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President & CEO Speaks on Co-op’s Role in a DSO Energy Delivery Model
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Monday | January 10, 2022
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Presentation Delivered at National Co-op CEO Conference
United Power President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark A. Gabriel, recently joined co-op CEOs Brian Heithoff, of Trico Electric Cooperative, and Eric Hobbie of Prairie Power, Inc. in a panel discussion about electric cooperatives’ role as Distribution System Operators (DSO) at the NRECA CEO Close-Up Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. The conference is attended by hundreds of cooperative CEOs and General Managers and held annually to provide CEOs with insight into industry trends and best practices for managing key challenges.
A growing number of electric cooperatives, including United Power, are moving toward a DSO model, which allows the utility to enhance its relationships with members, provide added services and proactively manage the grid with automation and smart technology. At United Power, continued projected growth and an opportunity to purchase cleaner and more affordable power from a variety of resources combined with the desire for more member-owned and locally generated renewable energy puts the cooperative in a position to take a more integrated and dynamic approach to delivering electricity.
“The energy landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift and the relationship that cooperatives like United Power already have with their member communities has us primed to lead this energy transition,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President & CEO. “A locally-owned cooperative is nimble, innovative and responsive—and is exactly how utilities will need to operate in order to manage a resilient distribution system, efficiently integrate local micro-grids and facilitate the local exchange of energy.”
Gabriel discussed United Power’s 10 Year Working Plan and the strategic considerations the cooperative is undertaking as they move toward a DSO model. The working plan was developed by key staff at the cooperative and it serves as a comprehensive guide to align the board, employees, and members through this dramatic operational shift. By leveraging new technology, expansive energy resources, and updated operations, and new technology, United Power is actively advancing the local distribution system to adapt to the new ways it will provide value and reliable power for members.
“The 10 Year Plan is our playbook outlining the allocation of people, resources, and leadership attention as we drive toward an increasingly dynamic, sustainable, and complex energy future,” said Gabriel. “While we are working to deliver reliable power today, we are planning for the utility of tomorrow. We have started the conversations with our board and our members about what the future of energy will look like and the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Slidedeck from 2022 CEO Close-Up by Mark A. Gabriel
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Putting Down Roots in Carbon Valley
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Friday | March 11, 2022
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Round-Up grant helps St. Vrain Habitat for Humanity provide homes for two families in Carbon Valley.
Round-Up Grant Helps Habitat for Humanity Provide Homes for Two Families
St. Vrain Habitat for Humanity presented two Carbon Valley families with keys to their new homes alongside friends, family, volunteers, and community organizations at a ribbon cutting in January. Among the organizations present at the event was United Power’s Operation Round-Up Foundation.
Habitat for Humanity provides newly constructed homes to families who are positioned for home ownership but are unable to qualify for traditional financing. The organization builds homes from the ground up and sells them at cost to selected families thanks to support from community volunteers. Round-Up awarded Habitat for Humanity a $5,000 grant to help with home construction costs.
“Without the help of community partners like Round-Up, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do for these families,” said Rebecca Shannon, community engagement manager for St. Vrain Habitat for Humanity.
Round-Up is funded entirely by members who voluntarily “round up” their monthly statements to the next whole dollar. The average contribution is approximately $.50 per month. Those funds are then redistributed to nonprofits in various parts of the service territory to ensure as many members receive help as possible.
“We are proud to support community organizations meeting the needs of vulnerable members,” said Joan Kniss, a Round-Up board member. “Habitat for Humanity has a strong track record of lifting people up and lets us see our grant dollars in action.”
Home ownership allows families to put down roots and begin contributing to their local community, Shannon said. Homes are not only built to meet all safety requirements, but are also energy efficient, which lowers the cost of ownership. Selected families are required to demonstrate commitment to their new home by returning volunteer hours helping with the construction of their future homes. Having a hand in building your own home develops a sense of pride in it.
Habitat for Humanity broke ground on a new home in Carbon Valley on March 7. To volunteer, visit www.stvrainhabitat.org.
More than 20% of United Power members voluntarily round up their bills. To enroll in Operation Round-Up, click here.
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Questions about Demand?
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Friday | January 25, 2019
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United Power’s new rate structure went into effect on January 1st, and members will begin to see the 2019 rates reflected as separate demand and energy charges on their February bills. While energy is the total power used, demand refers to the capacity needed to serve your location. The new rates break apart the costs for demand and energy to more fairly charge each member for their impact on the electric system and the energy they use.
United Power’s new rate structure went into effect on January 1st, and members will begin to see the 2019 rates reflected as separate demand and energy charges on their February bills. While energy is the total power used, demand refers to the capacity needed to serve your location. The new rates break apart the costs for demand and energy to more fairly charge each member for their impact on the electric system and the energy they use.
Why did you change to this rate structure?
The way our members use power has changed, and we now have more detailed information about how each member uses that power. On the blended rate, some members were paying more than they should, while others were not paying enough. The demand component allows us to more fairly charge each member in a way that is more closely aligned with our costs to provide that service.
How do I see when I hit my demand?
Demand measures the highest 15-minute interval of power consumption over the billing period and your bill will show you the kilowatt (kW) demand measurement of that highest interval. If you’d like to investigate what contributed to your demand charge, the Power Portal will show you the day and time that your demand peaked. Pinpointing the day and time will give you the information to reflect on how you were using energy.
Perhaps your demand was highest on a cold Saturday afternoon when you had soup on the stove, bread in the oven, the kids were downstairs gaming with a space heater on, and it was marathon laundry and cleaning day for the family. Operating all of these appliances at once required more system capacity for United Power to serve you, and your demand charge for the month is a fairer representation of how you used the electric system.
How can I reduce my demand?
Monitoring your use in the Power Portal will help you understand what is driving your demand. You’ll see the effect of using multiple appliances at once and what your energy profile looks like when you stagger appliances. If you’d like to keep your demand charges as low as possible, small changes in the way you use energy can make a difference. Here are some easy ways to reduce your demand:
Spread out the use of major appliances. Major electrical appliances that may contribute to high demand costs include air conditioners, electric clothes dryers, electric water heaters, electric ranges and ovens.
Use small cooking appliances or an outdoor grill.
Use a programmable or smart thermostat to pre-heat or pre-cool your home before you get home and operate kitchen appliances.
Use a timer on your water heater, dishwasher and pool pump.
Set a timer on your electric vehicle charger for the middle of the night after other major appliances are not in use.
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Quick Thinking Walgreens Clerk Saves United Power Member from Scam
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Friday | October 12, 2018
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The proactive actions of Brighton Walgreens employees prevented a United Power member from becoming the victim of an attempted utility scam—saving the customer hundreds of dollars.
The proactive actions of Brighton Walgreens employees prevented a United Power member from becoming the victim of an attempted utility scam—saving the customer hundreds of dollars. United Power teamed up with the Brighton Police Department Friday afternoon to present Scam Stopper awards to the attentive store employees.
“We commend Walgreens and your employees for looking out for your customers, and stopping this scam attempt,” said Troy Whitmore, United Power Public Affairs Officer. “Unfortunately, this type of scam happens more frequently than we’d like, and not all of our members are this lucky. Proactive efforts by local businesses like Walgreens are one of our best defenses against these scams.”
This phone scam attempt surfaces regularly in the United Power territory. A member is contacted over the phone by a utility imposter who instructs the member to purchase a pre-paid debit card to pay an overdue electric bill. The caller threatens disconnection of electric service if they don’t pay immediately. One lucky member who came close to becoming a victim received a similar call Friday morning. After receiving demands to pay right away, the member visited the Brighton Walgreens to deposit $400 onto a pre-paid debit card.
Walgreens employee, Kathy Olson, was running the register Friday morning and felt uneasy about the transaction after the customer mentioned she was instructed to load the pre-paid card. She consulted with the store’s assistant manager, Jessie Porter, and they advised the member of this type of scam. They encouraged the customer to verify with United Power before giving anyone money over the phone, and the member went straight to United Power’s office.
United Power warns members to be alert to this type of fraudulent activity, and to stay informed of their account status. United Power reminds members that the cooperative will never call in person to collect payment, will never demand pre-paid debit cards as payment for overdue electric bills, and will never visit a member in person to collect money. If ever in doubt, call United Power at the phone number printed on your statement, or log-in to your account online through the SmartHub Billing & Payment portal.
Brighton Police Department encourages residents to always report suspicious activity. Even if you don’t become a victim of a scam, your information helps law enforcement in their efforts to stop the perpetrators of these sophisticated scams.
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Rate Increase Approved
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Friday | November 3, 2023
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The rate increase adjusts for inflation and higher wholesale power costs.
Impact to be Spread Across All Rate Classes
United Power members will see a rate increase effective for usage beginning Jan. 1, 2024. United Power Board members and staff recently reviewed the cooperative’s costs and determined that rates need to be raised an average of 9.5% to help the cooperative maintain a healthy financial profile.
“These decisions are always difficult, and the Board carefully scrutinized spending in all areas across the cooperative before reaching the conclusion that rates need to be increased,” stated Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO. “Your cooperative has worked hard to keep costs as low as possible for members during the last three years, especially when inflation began to impact the cost of nearly everything we need to maintain normal day-to-day operations. While we knew this effort was only a delay tactic, we really aimed to keep rates stable for members while costs for everything else in their households were rising.”
Average Household to See $10-$15 Increase Monthly
The average residential member will see increases in both the demand charge and in the energy charge, while the fixed charge will remain the same. The demand charge will increase from $1.50 to $2.50 per kW, while the energy charge will increase from 9.95 cents per kwh to 10.39 cents.
The average household on the standard residential rate using about 850 kwh per month with a demand of 7 kW will see their bill rise from $114.08 to $124.82, an increase of $10.74.
Residential time-of-use members will see a similar increase, with an increase in demand from $1.50 to $2.50 per kW. On-peak energy charges will rise from 15.4 cents to 16.07, and off-peak energy charges will increase from 5.25 cents per kwh to 5.5 cents. All other rates will see similar increases. See full menu of rate changes here.
The cooperative’s rate model forecasts that most households will see a $10-$15 per month increase in their electric bill. However, the structure of United Power’s rates provides members the ability to keep costs lower by controlling demand. Reducing demand is as simple as not using electric appliances at the same time. Additionally, setting timers on dryers and dishwashers so they start after the family goes to sleep moves the demand of that appliance to a lower use period and actively reduces demand costs.
Learn more about demand and how you can reduce the impact of this portion of your bill..
Why are rates rising now?
It is important to understand that the cost of wholesale power makes up approximately 75% of a member’s bill. United Power’s current wholesale power supplier is planning a large rate increase in 2024, including a significant change in their rate structure. Once approved, the new rate structure will shift expenses from generation to transmission, which will have a considerable impact on United Power even after our exit. In other words, the cost to deliver power to our members will increase next year — regardless of who is generating and supplying that power. Fortunately, the cooperative will begin purchasing and managing its own wholesale power supply on May 1, 2024, giving us greater control over this portion of our power cost.
United Power staff has kept a watchful eye on spending, particularly over the past three years, but our operation is challenged by rising costs just like most households and businesses. Unavoidable increases in property taxes and insurance premiums are impacting the cooperative. Add to this the rising cost of construction materials and critical components like transformers and wire, and it has been a challenge to balance our budgets. Even the costs for attracting and retaining talented employees continues to climb in both wages and benefits.
How Can Your Cooperative Support You?
United Power has numerous resources to help our members manage their energy usage. Weatherization information to make your home envelope tighter, energy audits to provide tips on energy efficiency measures, rebates to support purchasing energy efficient appliances, and information on lifestyle changes that can help reduce costs are all ways we put the power to control costs in our members’ hands.
If you need help managing your electric costs, please feel free to contact us for assistance. Members may reach United Power by phone at 303-637-1300, via email, or by chat at www.unitedpower.com during normal business hours.
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Rebate Requirements Changing in 2018 on Heat Pump Air Conditioners
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Thursday | November 9, 2017
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Beginning next year, members will see some changes to the rebate requirements on heat pump air conditioners as well as an increase in rebate amounts.
Beginning next year, members will see some changes to the rebate requirements on heat pump air conditioners as well as an increase in rebate amounts. Beginning on January 1, 2018, air source heat pumps must have a SEER rating of at least 15 in order to receive a rebate. Air source heat pumps with a 15-17 SEER rating, will receive a $300 per ton rebate from Tri-State Generation and Transmission, and air source heat pumps with a SEER rating above 17 will receive a $450 per ton rebate from Tri-State. Members will continue to receive an additional $100 per unit rebate on air source heat pumps from United Power, if attached to an existing ETS forced air furnace. Ground-source heat pump rebates from Tri-State are increasing from $250 to $500 per ton starting on January 1, 2018. An inspection by United Power is required to qualify for rebates and members are encouraged to call United Power’s Energy Management Team prior to making any purchases to discuss rebate requirements. Learn more about our rebates here.
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Residential, Irrigation Rates to See Small Increase
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Wednesday | December 4, 2019
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The United Power board of directors proposed a modest increase in residential rates at their November 8th regulatory meeting.
The United Power board of directors proposed a modest increase in residential rates at their November 8th regulatory meeting. The rate increase will vary from 1.5–2% for residential members. Members on the standard residential rate will see a 1.5% rate increase beginning with their January 1st usage, which amounts to an average increase of $1.58 per month. Members on the residential time-of-day rate and irrigation rate will see a 2% increase – an average monthly increase of $3.23 per month.
An additional time-of-day rate was added in response to concerns raised by members utilizing the time-of-day rate. The additional time-of-day rate gives members who utilize specialized equipment and shift their consumption to off-peak periods another rate option. (See Rates Chart attachment below)
“As we move forward with the rate changes, it’s important that we listen to our members, and our newest rate is a response to their concerns,” stated Dean Hubbock, Director of Power Supply and Rates. “The new rates should have a minimal impact on members, and we now have several rates that members can consider when determining the best rate for their lifestyle.”
Last year, United Power instituted a new rate structure that allowed the cooperative to more fairly bill members for not only the power they use, but also for their impact on the electrical system delivering power. The new rate structure charges for energy and demand, breaking apart two costs that had been previously blended together. The new structure even allows members to have more control over the components of their bill that raise their costs. For example, in the residential rate, the demand charge increased by 50¢ per kW, while the energy charge drops from 10.15¢ per kWh to 9.95¢ per kWh.
“We understand that everyone has a different way they use power in their home, and by expanding our rate offerings, members can select a rate that best fits their usage patterns,” stated Hubbock.
In addition to the changes to the residential rates, the board proposed a couple additional changes. Irrigation rates will see a 2% monthly increase for 2020 – an increase of about $1.79 per month. Small and large commercial customers and large industrial primary customers will see an overall 2% monthly decrease in 2020.
“The small reduction for commercial customers was warranted according to our most recent cost-of-service study,” stated Hubbock. “We will be conducting another full study in 2020, and that will help us continue to refine the rates we charge members in different rate classes.”
The new rates will go into effect for usage beginning January 1, 2020, so members will not see the increase on their bills until their February billing. Members can learn more about how to control their demand and lower their overall electric costs by visiting the Understanding Demand page. There are many helpful resources and videos to help you understand how the two components of your power are billed and how to control these costs.
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Resources Offer Closer Look at Your Demand
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Monday | September 3, 2018
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The Power Portal is United Power’s newest resource for members, and offers a detailed look at monthly energy consumption data and overall usage history. This free resource allows members to view monthly, daily and hourly energy use in 15 minute intervals.
In the past few issues of the United Newsline, United Power has been discussing the new residential demand rate that will go into effect in 2019. This month, members will begin seeing a new line on their monthly bills: a Demand Charge. This new line is appearing ahead of next year’s rate change to prepare and educate members on this shift in thinking about their electric consumption.
For the remainder of 2018, your bill will show a Demand Charge with an associated kilowatt (kW) measurement, reflecting the highest 15 minute interval of power use over that month’s billing period. There is currently no charge associated with the Demand Charge (kW) line item, but by printing this new item on member’s electric statements and presenting a new online resource – the Power Portal – members have the information to pinpoint what drives their monthly demand and take steps to control their energy consumption.
The Power Portal is United Power’s newest resource for members, and offers a detailed look at monthly energy consumption data and overall usage history. This free resource allows members to view monthly, daily and hourly energy use in 15 minute intervals. By graphing and making notes of highest usage intervals, members can determine what activities contribute to their energy and demand, and monitor any impact changing behaviors can make. For instance, by looking at the portal data you may see that your highest demand corresponded with a big dinner you hosted for family or a day when you were baking and doing laundry at the end of a long week. The Portal provides the records to determine what activities had the most affect on your demand.
The Board will review proposed rate changes this fall, with the intention of introducing the rate slowly and incrementally over a four-year period. The process includes an extensive Cost of Service study, so rates are designed to reflect how the members affect our costs. Residential demand charges will be lower than commercial members.
“Since we have detailed information about how members use power in their homes, the new demand rate will be a fairer way for us to bill members for their use,” stated Dean Hubbuck, Power Supply & Rates Director. “Residential users maximum impact on the system is lower than commercial customers, and their rates will reflect the difference. We believe a modest demand charge with a reasonable energy rate is the best way to recover our costs.”
Beginning in 2019, bills will show a charge for demand, accompanied by a corresponding reduction in the Energy Charge (kWh). The Demand Charge is figured by multiplying the highest demand interval (kW) by the per kW rate. Before final demand rates are approved, United Power is encouraging members to learn more about their personal electric usage and how they can make subtle changes to save even more.
You Have the Power
Curious to see when you used the most energy this past month? Was it the high temps or maybe your new hot tub using more energy than you expected? Use the Power Portal to pinpoint what’s driving your energy use. Access your complete energy consumption portfolio in 15-minute increments throughout the day to get a clear look at how you use energy.
To use the Power Portal, login and click on My Consumption Data. Under the Usage Dashboard, select the Account to view, choose Current Month from the drop-down and select Billing Month. Under the blue bar chart, you may need to click the Demand option to turn on the orange Demand line in the graph. The orange diamond indicates the interval with the highest demand. Click the blue bar to display each 15-minute interval from that day. Hover over the graph for more detail.
Learn more about the Power Portal and how to register at www.unitedpower.com/powerportal.
The monthly view in the Power Portal presents your energy use for each day. Choose to view the month by calendar month to see the first through the last day of the month, or view by billing month to view from the first day through the last day of that billing cycle. Viewing your monthly usage helps highlight trends in when you use the most energy.
By clicking on any blue bar representing daily energy use, you can zoom in to see every hour of the day by 15-minute intervals. This view can help you pinpoint the interval driving your peak and help you recall activities in your home that contributed.
Responsible Generator Use Saves Lives
Monday | April 2, 2018
The use of portable generators is commonplace during power outages, but you may not know they can potentially create one of the more dangerous situations for the linemen trying to restore power to you and your neighbors.
Read more >
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Results of 2017 United Power Director Election
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Thursday | April 27, 2017
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Races for a seat in all four United Power director districts were decided by a vote of the members at the 2017 Annual Meeting on Apr. 18 at the Adams County Fairgrounds.
Incumbents Retain Seats, New Mountain Director Elected
New Officers Elected at Regular Monthly Board Meeting on April 21st
Races for a seat in all four United Power director districts were decided by a vote of the members at the 2017 Annual Meeting on Apr. 18 at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Incumbent Directors James Vigesaa and Ginny Buczek retained their respective seats. Director David Rose won the race for his seat in the South District. Incoming director Tamra Waltemath won the seat in the Mountain district left vacant by the retirement of director Douglas Pryce.
United Power’s Board of Directors met for their regular monthly board meeting the Friday following the annual election and selected new officers to serve the cooperative for 2017. James Vigesaa was elected President, Susan Petrocco was re-elected as Vice President, Beth Martin was re-elected Secretary-Treasurer and Ursula J. Morgan was elected to serve again as Assistant Secretary-Treasurer.
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Reunited & Ready
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Thursday | July 8, 2021
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After more than a year of altered business practices during COVID-19, United Power has resumed normal activities.
For more than a year, United Power has had to alter business practices so that it could continue serving members safely and effectively. While linemen continued responding to outages and conducting maintenance to improve reliability, other practices had to change to accommodate members and employees throughout the pandemic.
In June, the cooperative was able to resume normal activities as state officials began easing public health requirements for businesses and public spaces.
Brighton Office Reopens
United Power welcomed employees back when its office location in Brighton re-opened to members on June 1. The cooperative preemptively closed its office locations in March 2020 as the pandemic began and employees transitioned to remote work.
To help members continue to access convenient payment centers, several payment kiosks were installed around the cooperative’s service territory, including its office locations in Carbon Valley and Brighton. A kiosk had previously been installed at the Coal Creek office and another was added in Fort Lupton at the Bank of Colorado Operation Center. The four payment kiosks will remain available for members who would like to continue using them.
In Your Community
For the first time in more than a year, in-person community events have returned, and United Power will play a crucial role in helping make many of them a reality. Not only that, but you’ll see the cooperative present at several upcoming events throughout the summer and fall. Be sure to stop by the cooperative’s booths to say hello. Our employees are ready to see our members’ friendly faces.
Employee Vaccination Clinic
Scheduling a vaccination appointment was a difficult task this spring. With employees returning to the office, United Power hosted a free and voluntary clinic for employees — and their families — who were interested in receiving the vaccine but had been unable to schedule an appointment. It’s one more way the cooperative is ensuring its employees can return to work and interact with members safely.
Carbon Valley Open House
All members are invited to United Power’s Carbon Valley Service Center on August 28 to celebrate the co-op surpassing 100,000 meters. The cooperative will also finally have an opportunity to unveil its newest office location to members in attendance during the celebration.
As United Power and the communities it serves continue the transition out of COVID protocols, the cooperative looks forward to seeing its members again.
Safe Ways to Pay Your Bills
United Power reopened its Brighton office to members beginning June 1. For members who have not been vaccinated or are uncomfortable coming into United Power’s office to make payments, the cooperative offers a variety of safe alternatives:
Online/Mobile: A quick and easy way to view your account and make payments from your home or remotely using the United Power app. Online accounts can also be used to report outages.
Auto Pay: A hassle-free way to ensure payments are made on time every month. Sign up using your online account.
Payment Kiosks: United Power has four kiosk locations: Brighton, Carbon Valley, Fort Lupton and Coal Creek. Members only need an account number and form of payment. Cash/credit are applied immediately to your account.
Pay By Phone: Payment can be made 24 hours/day by calling 866-999-4485.
Pay Now: Allows members to make quick, one-time payments without needing a login or password. You’ll just need an account number and form of payment.
Pay As You Go: A new payment method for members allows you to pay for power before you use it.
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Rising to the Occasion
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Friday | September 27, 2019
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United Power partnered with Touchstone's national balloon program to present to donations to area nonprofits.
The early morning sun shining off the Touchstone Energy hot air balloon provided the perfect backdrop for United Power at the Adams County Fair in early August.
United Power partnered with Touchstone Energy Cooperative’s national balloon program to present two donations to local nonprofits that are doing incredible work in our community:
Food for Hope
There are thousands of children in Adams County who receive little to nothing to eat when they are not at school. Food for Hope seeks to empower and nourish the future of our community by providing nutritious food to children in need.
Foster Source
Provides relevant training, resources and support to foster parents from a trauma-informed approach, giving them the skills and confidence to spark healing in vulnerable children.
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President & CEO Speaks on Co-op’s Role in a DSO Energy Delivery Model
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Monday | January 10, 2022
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Presentation Delivered at National Co-op CEO Conference
United Power President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark A. Gabriel, recently joined co-op CEOs Brian Heithoff, of Trico Electric Cooperative, and Eric Hobbie of Prairie Power, Inc. in a panel discussion about electric cooperatives’ role as Distribution System Operators (DSO) at the NRECA CEO Close-Up Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. The conference is attended by hundreds of cooperative CEOs and General Managers and held annually to provide CEOs with insight into industry trends and best practices for managing key challenges.
A growing number of electric cooperatives, including United Power, are moving toward a DSO model, which allows the utility to enhance its relationships with members, provide added services and proactively manage the grid with automation and smart technology. At United Power, continued projected growth and an opportunity to purchase cleaner and more affordable power from a variety of resources combined with the desire for more member-owned and locally generated renewable energy puts the cooperative in a position to take a more integrated and dynamic approach to delivering electricity.
“The energy landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift and the relationship that cooperatives like United Power already have with their member communities has us primed to lead this energy transition,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President & CEO. “A locally-owned cooperative is nimble, innovative and responsive—and is exactly how utilities will need to operate in order to manage a resilient distribution system, efficiently integrate local micro-grids and facilitate the local exchange of energy.”
Gabriel discussed United Power’s 10 Year Working Plan and the strategic considerations the cooperative is undertaking as they move toward a DSO model. The working plan was developed by key staff at the cooperative and it serves as a comprehensive guide to align the board, employees, and members through this dramatic operational shift. By leveraging new technology, expansive energy resources, and updated operations, and new technology, United Power is actively advancing the local distribution system to adapt to the new ways it will provide value and reliable power for members.
“The 10 Year Plan is our playbook outlining the allocation of people, resources, and leadership attention as we drive toward an increasingly dynamic, sustainable, and complex energy future,” said Gabriel. “While we are working to deliver reliable power today, we are planning for the utility of tomorrow. We have started the conversations with our board and our members about what the future of energy will look like and the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Slidedeck from 2022 CEO Close-Up by Mark A. Gabriel
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Putting Down Roots in Carbon Valley
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Friday | March 11, 2022
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Round-Up grant helps St. Vrain Habitat for Humanity provide homes for two families in Carbon Valley.
Round-Up Grant Helps Habitat for Humanity Provide Homes for Two Families
St. Vrain Habitat for Humanity presented two Carbon Valley families with keys to their new homes alongside friends, family, volunteers, and community organizations at a ribbon cutting in January. Among the organizations present at the event was United Power’s Operation Round-Up Foundation.
Habitat for Humanity provides newly constructed homes to families who are positioned for home ownership but are unable to qualify for traditional financing. The organization builds homes from the ground up and sells them at cost to selected families thanks to support from community volunteers. Round-Up awarded Habitat for Humanity a $5,000 grant to help with home construction costs.
“Without the help of community partners like Round-Up, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do for these families,” said Rebecca Shannon, community engagement manager for St. Vrain Habitat for Humanity.
Round-Up is funded entirely by members who voluntarily “round up” their monthly statements to the next whole dollar. The average contribution is approximately $.50 per month. Those funds are then redistributed to nonprofits in various parts of the service territory to ensure as many members receive help as possible.
“We are proud to support community organizations meeting the needs of vulnerable members,” said Joan Kniss, a Round-Up board member. “Habitat for Humanity has a strong track record of lifting people up and lets us see our grant dollars in action.”
Home ownership allows families to put down roots and begin contributing to their local community, Shannon said. Homes are not only built to meet all safety requirements, but are also energy efficient, which lowers the cost of ownership. Selected families are required to demonstrate commitment to their new home by returning volunteer hours helping with the construction of their future homes. Having a hand in building your own home develops a sense of pride in it.
Habitat for Humanity broke ground on a new home in Carbon Valley on March 7. To volunteer, visit www.stvrainhabitat.org.
More than 20% of United Power members voluntarily round up their bills. To enroll in Operation Round-Up, click here.
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Questions about Demand?
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Friday | January 25, 2019
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United Power’s new rate structure went into effect on January 1st, and members will begin to see the 2019 rates reflected as separate demand and energy charges on their February bills. While energy is the total power used, demand refers to the capacity needed to serve your location. The new rates break apart the costs for demand and energy to more fairly charge each member for their impact on the electric system and the energy they use.
United Power’s new rate structure went into effect on January 1st, and members will begin to see the 2019 rates reflected as separate demand and energy charges on their February bills. While energy is the total power used, demand refers to the capacity needed to serve your location. The new rates break apart the costs for demand and energy to more fairly charge each member for their impact on the electric system and the energy they use.
Why did you change to this rate structure?
The way our members use power has changed, and we now have more detailed information about how each member uses that power. On the blended rate, some members were paying more than they should, while others were not paying enough. The demand component allows us to more fairly charge each member in a way that is more closely aligned with our costs to provide that service.
How do I see when I hit my demand?
Demand measures the highest 15-minute interval of power consumption over the billing period and your bill will show you the kilowatt (kW) demand measurement of that highest interval. If you’d like to investigate what contributed to your demand charge, the Power Portal will show you the day and time that your demand peaked. Pinpointing the day and time will give you the information to reflect on how you were using energy.
Perhaps your demand was highest on a cold Saturday afternoon when you had soup on the stove, bread in the oven, the kids were downstairs gaming with a space heater on, and it was marathon laundry and cleaning day for the family. Operating all of these appliances at once required more system capacity for United Power to serve you, and your demand charge for the month is a fairer representation of how you used the electric system.
How can I reduce my demand?
Monitoring your use in the Power Portal will help you understand what is driving your demand. You’ll see the effect of using multiple appliances at once and what your energy profile looks like when you stagger appliances. If you’d like to keep your demand charges as low as possible, small changes in the way you use energy can make a difference. Here are some easy ways to reduce your demand:
Spread out the use of major appliances. Major electrical appliances that may contribute to high demand costs include air conditioners, electric clothes dryers, electric water heaters, electric ranges and ovens.
Use small cooking appliances or an outdoor grill.
Use a programmable or smart thermostat to pre-heat or pre-cool your home before you get home and operate kitchen appliances.
Use a timer on your water heater, dishwasher and pool pump.
Set a timer on your electric vehicle charger for the middle of the night after other major appliances are not in use.
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Quick Thinking Walgreens Clerk Saves United Power Member from Scam
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Friday | October 12, 2018
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The proactive actions of Brighton Walgreens employees prevented a United Power member from becoming the victim of an attempted utility scam—saving the customer hundreds of dollars.
The proactive actions of Brighton Walgreens employees prevented a United Power member from becoming the victim of an attempted utility scam—saving the customer hundreds of dollars. United Power teamed up with the Brighton Police Department Friday afternoon to present Scam Stopper awards to the attentive store employees.
“We commend Walgreens and your employees for looking out for your customers, and stopping this scam attempt,” said Troy Whitmore, United Power Public Affairs Officer. “Unfortunately, this type of scam happens more frequently than we’d like, and not all of our members are this lucky. Proactive efforts by local businesses like Walgreens are one of our best defenses against these scams.”
This phone scam attempt surfaces regularly in the United Power territory. A member is contacted over the phone by a utility imposter who instructs the member to purchase a pre-paid debit card to pay an overdue electric bill. The caller threatens disconnection of electric service if they don’t pay immediately. One lucky member who came close to becoming a victim received a similar call Friday morning. After receiving demands to pay right away, the member visited the Brighton Walgreens to deposit $400 onto a pre-paid debit card.
Walgreens employee, Kathy Olson, was running the register Friday morning and felt uneasy about the transaction after the customer mentioned she was instructed to load the pre-paid card. She consulted with the store’s assistant manager, Jessie Porter, and they advised the member of this type of scam. They encouraged the customer to verify with United Power before giving anyone money over the phone, and the member went straight to United Power’s office.
United Power warns members to be alert to this type of fraudulent activity, and to stay informed of their account status. United Power reminds members that the cooperative will never call in person to collect payment, will never demand pre-paid debit cards as payment for overdue electric bills, and will never visit a member in person to collect money. If ever in doubt, call United Power at the phone number printed on your statement, or log-in to your account online through the SmartHub Billing & Payment portal.
Brighton Police Department encourages residents to always report suspicious activity. Even if you don’t become a victim of a scam, your information helps law enforcement in their efforts to stop the perpetrators of these sophisticated scams.
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Rate Increase Approved
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Friday | November 3, 2023
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The rate increase adjusts for inflation and higher wholesale power costs.
Impact to be Spread Across All Rate Classes
United Power members will see a rate increase effective for usage beginning Jan. 1, 2024. United Power Board members and staff recently reviewed the cooperative’s costs and determined that rates need to be raised an average of 9.5% to help the cooperative maintain a healthy financial profile.
“These decisions are always difficult, and the Board carefully scrutinized spending in all areas across the cooperative before reaching the conclusion that rates need to be increased,” stated Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO. “Your cooperative has worked hard to keep costs as low as possible for members during the last three years, especially when inflation began to impact the cost of nearly everything we need to maintain normal day-to-day operations. While we knew this effort was only a delay tactic, we really aimed to keep rates stable for members while costs for everything else in their households were rising.”
Average Household to See $10-$15 Increase Monthly
The average residential member will see increases in both the demand charge and in the energy charge, while the fixed charge will remain the same. The demand charge will increase from $1.50 to $2.50 per kW, while the energy charge will increase from 9.95 cents per kwh to 10.39 cents.
The average household on the standard residential rate using about 850 kwh per month with a demand of 7 kW will see their bill rise from $114.08 to $124.82, an increase of $10.74.
Residential time-of-use members will see a similar increase, with an increase in demand from $1.50 to $2.50 per kW. On-peak energy charges will rise from 15.4 cents to 16.07, and off-peak energy charges will increase from 5.25 cents per kwh to 5.5 cents. All other rates will see similar increases. See full menu of rate changes here.
The cooperative’s rate model forecasts that most households will see a $10-$15 per month increase in their electric bill. However, the structure of United Power’s rates provides members the ability to keep costs lower by controlling demand. Reducing demand is as simple as not using electric appliances at the same time. Additionally, setting timers on dryers and dishwashers so they start after the family goes to sleep moves the demand of that appliance to a lower use period and actively reduces demand costs.
Learn more about demand and how you can reduce the impact of this portion of your bill..
Why are rates rising now?
It is important to understand that the cost of wholesale power makes up approximately 75% of a member’s bill. United Power’s current wholesale power supplier is planning a large rate increase in 2024, including a significant change in their rate structure. Once approved, the new rate structure will shift expenses from generation to transmission, which will have a considerable impact on United Power even after our exit. In other words, the cost to deliver power to our members will increase next year — regardless of who is generating and supplying that power. Fortunately, the cooperative will begin purchasing and managing its own wholesale power supply on May 1, 2024, giving us greater control over this portion of our power cost.
United Power staff has kept a watchful eye on spending, particularly over the past three years, but our operation is challenged by rising costs just like most households and businesses. Unavoidable increases in property taxes and insurance premiums are impacting the cooperative. Add to this the rising cost of construction materials and critical components like transformers and wire, and it has been a challenge to balance our budgets. Even the costs for attracting and retaining talented employees continues to climb in both wages and benefits.
How Can Your Cooperative Support You?
United Power has numerous resources to help our members manage their energy usage. Weatherization information to make your home envelope tighter, energy audits to provide tips on energy efficiency measures, rebates to support purchasing energy efficient appliances, and information on lifestyle changes that can help reduce costs are all ways we put the power to control costs in our members’ hands.
If you need help managing your electric costs, please feel free to contact us for assistance. Members may reach United Power by phone at 303-637-1300, via email, or by chat at www.unitedpower.com during normal business hours.
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Rebate Requirements Changing in 2018 on Heat Pump Air Conditioners
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Thursday | November 9, 2017
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Beginning next year, members will see some changes to the rebate requirements on heat pump air conditioners as well as an increase in rebate amounts.
Beginning next year, members will see some changes to the rebate requirements on heat pump air conditioners as well as an increase in rebate amounts. Beginning on January 1, 2018, air source heat pumps must have a SEER rating of at least 15 in order to receive a rebate. Air source heat pumps with a 15-17 SEER rating, will receive a $300 per ton rebate from Tri-State Generation and Transmission, and air source heat pumps with a SEER rating above 17 will receive a $450 per ton rebate from Tri-State. Members will continue to receive an additional $100 per unit rebate on air source heat pumps from United Power, if attached to an existing ETS forced air furnace. Ground-source heat pump rebates from Tri-State are increasing from $250 to $500 per ton starting on January 1, 2018. An inspection by United Power is required to qualify for rebates and members are encouraged to call United Power’s Energy Management Team prior to making any purchases to discuss rebate requirements. Learn more about our rebates here.
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Residential, Irrigation Rates to See Small Increase
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Wednesday | December 4, 2019
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The United Power board of directors proposed a modest increase in residential rates at their November 8th regulatory meeting.
The United Power board of directors proposed a modest increase in residential rates at their November 8th regulatory meeting. The rate increase will vary from 1.5–2% for residential members. Members on the standard residential rate will see a 1.5% rate increase beginning with their January 1st usage, which amounts to an average increase of $1.58 per month. Members on the residential time-of-day rate and irrigation rate will see a 2% increase – an average monthly increase of $3.23 per month.
An additional time-of-day rate was added in response to concerns raised by members utilizing the time-of-day rate. The additional time-of-day rate gives members who utilize specialized equipment and shift their consumption to off-peak periods another rate option. (See Rates Chart attachment below)
“As we move forward with the rate changes, it’s important that we listen to our members, and our newest rate is a response to their concerns,” stated Dean Hubbock, Director of Power Supply and Rates. “The new rates should have a minimal impact on members, and we now have several rates that members can consider when determining the best rate for their lifestyle.”
Last year, United Power instituted a new rate structure that allowed the cooperative to more fairly bill members for not only the power they use, but also for their impact on the electrical system delivering power. The new rate structure charges for energy and demand, breaking apart two costs that had been previously blended together. The new structure even allows members to have more control over the components of their bill that raise their costs. For example, in the residential rate, the demand charge increased by 50¢ per kW, while the energy charge drops from 10.15¢ per kWh to 9.95¢ per kWh.
“We understand that everyone has a different way they use power in their home, and by expanding our rate offerings, members can select a rate that best fits their usage patterns,” stated Hubbock.
In addition to the changes to the residential rates, the board proposed a couple additional changes. Irrigation rates will see a 2% monthly increase for 2020 – an increase of about $1.79 per month. Small and large commercial customers and large industrial primary customers will see an overall 2% monthly decrease in 2020.
“The small reduction for commercial customers was warranted according to our most recent cost-of-service study,” stated Hubbock. “We will be conducting another full study in 2020, and that will help us continue to refine the rates we charge members in different rate classes.”
The new rates will go into effect for usage beginning January 1, 2020, so members will not see the increase on their bills until their February billing. Members can learn more about how to control their demand and lower their overall electric costs by visiting the Understanding Demand page. There are many helpful resources and videos to help you understand how the two components of your power are billed and how to control these costs.
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Resources Offer Closer Look at Your Demand
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Monday | September 3, 2018
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The Power Portal is United Power’s newest resource for members, and offers a detailed look at monthly energy consumption data and overall usage history. This free resource allows members to view monthly, daily and hourly energy use in 15 minute intervals.
In the past few issues of the United Newsline, United Power has been discussing the new residential demand rate that will go into effect in 2019. This month, members will begin seeing a new line on their monthly bills: a Demand Charge. This new line is appearing ahead of next year’s rate change to prepare and educate members on this shift in thinking about their electric consumption.
For the remainder of 2018, your bill will show a Demand Charge with an associated kilowatt (kW) measurement, reflecting the highest 15 minute interval of power use over that month’s billing period. There is currently no charge associated with the Demand Charge (kW) line item, but by printing this new item on member’s electric statements and presenting a new online resource – the Power Portal – members have the information to pinpoint what drives their monthly demand and take steps to control their energy consumption.
The Power Portal is United Power’s newest resource for members, and offers a detailed look at monthly energy consumption data and overall usage history. This free resource allows members to view monthly, daily and hourly energy use in 15 minute intervals. By graphing and making notes of highest usage intervals, members can determine what activities contribute to their energy and demand, and monitor any impact changing behaviors can make. For instance, by looking at the portal data you may see that your highest demand corresponded with a big dinner you hosted for family or a day when you were baking and doing laundry at the end of a long week. The Portal provides the records to determine what activities had the most affect on your demand.
The Board will review proposed rate changes this fall, with the intention of introducing the rate slowly and incrementally over a four-year period. The process includes an extensive Cost of Service study, so rates are designed to reflect how the members affect our costs. Residential demand charges will be lower than commercial members.
“Since we have detailed information about how members use power in their homes, the new demand rate will be a fairer way for us to bill members for their use,” stated Dean Hubbuck, Power Supply & Rates Director. “Residential users maximum impact on the system is lower than commercial customers, and their rates will reflect the difference. We believe a modest demand charge with a reasonable energy rate is the best way to recover our costs.”
Beginning in 2019, bills will show a charge for demand, accompanied by a corresponding reduction in the Energy Charge (kWh). The Demand Charge is figured by multiplying the highest demand interval (kW) by the per kW rate. Before final demand rates are approved, United Power is encouraging members to learn more about their personal electric usage and how they can make subtle changes to save even more.
You Have the Power
Curious to see when you used the most energy this past month? Was it the high temps or maybe your new hot tub using more energy than you expected? Use the Power Portal to pinpoint what’s driving your energy use. Access your complete energy consumption portfolio in 15-minute increments throughout the day to get a clear look at how you use energy.
To use the Power Portal, login and click on My Consumption Data. Under the Usage Dashboard, select the Account to view, choose Current Month from the drop-down and select Billing Month. Under the blue bar chart, you may need to click the Demand option to turn on the orange Demand line in the graph. The orange diamond indicates the interval with the highest demand. Click the blue bar to display each 15-minute interval from that day. Hover over the graph for more detail.
Learn more about the Power Portal and how to register at www.unitedpower.com/powerportal.
The monthly view in the Power Portal presents your energy use for each day. Choose to view the month by calendar month to see the first through the last day of the month, or view by billing month to view from the first day through the last day of that billing cycle. Viewing your monthly usage helps highlight trends in when you use the most energy.
By clicking on any blue bar representing daily energy use, you can zoom in to see every hour of the day by 15-minute intervals. This view can help you pinpoint the interval driving your peak and help you recall activities in your home that contributed.
Responsible Generator Use Saves Lives
Monday | April 2, 2018
The use of portable generators is commonplace during power outages, but you may not know they can potentially create one of the more dangerous situations for the linemen trying to restore power to you and your neighbors.
Read more >
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Results of 2017 United Power Director Election
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Thursday | April 27, 2017
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Races for a seat in all four United Power director districts were decided by a vote of the members at the 2017 Annual Meeting on Apr. 18 at the Adams County Fairgrounds.
Incumbents Retain Seats, New Mountain Director Elected
New Officers Elected at Regular Monthly Board Meeting on April 21st
Races for a seat in all four United Power director districts were decided by a vote of the members at the 2017 Annual Meeting on Apr. 18 at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Incumbent Directors James Vigesaa and Ginny Buczek retained their respective seats. Director David Rose won the race for his seat in the South District. Incoming director Tamra Waltemath won the seat in the Mountain district left vacant by the retirement of director Douglas Pryce.
United Power’s Board of Directors met for their regular monthly board meeting the Friday following the annual election and selected new officers to serve the cooperative for 2017. James Vigesaa was elected President, Susan Petrocco was re-elected as Vice President, Beth Martin was re-elected Secretary-Treasurer and Ursula J. Morgan was elected to serve again as Assistant Secretary-Treasurer.
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Reunited & Ready
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Thursday | July 8, 2021
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After more than a year of altered business practices during COVID-19, United Power has resumed normal activities.
For more than a year, United Power has had to alter business practices so that it could continue serving members safely and effectively. While linemen continued responding to outages and conducting maintenance to improve reliability, other practices had to change to accommodate members and employees throughout the pandemic.
In June, the cooperative was able to resume normal activities as state officials began easing public health requirements for businesses and public spaces.
Brighton Office Reopens
United Power welcomed employees back when its office location in Brighton re-opened to members on June 1. The cooperative preemptively closed its office locations in March 2020 as the pandemic began and employees transitioned to remote work.
To help members continue to access convenient payment centers, several payment kiosks were installed around the cooperative’s service territory, including its office locations in Carbon Valley and Brighton. A kiosk had previously been installed at the Coal Creek office and another was added in Fort Lupton at the Bank of Colorado Operation Center. The four payment kiosks will remain available for members who would like to continue using them.
In Your Community
For the first time in more than a year, in-person community events have returned, and United Power will play a crucial role in helping make many of them a reality. Not only that, but you’ll see the cooperative present at several upcoming events throughout the summer and fall. Be sure to stop by the cooperative’s booths to say hello. Our employees are ready to see our members’ friendly faces.
Employee Vaccination Clinic
Scheduling a vaccination appointment was a difficult task this spring. With employees returning to the office, United Power hosted a free and voluntary clinic for employees — and their families — who were interested in receiving the vaccine but had been unable to schedule an appointment. It’s one more way the cooperative is ensuring its employees can return to work and interact with members safely.
Carbon Valley Open House
All members are invited to United Power’s Carbon Valley Service Center on August 28 to celebrate the co-op surpassing 100,000 meters. The cooperative will also finally have an opportunity to unveil its newest office location to members in attendance during the celebration.
As United Power and the communities it serves continue the transition out of COVID protocols, the cooperative looks forward to seeing its members again.
Safe Ways to Pay Your Bills
United Power reopened its Brighton office to members beginning June 1. For members who have not been vaccinated or are uncomfortable coming into United Power’s office to make payments, the cooperative offers a variety of safe alternatives:
Online/Mobile: A quick and easy way to view your account and make payments from your home or remotely using the United Power app. Online accounts can also be used to report outages.
Auto Pay: A hassle-free way to ensure payments are made on time every month. Sign up using your online account.
Payment Kiosks: United Power has four kiosk locations: Brighton, Carbon Valley, Fort Lupton and Coal Creek. Members only need an account number and form of payment. Cash/credit are applied immediately to your account.
Pay By Phone: Payment can be made 24 hours/day by calling 866-999-4485.
Pay Now: Allows members to make quick, one-time payments without needing a login or password. You’ll just need an account number and form of payment.
Pay As You Go: A new payment method for members allows you to pay for power before you use it.
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Rising to the Occasion
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Friday | September 27, 2019
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United Power partnered with Touchstone's national balloon program to present to donations to area nonprofits.
The early morning sun shining off the Touchstone Energy hot air balloon provided the perfect backdrop for United Power at the Adams County Fair in early August.
United Power partnered with Touchstone Energy Cooperative’s national balloon program to present two donations to local nonprofits that are doing incredible work in our community:
Food for Hope
There are thousands of children in Adams County who receive little to nothing to eat when they are not at school. Food for Hope seeks to empower and nourish the future of our community by providing nutritious food to children in need.
Foster Source
Provides relevant training, resources and support to foster parents from a trauma-informed approach, giving them the skills and confidence to spark healing in vulnerable children.
