Fire MitigationProactive. Prepared. Engaged.
The allure of Colorado's dense national forests and mountainous terrain also makes it susceptible to factors that increase the risk of wildfires. As your cooperative, United Power takes these growing threats seriously and has continuously engaged in progressive, proactive risk mitigation efforts to prevent the ignition and growth of wildfires due to its infrastructure, particularly within our Mountain Territory. Portions of Gilpin, Boulder, and Jefferson Counties reside within this part of our territory and include heavily forested parts of Golden Gate State Park and parts of both the Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forests.
United Power has a formal Wildfire Mitigation Policy and Plan in place to protect United Power’s infrastructure and reduce the risk of fire ignitions. The plan is continuously evaluated to address the environmental, political, financial, and other factors that influence those risks. Our primary objective is safety; to protect lives and property by reducing the risk of a utility-involved wildfire.
Wildfire Mitigation Plan
Get Involved
Grassroots Network
United Power is building a grassroots network of members who want to get involved in key legislative issues. Members of this group will receive information about issues that could affect their rates, reliability or the operation of their cooperative, and have an opportunity to contact their state and federal representatives to voice their opinion. The goal is to educate interested members on industry issues, and for the members to be active in starting conversations with key legislators, local officials and even other members about how their service might be affected.
There are no mandatory meetings, but we will inform grassroots members about local “city hall” events, voter registration opportunities, and other events. We may even host our own events. There is no cost — just a great opportunity to get involved and learn more about electric cooperatives and our industry.
To sign up for the Grassroots Network, please call Jennifer at 303-637-1248 or complete this form.
CARE / ACRE
Your support of Colorado Advocates for Rural Electrification (CARE) or the Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE) ensures that elected officials who are supportive of electric cooperatives stay in office and continue to support our cause.
CARE is a state-level political action committee (PAC) maintained in Denver and administered by the Colorado Rural Electric Association (CREA) through the CARE Committee and membership. This money is used for candidates, regardless of party affiliation, to the Colorado General Assembly and other statewide offices. CARE money cannot be used for local or county candidates.
ACRE is a federal political action committee (PAC) facilitated by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association(NRECA). ACRE supports congressional candidates, regardless of party, who share public policy goals that are consistent with the mission of member-owned electric cooperatives. Also, half of the contributions to ACRE are returned to the statewide associations for use in state elections. While ACRE supports candidates for the United States House and Senate, it does not contribute to presidential campaigns.
If you are interested in more information about CARE or ACRE, call United Power’s External Affairs department at 303-659-0551.
Operation Round Up
Operation Round-Up
Sign-up to Round-Up!
Operation Round-Up is a voluntary program in which a member elects to have their monthly electric bill ’rounded up’ to the next whole dollar. The money is used to provide assistance to community organizations in the United Power service territory. That small change, an average of 50 cents per month, adds up fast. Since its inception in 1995, Operation Round-Up has donated over $1.5 million to individuals, families and charitable groups in United Power’s service territory.
Use your small change to change someone's life today!
In addition to rounding up your monthly electric bill, here are other ways you can participate:
How does Round-Up work?
Say your electric bill for this month is $40.50. When you participate in Operation Round-Up, your bill will be automatically ’rounded-up’ to $41. That extra 50 cents, or an average of $6 per year, goes a long way to help people in your community.
Where does the Round-Up money go?
All Round-Up contributions are administered by a board of local residents who are members of your community and people who understand the unique needs in this area. Applications are considered separately for funding which covers utility expenses, housing costs and even medical bills. United Power covers all administrative costs of the program to ensure every donated dollar is distributed to worthy groups or organizations who serve United Power members.
How Often does the Round-Up Foundation Meet?
The Operation Round-Up board meets quarterly to consider applications. The meetings take place in January, April, July and October. Applications should be received by the last day of the month prior to the next scheduled quarterly meeting. For instance, an application must be received by March 31st, to be considered at the board’s April meeting. Awards will be distributed after those meeting dates. If you have questions about the planned meeting dates or submission deadlines, please call United Power.
Going SolarSimplifying Your Solar Transition
Deciding to purchase solar panels for your home can seem complicated when you are dealing with both a solar company and the utility. Here at United Power, we strive to make the transition as easy as possible. Although investing in solar energy is not for everyone, United Power wants to be your trusted energy advisor to help you make the best choice for you and your home. United Power has a long history of supporting our rooftop solar members and has received national recognition for the amount of rooftop solar installed per customer in our area.
Below you will find some information to think about as you begin to assess your solar needs. Research initial steps before selecting a system, consider ownership options available to potential households looking into solar generation to offset energy charges from the local cooperative or utility and take steps to purchase a properly sized system for your individual needs through the information provided in the boxes below.
As a solar member, United Power will always be there to back you up when your system is not producing enough energy to power your home.
If you would like more information regarding United Power's solar programs or the process to install solar panels on your home, please email our energy advisors.
Green Power PartnersInvest in Clean, Renewable Power
United Power members can purchase clean, renewable electric power through United Power’s Green Power Partners program. As a Green Power Partner, you can invest in renewable power by purchasing 100 kilowatt-hour blocks. Sign up to purchase as many blocks as you would like.
Every dollar invested in this program goes toward the purchase of new, renewable electric power production, such as wind, solar, and biomass, and fund research and development of emerging renewable technologies.
Current Price: $0.55/blockPrice Effective Aug. 1, 2024Price may fluctuate slightly from month-to-month or season-to-season.
This page is updated to reflect current prices.
Heat PumpsAdvanced Heating & Cooling Systems
With more than 55 percent of annual household energy expenses attributed to heating and cooling, energy experts recommend heat pumps because they are the most economical way to keep your home comfortable year-round. Choosing an energy-efficient heat pump is the best purchase you can make for your home. In fact, a heat pump is an ideal heating and cooling option for almost any building.
A heat pump is basically an air system with a reversing valve. These systems use electricity to move the heat found naturally in the air or ground to keep your home or business comfortable year-round. During the cooling season, a heat pump moves warm air out of your home creating a cool indoor environment just like an air conditioner. During the heating season, a heat pump extracts warm air from outside or beneath the ground and moves it into your home.
Before you purchase a heat pump for your home, read here about how to hire a contractor.
High Bill ConcernsHigher than Average Bill?
Your electric bill can fluctuate for a variety of reasons. Before you contact United Power about your high bill, look into these possible reasons that may explain why your bill was higher than average:
Hiring A Solar InstallerQuestions About Hiring a Solar Contractor?
Hiring the right contractor can be a difficult and time consuming process, but it is every bit as important as the product you are purchasing. Due diligence is critical to ensure you get the best system, for a fair price.
Whether you decide to go with a large general contractor or a small specialty contractor, be sure to hire someone with a contractor’s license, a local business license and three types of insurance: liability, personal injury and workers’ compensation. To verify the quality of work the contractor has provided on previous jobs, ask for a list of references. Use references to check for a history of cost-control, timeliness, good communication, results and – most importantly – quality of previous jobs.
Once you’ve settled on a contractor, be sure to get a written contract, including “as built” details and specifications that include energy performance ratings you researched ahead of time. Contracts should include:
Name of individual doing the installation
Solar panel make, model, power output and warranty
Solar invertor make, model, safety features and warranty
Whether contractor must pay for necessary permits
Be cautious about requests to pre-pay for work. When possible, keep up-front payment as low as possible and set benchmarks the contractor must meet to receive the next payment. Make sure a reasonable amount of payment is not due until work is complete and passes inspections.
Questions to Ask a Solar Contractor
How to Hire a Contractor
As your cooperative, United Power wants to be more than your source of electricity. We also want to be your source of information for energy efficiency home improvement projects, such as heat pumps or solar panel installations.
To make sure you get those energy savings, it’s important to make sure you are researching and selecting the best contractor to get the job done correctly and on time.
How to Read Your Meter
Your Elster electric meter displays usage information specific to your service type and rate. The meter will cycle through several digital displays which include your kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage, usage data specific to your rate, and other system and meter diagnostic information valuable to United Power.
The energy use information collected by your meter will help you understand your energy habits and the best ways to save. In the future, you’ll be able to view your usage information by month, week, day and 15-minute intervals via an online Power Portal. Knowing how much energy you’re consuming on a daily basis can help you better manage your energy use and save money.
Innovating EnergyInnovative Energy Solutions
United Power has built a reputation for adopting and implementing innovative technology over the years to deliver reliable, efficient, and beneficial power its members. Since powering the Sol Partners Cooperative Solar Farm in May 2010, the first community solar project in the state, the cooperative has kept an eye on emerging technology it can bring online to provide safe, reliable energy. United Power added a 4 MW battery storage facility — one of the largest storage facilities in the state — and is building an electric vehicle charging network for electric vehicle drivers. The cooperative's charging network has focused especially on developing an infrastructure to fill gaps in rural parts of the service territory to make EV ownership more practical and accessible for members in those areas.
More than just innovative energy improvement, these projects also make economic sense for the cooperative's members while providing reliable energy.
A list of innovative energy projects the cooperative has incorporated into its portfolio are listed below.
Fire MitigationProactive. Prepared. Engaged.
The allure of Colorado's dense national forests and mountainous terrain also makes it susceptible to factors that increase the risk of wildfires. As your cooperative, United Power takes these growing threats seriously and has continuously engaged in progressive, proactive risk mitigation efforts to prevent the ignition and growth of wildfires due to its infrastructure, particularly within our Mountain Territory. Portions of Gilpin, Boulder, and Jefferson Counties reside within this part of our territory and include heavily forested parts of Golden Gate State Park and parts of both the Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forests.
United Power has a formal Wildfire Mitigation Policy and Plan in place to protect United Power’s infrastructure and reduce the risk of fire ignitions. The plan is continuously evaluated to address the environmental, political, financial, and other factors that influence those risks. Our primary objective is safety; to protect lives and property by reducing the risk of a utility-involved wildfire.
Wildfire Mitigation Plan
Get Involved
Grassroots Network
United Power is building a grassroots network of members who want to get involved in key legislative issues. Members of this group will receive information about issues that could affect their rates, reliability or the operation of their cooperative, and have an opportunity to contact their state and federal representatives to voice their opinion. The goal is to educate interested members on industry issues, and for the members to be active in starting conversations with key legislators, local officials and even other members about how their service might be affected.
There are no mandatory meetings, but we will inform grassroots members about local “city hall” events, voter registration opportunities, and other events. We may even host our own events. There is no cost — just a great opportunity to get involved and learn more about electric cooperatives and our industry.
To sign up for the Grassroots Network, please call Jennifer at 303-637-1248 or complete this form.
CARE / ACRE
Your support of Colorado Advocates for Rural Electrification (CARE) or the Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE) ensures that elected officials who are supportive of electric cooperatives stay in office and continue to support our cause.
CARE is a state-level political action committee (PAC) maintained in Denver and administered by the Colorado Rural Electric Association (CREA) through the CARE Committee and membership. This money is used for candidates, regardless of party affiliation, to the Colorado General Assembly and other statewide offices. CARE money cannot be used for local or county candidates.
ACRE is a federal political action committee (PAC) facilitated by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association(NRECA). ACRE supports congressional candidates, regardless of party, who share public policy goals that are consistent with the mission of member-owned electric cooperatives. Also, half of the contributions to ACRE are returned to the statewide associations for use in state elections. While ACRE supports candidates for the United States House and Senate, it does not contribute to presidential campaigns.
If you are interested in more information about CARE or ACRE, call United Power’s External Affairs department at 303-659-0551.
Operation Round Up
Operation Round-Up
Sign-up to Round-Up!
Operation Round-Up is a voluntary program in which a member elects to have their monthly electric bill ’rounded up’ to the next whole dollar. The money is used to provide assistance to community organizations in the United Power service territory. That small change, an average of 50 cents per month, adds up fast. Since its inception in 1995, Operation Round-Up has donated over $1.5 million to individuals, families and charitable groups in United Power’s service territory.
Use your small change to change someone's life today!
In addition to rounding up your monthly electric bill, here are other ways you can participate:
How does Round-Up work?
Say your electric bill for this month is $40.50. When you participate in Operation Round-Up, your bill will be automatically ’rounded-up’ to $41. That extra 50 cents, or an average of $6 per year, goes a long way to help people in your community.
Where does the Round-Up money go?
All Round-Up contributions are administered by a board of local residents who are members of your community and people who understand the unique needs in this area. Applications are considered separately for funding which covers utility expenses, housing costs and even medical bills. United Power covers all administrative costs of the program to ensure every donated dollar is distributed to worthy groups or organizations who serve United Power members.
How Often does the Round-Up Foundation Meet?
The Operation Round-Up board meets quarterly to consider applications. The meetings take place in January, April, July and October. Applications should be received by the last day of the month prior to the next scheduled quarterly meeting. For instance, an application must be received by March 31st, to be considered at the board’s April meeting. Awards will be distributed after those meeting dates. If you have questions about the planned meeting dates or submission deadlines, please call United Power.
Going SolarSimplifying Your Solar Transition
Deciding to purchase solar panels for your home can seem complicated when you are dealing with both a solar company and the utility. Here at United Power, we strive to make the transition as easy as possible. Although investing in solar energy is not for everyone, United Power wants to be your trusted energy advisor to help you make the best choice for you and your home. United Power has a long history of supporting our rooftop solar members and has received national recognition for the amount of rooftop solar installed per customer in our area.
Below you will find some information to think about as you begin to assess your solar needs. Research initial steps before selecting a system, consider ownership options available to potential households looking into solar generation to offset energy charges from the local cooperative or utility and take steps to purchase a properly sized system for your individual needs through the information provided in the boxes below.
As a solar member, United Power will always be there to back you up when your system is not producing enough energy to power your home.
If you would like more information regarding United Power's solar programs or the process to install solar panels on your home, please email our energy advisors.
Green Power PartnersInvest in Clean, Renewable Power
United Power members can purchase clean, renewable electric power through United Power’s Green Power Partners program. As a Green Power Partner, you can invest in renewable power by purchasing 100 kilowatt-hour blocks. Sign up to purchase as many blocks as you would like.
Every dollar invested in this program goes toward the purchase of new, renewable electric power production, such as wind, solar, and biomass, and fund research and development of emerging renewable technologies.
Current Price: $0.55/blockPrice Effective Aug. 1, 2024Price may fluctuate slightly from month-to-month or season-to-season.
This page is updated to reflect current prices.
Heat PumpsAdvanced Heating & Cooling Systems
With more than 55 percent of annual household energy expenses attributed to heating and cooling, energy experts recommend heat pumps because they are the most economical way to keep your home comfortable year-round. Choosing an energy-efficient heat pump is the best purchase you can make for your home. In fact, a heat pump is an ideal heating and cooling option for almost any building.
A heat pump is basically an air system with a reversing valve. These systems use electricity to move the heat found naturally in the air or ground to keep your home or business comfortable year-round. During the cooling season, a heat pump moves warm air out of your home creating a cool indoor environment just like an air conditioner. During the heating season, a heat pump extracts warm air from outside or beneath the ground and moves it into your home.
Before you purchase a heat pump for your home, read here about how to hire a contractor.
High Bill ConcernsHigher than Average Bill?
Your electric bill can fluctuate for a variety of reasons. Before you contact United Power about your high bill, look into these possible reasons that may explain why your bill was higher than average:
Hiring A Solar InstallerQuestions About Hiring a Solar Contractor?
Hiring the right contractor can be a difficult and time consuming process, but it is every bit as important as the product you are purchasing. Due diligence is critical to ensure you get the best system, for a fair price.
Whether you decide to go with a large general contractor or a small specialty contractor, be sure to hire someone with a contractor’s license, a local business license and three types of insurance: liability, personal injury and workers’ compensation. To verify the quality of work the contractor has provided on previous jobs, ask for a list of references. Use references to check for a history of cost-control, timeliness, good communication, results and – most importantly – quality of previous jobs.
Once you’ve settled on a contractor, be sure to get a written contract, including “as built” details and specifications that include energy performance ratings you researched ahead of time. Contracts should include:
Name of individual doing the installation
Solar panel make, model, power output and warranty
Solar invertor make, model, safety features and warranty
Whether contractor must pay for necessary permits
Be cautious about requests to pre-pay for work. When possible, keep up-front payment as low as possible and set benchmarks the contractor must meet to receive the next payment. Make sure a reasonable amount of payment is not due until work is complete and passes inspections.
Questions to Ask a Solar Contractor
How to Hire a Contractor
As your cooperative, United Power wants to be more than your source of electricity. We also want to be your source of information for energy efficiency home improvement projects, such as heat pumps or solar panel installations.
To make sure you get those energy savings, it’s important to make sure you are researching and selecting the best contractor to get the job done correctly and on time.
How to Read Your Meter
Your Elster electric meter displays usage information specific to your service type and rate. The meter will cycle through several digital displays which include your kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage, usage data specific to your rate, and other system and meter diagnostic information valuable to United Power.
The energy use information collected by your meter will help you understand your energy habits and the best ways to save. In the future, you’ll be able to view your usage information by month, week, day and 15-minute intervals via an online Power Portal. Knowing how much energy you’re consuming on a daily basis can help you better manage your energy use and save money.
Innovating EnergyInnovative Energy Solutions
United Power has built a reputation for adopting and implementing innovative technology over the years to deliver reliable, efficient, and beneficial power its members. Since powering the Sol Partners Cooperative Solar Farm in May 2010, the first community solar project in the state, the cooperative has kept an eye on emerging technology it can bring online to provide safe, reliable energy. United Power added a 4 MW battery storage facility — one of the largest storage facilities in the state — and is building an electric vehicle charging network for electric vehicle drivers. The cooperative's charging network has focused especially on developing an infrastructure to fill gaps in rural parts of the service territory to make EV ownership more practical and accessible for members in those areas.
More than just innovative energy improvement, these projects also make economic sense for the cooperative's members while providing reliable energy.
A list of innovative energy projects the cooperative has incorporated into its portfolio are listed below.
