execution of Our Cooperative Roadmap.
Federal funding cancellations affecting projects are indeed disappointing — and confusing as the entire industry faces challenges brought on by significant increases in electric demand. Our actions are focused on physics, not politics, and we will continue to make sure we have a diverse portfolio of hyper-localized resources, coupled with power from a variety of transmission-delivered electricity.
We recently contracted for the Fortress Project, a 200 megawatt (MW) solar project supported by 150 MW of battery storage. Combined with our existing 119 MW of batteries, United Power leads the way in the West.
Data centers receive a lot of blame for increasing energy costs, but that is only a fraction of the pressure on rates. While there is a narrative that data centers support the artificial intelligence invading our lives, many of us believe requiring these companies to invest in upgrades and support of renewable energy mandates will actually help lower rates. United Power’s LIT (location, investment, and timing) process requires developers of large projects to pay for the costs of infrastructure. This process, once further utilized and refined, is expected to be a model for other utilities.
There are other realities we are facing. The inflationary pressures on equipment are dramatic. We see this in our everyday lives at the grocery store but certainly in the materials we need to purchase to keep the lights on. Over the past several years the cost of things as simple as a basic work truck have gone up more than 30%, steel and aluminum have increased significantly due to tariffs, and health care costs continue to climb beyond the rate of inflation.
At United Power we have moved ahead on a new asset management system that will allow us to focus on replacing equipment at the right time, manage inventory more efficiently, and understand problems before they spread widely. Additionally, the partnership with all of you, our members, as we move toward becoming a distribution system operator (DSO) means we will be able to aggregate local generation in support of the market when it comes in April 2026.
We do have some additional challenges that must be addressed. The lack of transmission — which is exacerbated by local utilities trying to control the lines for their own benefit — is one of the critical issues we are attacking. Meeting the state’s 2030 emissions requirements is harder because of this situation, but I am confident in the great team at United Power and their ability to find a solution.
As always, please feel free to reach out with any comments or questions. It is my honor to serve as your President and CEO and to lead this team of amazing people.
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November Message from Mark A. Gabriel
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Monday | November 1, 2021
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
At the turn of the past century (1900, not 2000) there were as many electric vehicles as gas powered cars. The EVs of the day were more expensive, but quieter, cleaner and easier to start and drive. Now, 120 years later, EVs are becoming increasingly popular, with nearly 4,000 United Power members driving one, and the numbers are growing.
With an electric grid in its infancy and before the creation of rural electric cooperatives, most of America outside of its cities would not be fully electrified for another 25 years. Gasoline became an essential commodity. Although it was dirty, noisy and somewhat flammable, it was also portable and easy to move across great distances in bulk, allowing for rapid expansion.
I had the opportunity to drive many of the early EVs on the market during my time at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) 20 years ago – the ill-fated EV1, an all-electric RAV4, a converted S-10 pickup and an experimental Honda. They all shared similar benefits to today’s EVs: rapid acceleration, amazing handling – due to the weight of the batteries – and were eerily quiet. I also clearly recall taking the pickup to my daughter’s school for a show and tell, driving across the San Mateo bridge to my home in Pleasanton, Cali. and nervously watching the battery meter drifting toward zero.
My, how has the world changed. An expanding electric grid has made electricity the commodity, EV battery life is now up to 300 miles or more and we have 49 publicly available “Level 2” chargers and seven DC Fast Chargers (two owned by United Power) in our service territory. The network is rapidly expanding across Colorado and the U.S. Now, with most charging taking place at home, United Power will soon begin offering a leasing program for home chargers to our members.
I have been driving an electric vehicle almost daily for the past seven months and have learned much in that time. The Tesla Model 3 I drive is a pleasure and nothing short of a modern engineering miracle – an iPhone on wheels. But it is different in other ways too, some of which take getting used to versus traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
First and foremost, more planning is involved for long trips. I made a journey to Wyoming for a Tri-State meeting, a distance of about 250 miles. Although the car would have made it on a single charge there were no fast chargers available at my destination. So, my car instructed me to stop at Laramie for a 15-minute charge coming and going. This means not pushing on to the next gas/charging station since that might be miles away. Secondly, since most people charge at home and “filling up” at 120 volts takes a long time, United Power’s upcoming Level 2 leasing program targets the length of time it takes to charge while adding sophistication to the timing of the charge for better bill management.
There are four key questions to ask as you consider an EV for your next ride:
Does it meet my needs? My other vehicle is a 4WD Ford- F-250 with a 7.3-liter gas engine since towing my camper, heading to the woods for hunting or even making it up to my house on the mountain at 9,000 feet in the winter would be a challenge.
Do I like it? As with any automobile purchase, our cars reflect our personal tastes. Early EVs were, well, not exactly “attractive” to most of us. The “geek look” worked for some, but not all.
Can I afford it? The total cost of an EV is much less expensive than an ICE with no tune-ups or oil changes and fewer mechanical things to go wrong. There are roughly 30% fewer parts in an EV. However, some of the initial costs may be higher.
How can I fuel it? For apartment dwellers or renters, charging at home might be a challenge. For homeowners, it might require an additional 240-volt service on your electric panel. The great news is that the availability of public charging is dramatically increasing.
As your electric cooperative we are here to help answer your questions. You can find information online at ChooseEV or by calling 720-685-5644.
Come join the EV revolution!
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November Message from Mark. A. Gabriel
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Friday | November 3, 2023
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
I remember my second day on the job at Central Vermont Public Service when the process of setting electric rates was explained to me by the utility’s head of ratemaking. My head was swimming with numbers when the CEO, Tom Webb, whom I had never met, popped into the room. Shaking his head, he told me the only thing I needed to know about rates is to keep them as low as possible and always at or below the rate of inflation.
United Power’s staff has worked diligently to keep all costs in check, including insurance premiums. Initiatives like our industry-leading wildfire mitigation plan have allowed us to secure insurance coverage and keep premium increases low. The same is true for the efforts around insurance for cybersecurity, medical, and facilities.
Additionally, the entire organization is working to improve processes to better manage resources and ensure high reliability as costs increase. The cooperative is identifying pathways to optimize efficiency, such as expanding its asset management program to allow for more cost-effective planning.
We have all felt the recent challenges of inflation. Here at your cooperative, we have held rates flat since Jan. 1, 2020, despite galloping increases in all areas. A typical distribution transformer found near your home used to cost $1,747 in 2019 and today runs $3,113 – assuming one is even available due to supply chain shortages. The cost for larger units has increased nearly 150%, from $35,689 to $88,286. Even simple electrical cable, the main commodity in our business, has gone from $2.39 per foot to $3.81 – a 59% increase!
Power supply represents 75% of our costs. No matter how well we manage the other 25%, the cost of power has the largest impact on rates. Our current power supplier has filed at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a considerable rate increase effective Jan. 1, 2024. The change in their rate structure will impact United Power significantly due to the shift from generation costs to transmission. Specifically, if they charge more for transmission – to deliver the power – those costs will have an effect on the rates we have to pay on your behalf.
The good news is that effective May 1, 2024, United Power will move to a competitive market for power with the selection of at least nine providers. Over time, we will have more control over our generation costs as we increase the amount of carbon-free resources and deploy and manage one of the nation’s first distributed battery storage systems. These systems will allow us to buy and store power when energy prices are low and use it when the demand is high. As a wholesale energy market comes to Colorado in 2026, we will further be able to leverage becoming a distribution system operator by buying and selling resources across the western marketplace.
Even with our concerted efforts, we must implement a rate increase across all our member classes, because we recognize the importance of operating a financially strong member-owned cooperative. We are extremely conscious of the impact that even a small rate increase has on our members and commit to continue working to find ways to lower rates into the future.
United Power wants to work with you to help manage your electric bills and has a team of dedicated employees to provide information, audits, and tips to moderate any rate impacts. They can be reached during normal business hours by phone at 303-637-1300 or via online chat at www.unitedpower.com. Likewise, members may email the United Power Member Services team.
The new rates, which go into effect Jan. 1, are split between the demand charge and energy charge. The energy component will include a power cost adjustment, providing us the flexibility to move that portion up and down if needed.
Inflation has risen a staggering 21% since our last rate increase four years ago. I hear my old CEO’s words echoing in the back of my mind: “…keep rates as low as possible, and always at or below the rate of inflation.” Tom, we are working hard to do just that!
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
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October is Co-op Month
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Monday | October 1, 2018
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This October, United Power will join more than 30,000 cooperatives across the country to celebrate National Co-op Month.
This October, United Power will join more than 30,000 cooperatives across the country to celebrate National Co-op Month. More than 1,000 electric cooperatives serve rural communities in America. Rural electric cooperatives were established to deliver power to parts of the country that the larger, investor-owned companies had no interest in serving due to the increased costs incurred from less densely populated areas.
The demand for renewable energy, electric vehicles and new technology is at an all-time high. As your electric provider, United Power is focused on utilizing the latest technology to bring you safe and reliable power.
While technological improvements allow us to provide energy more efficiently and renewable options become more feasible in our industry, one thing about us remains unchanged. As your cooperative, we operate under a set of principles that guide how we interact and engage with our members and the communities we serve.
At their core, cooperatives care for their communities. From educating and empowering youth through safety demonstrations, scholarship opportunities or leadership training to sponsoring local fairs, festivals and parades, you’ll regularly find United Power actively involved in and around the communities we serve.
So far this year, United Power has attended more than 30 fairs and festivals, provided thousands of dollars in college scholarships to high school seniors and sent five area youth on leadership training trips.
Preparing for the future also means supporting community growth and development. United Power’s employees work as partners in the cities and towns we serve, helping each community reach its vision for the future. Employees are encouraged to have active roles within their communities through involvement in local organizations and charities, sitting on boards and councils and supporting local schools.
Employees sit on the board of school foundations, non-profits, chambers of commerce, economic development councils, leadership councils and more. Their presence helps strengthen not only the communities, but our relationship to them.
While leadership within United Power has a strategic vision for the future, our members may see opportunities they’d like to share with us. As a member, you have a voice in the cooperative. Cooperatives have democratically elected leadership. Members are eligible to run for Board seats and vote in annual elections.
United Power isn’t alone in caring for communities. These are principles found within cooperatives throughout the country and in every industry. More than 350 million members benefit from the cooperative difference. Cooperatives generate jobs, keep profits local and pay taxes to help support community services. Their community involvement ensures everyone has an opportunity to benefit from cooperative principles.
We understand what really prepares us for the future is you, our members. United Power is proud to be a part of America’s cooperative network, and we are dedicated to bringing safe, reliable electricity to our members.
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October is National Co-op Month
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Tuesday | October 7, 2025
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Members are invited to join in celebrating the contributions cooperatives make in our lives.
Members Invited to Celebrate Cooperative Contribution
United Power is an electric distribution cooperative. That means it is wholly owned by the members it serves and is designed to meet community needs. Co-ops exist across a multitude of markets and industries, including food and agriculture, finance and banking, consumer retail, insurance, healthcare, and more. Distribution co-ops, like United Power, were formed more than 85 years ago when farmers and business owners in rural areas of the country recognized the need and benefit of electricity and found a way to provide it. Today, there are more than 900 such cooperatives providing power to nearly 75% of the country’s landmass and contributing more than 40% of the nation’s electric grid.
October is National Co-op Month, and members are invited to join in celebrating the contributions of cooperatives in our lives. Co-ops are different from their for-profit counterparts by a commitment to empowering local communities and encouraging a spirit of service.
United Power serves some of the fastest growing cities not just in Colorado but in the country. The cooperative is an innovative energy partner helping meet the growing needs of these transforming communities. It also helps coordinate economic development, supports local nonprofits aiding residents, and sponsors programs that enhance each community. Many employees live, work, play, and serve locally. Their faces are recognizable on local chamber of commerce and nonprofit boards or at fairs, festivals, and other community events.
United Power puts money back into the community every year through scholarships, youth development, sponsorships, and more. The cooperative awarded more than $35,000 in scholarships to local high school students in the spring and four additional scholarships worth $7,500 to students enrolled in a dedicated lineworker program in December. Six students were selected to represent the co-op on youth leadership trips to Washington, D.C. and Steamboat Springs, where peers elected one of them to return as an ambassador next summer. This summer, United Power was once again the Adams County Fair’s presenting sponsor, in addition to supporting community celebrations and events in Fort Lupton, Frederick, Mead, Keenesburg, Gilpin County, and more.
While United Power’s first priority is ensuring the safe and reliable distribution of electricity to its residential, commercial, and industrial members, the cooperative is more than just your neighborhood energy provider. It is powered locally by local people, supporting the growth, development, and prosperity of the communities they — and you — call home.
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October is National Co-op Month
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Friday | September 16, 2022
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Cooperatives exist for you, our members, and to empower each city and town’s unique vision for their community. It is the cooperative way.
Commitment to Community Continues to Guide Cooperative Through Industry Changes
This October, United Power invites our members to join us in honoring National Co-op Month, a celebration of the commitment cooperatives have for their communities and their members. Cooperatives provide many of the same products and services you can get from for-profit businesses, but for uniquely different reasons. They were established as an extension of the local community to spur growth and development while also providing critical services necessary for a thriving city. It was the foundational commitment to community that fueled our founders to establish United Power and deliver the life-changing benefits of power to small rural areas northeast of Denver when larger investor-owned utilities would not. It guided our strategy in our infancy and continues to guide us as the electric industry enters an unprecedented period of change.
This was never more evident than when we debuted Our Cooperative Roadmap (Roadmap)earlier this year. The Roadmap is a detailed action plan to respond to industry changes and modifications in energy usage as electrification becomes an even more essential societal fixture. It identifies four distinct but dependent priority areas the cooperative is addressing to maximize member benefit as technology evolves and the energy fuel mix shifts to more renewable resources. This includes the decision to exit our wholesale power supply contract, which becomes effective in May 2024, and will allow United Power to offer members more competitive rate options. More information on the Roadmap here.
United Power has launched new program initiatives this year to acknowledge the changing energy needs of both the cooperative and our members. The redesigned summer cooling program, Smart Rewards, allows members to earn money back for enrolling in a demand response and control plan that helps us control costs which are then passed back on to the member. The cooperative also launched an all-new electric vehicle pilot program, United EV, which provides at-home charging solutions and wiring rebates for a small monthly fee. This includes the installation of a level 2 charger and all unit maintenance for the duration of your enrollment. For more information on United EV, click here.
Although the cooperative continues to roll out new member programs, it hasn’t strayed from its roots as a proud supporter of local communities. United Power distributed more than $20,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors this year and sent two qualifying students for a weeklong leadership training experience in Washington D.C., known as the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. We were also the presenting sponsor of the Adams County Fair in August and have sponsored well over two dozen other community fairs, festivals, parades, and other local events. We are committed to providing educational opportunities, like our safety trailer demonstration, and have many employees serving on local boards and councils.
Cooperatives exist for you, our members, and to empower each city and town’s unique vision for their community. It is the cooperative way.
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October is National Co-op Month
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Monday | October 4, 2021
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United Power invites our members to join us in honoring National Co-op Month. There are more than 64,000 cooperatives stretching across almost every industry that touches our daily lives, and more than 800 of them are local electric co-ops.
United Power is an Essential Partner in Local Communities
Cooperatives are more than a local business. Not only do they provide the same products and services as their for-profit counterparts, they also go beyond the business, placing great emphasis on community involvement and the flourishing of its members. Without the members we serve, there would be no United Power. We’re invested in making each and every one of our communities the best version of itself and empowering our members to be a part of that vision.
This October, United Power invites our members to join us in honoring National Co-op Month, a celebration of the commitment cooperatives have for their communities and members. There are more than 64,000 cooperatives stretching across almost every industry that touches our daily lives, and more than 800 of them are local electric co-ops. Electric co-ops provide power to nearly 60% of the country’s landmass, maintain more than 40% of its distribution grid — approximately 3 million miles of line — and serve more than 40 million members across 2,500 counties in 47 states.
Birthed out of the hard work of our members more than 80 years ago, electric cooperatives were established to deliver power to parts of the country larger investor-owned utilities had no interest in serving. When co-ops were formed to deliver power to these rural communities, they also made a commitment to serve and strengthen the communities within their service territory through investment in the economy, supporting local nonprofits and developing future leaders.
United Power works closely with its communities to support them directly and indirectly. It maintains close relationships with locally owned and operated businesses. Employees serve on the boards of local nonprofits, chambers of commerce, economic development councils and more.
The cooperative’s commitment to its communities and members was on full display over the past 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. From temporary suspension of disconnects to contributing $550,000 to the Co-op Cares Fund to provide direct support to members affected throughout the pandemic, United Power put its words into demonstrable action. It established the Member Choice Grants program to help the cooperative direct support to areas members care about and Operation Round-Up, a voluntary member-funded organization supported by the cooperative, went above and beyond to provide additional assistance to area nonprofits where it was needed.
United Power also continued to provide thousands of dollars in scholarships to area seniors pursuing a post-secondary education and sponsored dozens of virtual community events while in-person events were not possible. When community events did return this summer, the cooperative played a vital role in making them happen, including fairs, festivals and local movie nights and celebrations.
While some electric cooperatives remain small and rural, others have outgrown their rural roots. As communities have grown from rural farming communities to suburban commuter communities or even urban centers, so has United Power’s commitment to those communities. No matter where you live or how you use electricity, you can count on United Power to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy and to make serving you its priority.
October is National Co-op Month
Tuesday | October 1, 2019
There are more than 64,000 co-ops in the United States. Nearly 1,000 cooperatives are electric utilities.
Read more >
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Notice of Change in the Tariffs of United Power, Inc.
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Tuesday | November 27, 2018
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The present and proposed tariff provisions are available for examination at United Power's physical location in Brighton, Ft. Lupton and Coal Creek Canyon.
As Published in the Denver Post and Longmont Times Call: November 9th, 2018
You are hereby notified that UNITED POWER, INC. (United) proposes to make changes to several of its rate tariff schedules to become effective for energy usage on or after January 1, 2019 (billings issued after February 1, 2019). A cost of service study was updated and indicated an increase was necessary for several rate classes. There will be a rate increase to the Residential (R1) rate class of 1.5% and a 2% increase to the Residential Time of Use (RTD1) and Irrigation (IRR2) rate classes. The Industrial Service – Substation or Transmission (ITD1, ITD2, ITD3 and ITD4) rate classes will have an increase of .7 mills per kWh. The Residential (R1), Residential Time of Use (RTD1), Small Commercial (C1), Small Commercial Time of Use (CTD1), Irrigation (IRR2) and Small Industrial Primary (SIP1) will have a demand charge of $1.00 per kW added with a reduction in the energy charge per kWh. The Residential Demand Pilot Rate (RD1) will be eliminated and a new Smart Choice rate will be established for residential service. There will be minor rate language updates for consistency to Residential (R1), Residential Time of Use (RTD1), Small Commercial (C1), Small Commercial Time of Use (CTD1), Irrigation (IRR2), Small Industrial Primary (SIP1), Large Commercial Secondary Demand (ISD1) and Large Industrial Primary Demand (IPD1) rate classes. The Rules and Regulations, Service Rules and Regulations, and the Service Connection and Line Extension Policies will be reformatted.
The present and proposed tariff provisions are available for examination at the Coal Creek Branch Office, located at 5 Gross Dam Road, Golden, Colorado; the Ft. Lupton Branch office located at 1200 Dexter Street, Ft. Lupton, Colorado; and the headquarters office located at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton Colorado.
Anyone who desires to comment about the proposed changes shall file either an informal complaint or a formal complaint with United at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton, Colorado 80603 at least 10 days before the proposed effective date.
An informal complaint shall be in writing and shall contain such facts and other information to adequately state the reason(s) for the complaint. An informal complaint shall be considered by United, in regard to the proposed tariff changes, but will not require that a hearing be held.
Anyone who desires a hearing must file a specific and formal complaint to the proposed changes and a request for hearing at least 10 days before the proposed effective date. A formal complaint shall be in writing in the form prescribed by United’s Regulations Governing Consumer Complaints and Related Matters. Upon request, a copy of said regulations is available from United.
United may hold a hearing to determine what changes will be authorized, regardless of complaints. If proper formal complaints and request for hearings are timely filed, the Board shall schedule a hearing. The changes ultimately authorized may or may not be the same as those proposed and may include changes different than those tariffs proposed or currently in effect. Anyone who desires to receive notice of hearings, if any, shall make a written request therefor to United, at the above address at least 10 days before the proposed effective date.
UNITED POWER, INC
By: John D. Parker, Chief Executive Officer
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Notice of Change in the Tariffs of United Power, Inc.
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Monday | October 8, 2018
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You are hereby notified that UNITED POWER, INC. (United) proposes to update Interconnection Standards and make changes to several tariff sheets to become effective on November 1, 2018.
Date of Notice: October 10, 2018
You are hereby notified that UNITED POWER, INC. (United) proposes to update Interconnection Standards and make changes to several tariff sheets to become effective on November 1, 2018. The Reserve Capacity rate for Net Metering will be eliminated and the wording in the Net Metering rate tariff is updated to reflect current language for Interconnection Standards.
The present and proposed tariff provisions are available for examination at the Coal Creek Branch Office, located at 5 Gross Dam Road, Golden, Colorado; the Ft. Lupton Branch office located at 1200 Dexter Street, Ft. Lupton, Colorado; and the headquarters office located at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton Colorado.
Anyone who desires to comment about the proposed changes shall file either an informal complaint or a formal complaint with United at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton, Colorado 80603 at least 10 days before the proposed effective date.
An informal complaint shall be in writing and shall contain such facts and other information to adequately state the reason(s) for the complaint. An informal complaint shall be considered by United, in regard to the proposed tariff changes, but will not require that a hearing be held.
Anyone who desires a hearing must file a specific and formal complaint to the proposed changes and a request for hearing at least 10 days before the proposed effective date. A formal complaint shall be in writing in the form prescribed by United’s Regulations Governing Consumer Complaints and Related Matters. Upon request, a copy of said regulations is available from United.
United may hold a hearing to determine what changes will be authorized, regardless of complaints. If proper formal complaints and request for hearings are timely filed, the Board shall schedule a hearing. The changes ultimately authorized may or may not be the same as those proposed and may include changes different than those tariffs proposed or currently in effect. Anyone who desires to receive notice of hearings, if any, shall make a written request therefor to United, at the above address at least 10 days before the proposed effective date.
UNITED POWER, INC
By: John D. Parker, Chief Executive Officer
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Notice of Change in the Tariffs of United Power, Inc.
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Monday | November 20, 2017
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You are hereby notified that UNITED POWER, INC. (United) proposes to make changes to several of its rate tariff schedules to become effective for energy usage on or after January 1, 2018 (billings issued after February 1, 2018).
You are hereby notified that UNITED POWER, INC. (United) proposes to make changes to several of its rate tariff schedules to become effective for energy usage on or after January 1, 2018 (billings issued after February 1, 2018). A cost of service study was completed and indicated a fixed charge cost increase to the Residential R1 rate class of $2.00/month. The Industrial Service Substation or Transmission ITD1, ITD2, ITD3 and ITD4 rate classes will have a fixed charge increase of $500.00/month. The Grid Access Demand charge will increase for ITD3 to $3.50/kW and ITD4 will increase to $4.00/kW. The Power Cost Adjustment charge will be added into the energy charge for all effected rate classes and then zeroed out. There will be billing language clean up consistent with rate tariffs on all rate classes and Non-Standard Meter Fees will be made available to members with either behind the meter distributed generation or AMI opt-out. Also, the re-connection fee will be decreased for AMI metered accounts only.
The present and proposed tariff provisions are available for examination at the Coal Creek Branch Office, located at 5 Gross Dam Road, Golden, Colorado; the Ft. Lupton Branch office located at 1200 Dexter Street, Ft. Lupton, Colorado; and the headquarters office located at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton Colorado.
Anyone who desires to comment about the proposed changes shall file either an informal complaint or a formal complaint with United at 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton, Colorado 80603 at least 10 days before the proposed effective date.
An informal complaint shall be in writing and shall contain such facts and other information to adequately state the reason(s) for the complaint. An informal complaint shall be considered by United, in regard to the proposed tariff changes, but will not require that a hearing be held.
Anyone who desires a hearing must file a specific and formal complaint to the proposed changes and a request for hearing at least 10 days before the proposed effective date. A formal complaint shall be in writing in the form prescribed by United’s Regulations Governing Consumer Complaints and Related Matters. Upon request, a copy of said regulations is available from United.
United may hold a hearing to determine what changes will be authorized, regardless of complaints. If proper formal complaints and request for hearings are timely filed, the Board shall schedule a hearing. The changes ultimately authorized may or may not be the same as those proposed and may include changes different than those tariffs proposed or currently in effect. Anyone who desires to receive notice of hearings, if any, shall make a written request therefor to United, at the above address at least 10 days before the proposed effective date.
UNITED POWER, INC
By: John Parker, Chief Executive Officer
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November Message from Mark A. Gabriel
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Monday | November 3, 2025
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
These days it is easy for national headlines and political turmoil to distract us from the prime directive of electric cooperatives like United Power, which is to safely keep the lights on in the most cost effective and sustainable way possible.
Every day and night the women and men of United Power are clearly focused on our mission. There is an old saying, loosely adopted by the U.S. Postal Service, from the translation of Herodotus’ Histories that says, “It is said that as many days as there are in the whole journey, so many are the men and horses that stand along the road, each horse and man at the interval of a day’s journey; and these are stayed neither by snow nor rain nor heat nor darkness from accomplishing their appointed course with all speed.” This is more appropriately the mantra of the people at United Power who work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year in some of the most challenging weather conditions to ensure the lights stay on.
We have a tremendous team — from the dispatchers working around the clock to the crews who build the system to the engineers planning the system to the member services representatives answering your questions. Every one of our 200+ employees does their part. They are dedicated to your cooperative with the support of our visionary Board of Directors who spend countless hours guiding the execution of Our Cooperative Roadmap.
Federal funding cancellations affecting projects are indeed disappointing — and confusing as the entire industry faces challenges brought on by significant increases in electric demand. Our actions are focused on physics, not politics, and we will continue to make sure we have a diverse portfolio of hyper-localized resources, coupled with power from a variety of transmission-delivered electricity.
We recently contracted for the Fortress Project, a 200 megawatt (MW) solar project supported by 150 MW of battery storage. Combined with our existing 119 MW of batteries, United Power leads the way in the West.
Data centers receive a lot of blame for increasing energy costs, but that is only a fraction of the pressure on rates. While there is a narrative that data centers support the artificial intelligence invading our lives, many of us believe requiring these companies to invest in upgrades and support of renewable energy mandates will actually help lower rates. United Power’s LIT (location, investment, and timing) process requires developers of large projects to pay for the costs of infrastructure. This process, once further utilized and refined, is expected to be a model for other utilities.
There are other realities we are facing. The inflationary pressures on equipment are dramatic. We see this in our everyday lives at the grocery store but certainly in the materials we need to purchase to keep the lights on. Over the past several years the cost of things as simple as a basic work truck have gone up more than 30%, steel and aluminum have increased significantly due to tariffs, and health care costs continue to climb beyond the rate of inflation.
At United Power we have moved ahead on a new asset management system that will allow us to focus on replacing equipment at the right time, manage inventory more efficiently, and understand problems before they spread widely. Additionally, the partnership with all of you, our members, as we move toward becoming a distribution system operator (DSO) means we will be able to aggregate local generation in support of the market when it comes in April 2026.
We do have some additional challenges that must be addressed. The lack of transmission — which is exacerbated by local utilities trying to control the lines for their own benefit — is one of the critical issues we are attacking. Meeting the state’s 2030 emissions requirements is harder because of this situation, but I am confident in the great team at United Power and their ability to find a solution.
As always, please feel free to reach out with any comments or questions. It is my honor to serve as your President and CEO and to lead this team of amazing people.
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November Message from Mark A. Gabriel
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Monday | November 1, 2021
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
At the turn of the past century (1900, not 2000) there were as many electric vehicles as gas powered cars. The EVs of the day were more expensive, but quieter, cleaner and easier to start and drive. Now, 120 years later, EVs are becoming increasingly popular, with nearly 4,000 United Power members driving one, and the numbers are growing.
With an electric grid in its infancy and before the creation of rural electric cooperatives, most of America outside of its cities would not be fully electrified for another 25 years. Gasoline became an essential commodity. Although it was dirty, noisy and somewhat flammable, it was also portable and easy to move across great distances in bulk, allowing for rapid expansion.
I had the opportunity to drive many of the early EVs on the market during my time at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) 20 years ago – the ill-fated EV1, an all-electric RAV4, a converted S-10 pickup and an experimental Honda. They all shared similar benefits to today’s EVs: rapid acceleration, amazing handling – due to the weight of the batteries – and were eerily quiet. I also clearly recall taking the pickup to my daughter’s school for a show and tell, driving across the San Mateo bridge to my home in Pleasanton, Cali. and nervously watching the battery meter drifting toward zero.
My, how has the world changed. An expanding electric grid has made electricity the commodity, EV battery life is now up to 300 miles or more and we have 49 publicly available “Level 2” chargers and seven DC Fast Chargers (two owned by United Power) in our service territory. The network is rapidly expanding across Colorado and the U.S. Now, with most charging taking place at home, United Power will soon begin offering a leasing program for home chargers to our members.
I have been driving an electric vehicle almost daily for the past seven months and have learned much in that time. The Tesla Model 3 I drive is a pleasure and nothing short of a modern engineering miracle – an iPhone on wheels. But it is different in other ways too, some of which take getting used to versus traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
First and foremost, more planning is involved for long trips. I made a journey to Wyoming for a Tri-State meeting, a distance of about 250 miles. Although the car would have made it on a single charge there were no fast chargers available at my destination. So, my car instructed me to stop at Laramie for a 15-minute charge coming and going. This means not pushing on to the next gas/charging station since that might be miles away. Secondly, since most people charge at home and “filling up” at 120 volts takes a long time, United Power’s upcoming Level 2 leasing program targets the length of time it takes to charge while adding sophistication to the timing of the charge for better bill management.
There are four key questions to ask as you consider an EV for your next ride:
Does it meet my needs? My other vehicle is a 4WD Ford- F-250 with a 7.3-liter gas engine since towing my camper, heading to the woods for hunting or even making it up to my house on the mountain at 9,000 feet in the winter would be a challenge.
Do I like it? As with any automobile purchase, our cars reflect our personal tastes. Early EVs were, well, not exactly “attractive” to most of us. The “geek look” worked for some, but not all.
Can I afford it? The total cost of an EV is much less expensive than an ICE with no tune-ups or oil changes and fewer mechanical things to go wrong. There are roughly 30% fewer parts in an EV. However, some of the initial costs may be higher.
How can I fuel it? For apartment dwellers or renters, charging at home might be a challenge. For homeowners, it might require an additional 240-volt service on your electric panel. The great news is that the availability of public charging is dramatically increasing.
As your electric cooperative we are here to help answer your questions. You can find information online at ChooseEV or by calling 720-685-5644.
Come join the EV revolution!
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November Message from Mark. A. Gabriel
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Friday | November 3, 2023
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A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer.
I remember my second day on the job at Central Vermont Public Service when the process of setting electric rates was explained to me by the utility’s head of ratemaking. My head was swimming with numbers when the CEO, Tom Webb, whom I had never met, popped into the room. Shaking his head, he told me the only thing I needed to know about rates is to keep them as low as possible and always at or below the rate of inflation.
United Power’s staff has worked diligently to keep all costs in check, including insurance premiums. Initiatives like our industry-leading wildfire mitigation plan have allowed us to secure insurance coverage and keep premium increases low. The same is true for the efforts around insurance for cybersecurity, medical, and facilities.
Additionally, the entire organization is working to improve processes to better manage resources and ensure high reliability as costs increase. The cooperative is identifying pathways to optimize efficiency, such as expanding its asset management program to allow for more cost-effective planning.
We have all felt the recent challenges of inflation. Here at your cooperative, we have held rates flat since Jan. 1, 2020, despite galloping increases in all areas. A typical distribution transformer found near your home used to cost $1,747 in 2019 and today runs $3,113 – assuming one is even available due to supply chain shortages. The cost for larger units has increased nearly 150%, from $35,689 to $88,286. Even simple electrical cable, the main commodity in our business, has gone from $2.39 per foot to $3.81 – a 59% increase!
Power supply represents 75% of our costs. No matter how well we manage the other 25%, the cost of power has the largest impact on rates. Our current power supplier has filed at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a considerable rate increase effective Jan. 1, 2024. The change in their rate structure will impact United Power significantly due to the shift from generation costs to transmission. Specifically, if they charge more for transmission – to deliver the power – those costs will have an effect on the rates we have to pay on your behalf.
The good news is that effective May 1, 2024, United Power will move to a competitive market for power with the selection of at least nine providers. Over time, we will have more control over our generation costs as we increase the amount of carbon-free resources and deploy and manage one of the nation’s first distributed battery storage systems. These systems will allow us to buy and store power when energy prices are low and use it when the demand is high. As a wholesale energy market comes to Colorado in 2026, we will further be able to leverage becoming a distribution system operator by buying and selling resources across the western marketplace.
Even with our concerted efforts, we must implement a rate increase across all our member classes, because we recognize the importance of operating a financially strong member-owned cooperative. We are extremely conscious of the impact that even a small rate increase has on our members and commit to continue working to find ways to lower rates into the future.
United Power wants to work with you to help manage your electric bills and has a team of dedicated employees to provide information, audits, and tips to moderate any rate impacts. They can be reached during normal business hours by phone at 303-637-1300 or via online chat at www.unitedpower.com. Likewise, members may email the United Power Member Services team.
The new rates, which go into effect Jan. 1, are split between the demand charge and energy charge. The energy component will include a power cost adjustment, providing us the flexibility to move that portion up and down if needed.
Inflation has risen a staggering 21% since our last rate increase four years ago. I hear my old CEO’s words echoing in the back of my mind: “…keep rates as low as possible, and always at or below the rate of inflation.” Tom, we are working hard to do just that!
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
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October is Co-op Month
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Monday | October 1, 2018
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This October, United Power will join more than 30,000 cooperatives across the country to celebrate National Co-op Month.
This October, United Power will join more than 30,000 cooperatives across the country to celebrate National Co-op Month. More than 1,000 electric cooperatives serve rural communities in America. Rural electric cooperatives were established to deliver power to parts of the country that the larger, investor-owned companies had no interest in serving due to the increased costs incurred from less densely populated areas.
The demand for renewable energy, electric vehicles and new technology is at an all-time high. As your electric provider, United Power is focused on utilizing the latest technology to bring you safe and reliable power.
While technological improvements allow us to provide energy more efficiently and renewable options become more feasible in our industry, one thing about us remains unchanged. As your cooperative, we operate under a set of principles that guide how we interact and engage with our members and the communities we serve.
At their core, cooperatives care for their communities. From educating and empowering youth through safety demonstrations, scholarship opportunities or leadership training to sponsoring local fairs, festivals and parades, you’ll regularly find United Power actively involved in and around the communities we serve.
So far this year, United Power has attended more than 30 fairs and festivals, provided thousands of dollars in college scholarships to high school seniors and sent five area youth on leadership training trips.
Preparing for the future also means supporting community growth and development. United Power’s employees work as partners in the cities and towns we serve, helping each community reach its vision for the future. Employees are encouraged to have active roles within their communities through involvement in local organizations and charities, sitting on boards and councils and supporting local schools.
Employees sit on the board of school foundations, non-profits, chambers of commerce, economic development councils, leadership councils and more. Their presence helps strengthen not only the communities, but our relationship to them.
While leadership within United Power has a strategic vision for the future, our members may see opportunities they’d like to share with us. As a member, you have a voice in the cooperative. Cooperatives have democratically elected leadership. Members are eligible to run for Board seats and vote in annual elections.
United Power isn’t alone in caring for communities. These are principles found within cooperatives throughout the country and in every industry. More than 350 million members benefit from the cooperative difference. Cooperatives generate jobs, keep profits local and pay taxes to help support community services. Their community involvement ensures everyone has an opportunity to benefit from cooperative principles.
We understand what really prepares us for the future is you, our members. United Power is proud to be a part of America’s cooperative network, and we are dedicated to bringing safe, reliable electricity to our members.
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October is National Co-op Month
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Tuesday | October 7, 2025
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Members are invited to join in celebrating the contributions cooperatives make in our lives.
Members Invited to Celebrate Cooperative Contribution
United Power is an electric distribution cooperative. That means it is wholly owned by the members it serves and is designed to meet community needs. Co-ops exist across a multitude of markets and industries, including food and agriculture, finance and banking, consumer retail, insurance, healthcare, and more. Distribution co-ops, like United Power, were formed more than 85 years ago when farmers and business owners in rural areas of the country recognized the need and benefit of electricity and found a way to provide it. Today, there are more than 900 such cooperatives providing power to nearly 75% of the country’s landmass and contributing more than 40% of the nation’s electric grid.
October is National Co-op Month, and members are invited to join in celebrating the contributions of cooperatives in our lives. Co-ops are different from their for-profit counterparts by a commitment to empowering local communities and encouraging a spirit of service.
United Power serves some of the fastest growing cities not just in Colorado but in the country. The cooperative is an innovative energy partner helping meet the growing needs of these transforming communities. It also helps coordinate economic development, supports local nonprofits aiding residents, and sponsors programs that enhance each community. Many employees live, work, play, and serve locally. Their faces are recognizable on local chamber of commerce and nonprofit boards or at fairs, festivals, and other community events.
United Power puts money back into the community every year through scholarships, youth development, sponsorships, and more. The cooperative awarded more than $35,000 in scholarships to local high school students in the spring and four additional scholarships worth $7,500 to students enrolled in a dedicated lineworker program in December. Six students were selected to represent the co-op on youth leadership trips to Washington, D.C. and Steamboat Springs, where peers elected one of them to return as an ambassador next summer. This summer, United Power was once again the Adams County Fair’s presenting sponsor, in addition to supporting community celebrations and events in Fort Lupton, Frederick, Mead, Keenesburg, Gilpin County, and more.
While United Power’s first priority is ensuring the safe and reliable distribution of electricity to its residential, commercial, and industrial members, the cooperative is more than just your neighborhood energy provider. It is powered locally by local people, supporting the growth, development, and prosperity of the communities they — and you — call home.
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October is National Co-op Month
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Friday | September 16, 2022
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Cooperatives exist for you, our members, and to empower each city and town’s unique vision for their community. It is the cooperative way.
Commitment to Community Continues to Guide Cooperative Through Industry Changes
This October, United Power invites our members to join us in honoring National Co-op Month, a celebration of the commitment cooperatives have for their communities and their members. Cooperatives provide many of the same products and services you can get from for-profit businesses, but for uniquely different reasons. They were established as an extension of the local community to spur growth and development while also providing critical services necessary for a thriving city. It was the foundational commitment to community that fueled our founders to establish United Power and deliver the life-changing benefits of power to small rural areas northeast of Denver when larger investor-owned utilities would not. It guided our strategy in our infancy and continues to guide us as the electric industry enters an unprecedented period of change.
This was never more evident than when we debuted Our Cooperative Roadmap (Roadmap)earlier this year. The Roadmap is a detailed action plan to respond to industry changes and modifications in energy usage as electrification becomes an even more essential societal fixture. It identifies four distinct but dependent priority areas the cooperative is addressing to maximize member benefit as technology evolves and the energy fuel mix shifts to more renewable resources. This includes the decision to exit our wholesale power supply contract, which becomes effective in May 2024, and will allow United Power to offer members more competitive rate options. More information on the Roadmap here.
United Power has launched new program initiatives this year to acknowledge the changing energy needs of both the cooperative and our members. The redesigned summer cooling program, Smart Rewards, allows members to earn money back for enrolling in a demand response and control plan that helps us control costs which are then passed back on to the member. The cooperative also launched an all-new electric vehicle pilot program, United EV, which provides at-home charging solutions and wiring rebates for a small monthly fee. This includes the installation of a level 2 charger and all unit maintenance for the duration of your enrollment. For more information on United EV, click here.
Although the cooperative continues to roll out new member programs, it hasn’t strayed from its roots as a proud supporter of local communities. United Power distributed more than $20,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors this year and sent two qualifying students for a weeklong leadership training experience in Washington D.C., known as the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. We were also the presenting sponsor of the Adams County Fair in August and have sponsored well over two dozen other community fairs, festivals, parades, and other local events. We are committed to providing educational opportunities, like our safety trailer demonstration, and have many employees serving on local boards and councils.
Cooperatives exist for you, our members, and to empower each city and town’s unique vision for their community. It is the cooperative way.
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October is National Co-op Month
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Monday | October 4, 2021
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United Power invites our members to join us in honoring National Co-op Month. There are more than 64,000 cooperatives stretching across almost every industry that touches our daily lives, and more than 800 of them are local electric co-ops.
United Power is an Essential Partner in Local Communities
Cooperatives are more than a local business. Not only do they provide the same products and services as their for-profit counterparts, they also go beyond the business, placing great emphasis on community involvement and the flourishing of its members. Without the members we serve, there would be no United Power. We’re invested in making each and every one of our communities the best version of itself and empowering our members to be a part of that vision.
This October, United Power invites our members to join us in honoring National Co-op Month, a celebration of the commitment cooperatives have for their communities and members. There are more than 64,000 cooperatives stretching across almost every industry that touches our daily lives, and more than 800 of them are local electric co-ops. Electric co-ops provide power to nearly 60% of the country’s landmass, maintain more than 40% of its distribution grid — approximately 3 million miles of line — and serve more than 40 million members across 2,500 counties in 47 states.
Birthed out of the hard work of our members more than 80 years ago, electric cooperatives were established to deliver power to parts of the country larger investor-owned utilities had no interest in serving. When co-ops were formed to deliver power to these rural communities, they also made a commitment to serve and strengthen the communities within their service territory through investment in the economy, supporting local nonprofits and developing future leaders.
United Power works closely with its communities to support them directly and indirectly. It maintains close relationships with locally owned and operated businesses. Employees serve on the boards of local nonprofits, chambers of commerce, economic development councils and more.
The cooperative’s commitment to its communities and members was on full display over the past 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. From temporary suspension of disconnects to contributing $550,000 to the Co-op Cares Fund to provide direct support to members affected throughout the pandemic, United Power put its words into demonstrable action. It established the Member Choice Grants program to help the cooperative direct support to areas members care about and Operation Round-Up, a voluntary member-funded organization supported by the cooperative, went above and beyond to provide additional assistance to area nonprofits where it was needed.
United Power also continued to provide thousands of dollars in scholarships to area seniors pursuing a post-secondary education and sponsored dozens of virtual community events while in-person events were not possible. When community events did return this summer, the cooperative played a vital role in making them happen, including fairs, festivals and local movie nights and celebrations.
While some electric cooperatives remain small and rural, others have outgrown their rural roots. As communities have grown from rural farming communities to suburban commuter communities or even urban centers, so has United Power’s commitment to those communities. No matter where you live or how you use electricity, you can count on United Power to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy and to make serving you its priority.
October is National Co-op Month
Tuesday | October 1, 2019
There are more than 64,000 co-ops in the United States. Nearly 1,000 cooperatives are electric utilities.
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