1. 01/22/2019 - 11:27 AM
    Title Safe Tree Trimming /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/May2018_NL_TreesLines.png?itok=P7zSFkhh Tuesday | May 1, 2018 Card Teaser As trees begin to grow and bud, they may come in contact with power lines, creating confusion about responsibility and concern about member safety. May is National Electrical Safety Month Were you aware tree limbs may become a safety hazard when in contact with power lines? Did you know attempting to trim a tree in contact with a power line puts you in danger of electrocution? Have you ever been uncertain about when and where to trim your trees located near power lines?  The warm weather of spring often arrives with May, which is also recognized as National Electrical Safety Month. As trees begin to grow and bud, they may come in contact with power lines, creating confusion about responsibility and concern about member safety. United Power wants to make sure you know the answers to your questions so you can safely tackle your spring yard work.  (For quick reference about who’s responsible for maintaining trees near power lines, please read “Who’s Responsible” below.)  When you encounter a tree in the vicinity of a primary power line, immediately contact United Power. Avoid trimming when you encounter the following: tree limbs in direct contact with a power line, dead tree limbs hanging near power lines, tree limbs growing toward power lines.  Observe the Ten-Foot Rule to safely trim trees on your property located near power lines. This means anything inside that radius may put you at risk. For your safety, United Power will disconnect secondary lines when notified in advance of any tree trimming activity at no cost to the member. Remember to trim only from a steady, level surface, removing small, easy to manage sections. Large tree/branch sections may fall unexpectedly and risk taking down power lines and causing potential injury. If this is not possible, contact a professional tree trimmer.  When in doubt about safety or responsibility, please contact United Power at 303-637-1300. We’ll be happy to send out a troubleshooter or one of our tree contractors to assess the situation and keep you safe.  Who's Responsible United Power has an aggressive tree trimming program to reduce the number of tree related outages. However, in some cases, the homeowner may be responsible for keeping a line to their home clear of trees. Here is how it works:
    • United Power is responsible for trimming around primary lines. These are lines running from pole to pole. United Power maintains these lines because they are higher voltage and require special handling from a qualified tree trimming crew.
    • Members are responsible for obstructions in secondary lines. These are typically single lines stretching from our pole to a member’s home - often seen in backyards, crossing from the main electric line to the home. 
  2. 01/22/2019 - 02:18 PM
    Safe Zones Around Pad-Mounted Transformers Friday | June 1, 2018 Though pad-mounted transformers may appear safe to use as workbenches and climbing obstacles, electrical equipment can still pose a risk to anyone who may come in contact with it. Members should always use caution and keep a safe distance.  Read more >
  3. 09/13/2019 - 03:20 PM
    September is National Preparedness Month Wednesday | September 4, 2019 Each September, the Federal Emergency Management Agency recognizes National Preparedness Month. Read more >
  4. 09/02/2025 - 10:37 AM
    Title September Message from Mark A. Gabriel /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/CEO_Message_85.jpg?h=45932144&itok=fpbFupeq Tuesday | September 2, 2025 Card Teaser A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer. There has been a lot of talk recently about “saving” certain forms of electric generation, stopping other types, and investing significant resources in technologies that are not ready for prime time. There have also been announcements about building thousands of miles of new transmission line. When it comes to choices in generation, “all of the above” really needs to be “ALL of the above” if we are going to support electrification across the West and certainly for United Power.  We recognize that diversity of resources is key to effectively running the cooperative, and we are taking action to ensure a safe, reliable, and affordable electric supply. United Power partnered with Kindle Energy to open Mountain Peak Power in July. It is the newest and most efficient natural gas plant in Colorado. The 162 MW facility in Weld County provides critical electric capacity and is conveniently located near one of our substations that also has an 11 MW battery energy storage system. This project is a great example of our hyper-localization strategy and highlights the vision we laid out in Our Cooperative Roadmap. The plant was permitted in 10 months and constructed in 10 months. The same project today would take at least four years to obtain the needed equipment at 50% greater cost.  We are also in the final stages of negotiations for an additional 200 MW of solar, bolstered by 150 MW of battery storage, to replace other expiring thermal generation contracts. These will come online in 2027. The solar facility will be among the largest in Colorado, increasing the carbon-free generation resources in our portfolio to nearly 64% and representing a continued reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since leaving our former wholesale power supplier in May 2024.  The cooperative pioneered the use of distributed batteries with 115 MW spread across our system at nine substations, ranging in size up to 33 MW. Our engineering team has developed a unique way to automatically manage how we charge and deploy stored energy. These batteries are not only utilized to store energy but also provide critical contingency reserves that save United Power approximately $300,000 per month.  Recently, United Power joined forces with three other public power utilities — CORE Electric Cooperative, Platte River Power Authority, and Colorado Springs Utilities — to explore creating a regional transmission project, nicknamed Lariat Loop, that will better serve their member-customers. This collaboration aims to reduce electric transmission congestion, enhance system reliability, and expand access to renewable energy sources, all while supporting the State of Colorado’s ambitions carbon reduction goals.  Our members are directly involved in the “all of the above” electricity strategy. There are nearly 13,000 solar rooftops in our service territory. We will have a new distributed energy resource management system available in January that will allow additional interaction with our members’ resources such as thermostats and electric vehicles. We are rapidly moving to expand our distribution system operations plan, allowing resources from our larger members, such as oil and gas, to be bid into the Southwest Power Pool market coming in April 2026.  The bottom line is quite simple. While we support expanding transmission and investing in future technologies, and applaud efforts to bring a wide range of generation to the West, we must be realistic about what can be done today to support our growing member base. United Power lives the “all of the above” mantra every day. We buy wind. We buy solar. We buy natural gas. We buy hydropower. And yes, at times we even buy coal. Our focus remains on providing the most reliable and responsible resources we can in our commitment to you, our members. As always, please feel free to reach out with your questions, comments, or concerns. I enjoy hearing from you and appreciate your continued support.
  5. 09/05/2023 - 09:20 AM
    September Message from Mark. A. Gabriel Tuesday | September 5, 2023 A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer. Read more >
  6. 09/20/2021 - 11:25 AM
    Title September/October Message from Mark A. Gabriel /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/CEO_Message.jpg?h=45932144&itok=pNegmSzP Monday | September 20, 2021 Card Teaser A message to United Power members from the cooperative's President & Chief Executive Officer. Recently, two solar salesmen came to my home in Brighton offering to convince me of the value of adding solar. Their main sales pitch was a false narrative that United Power rates were slated to increase “dramatically” over the next several years due to our ongoing conversations with our power supplier, Tri-State G&T, about a contract modification. Ironically, just that day at our board of directors meeting, we presented a first look at our budget for 2022 which showed no immediate increase and a potential decrease in rates at some point in the foreseeable future. Their sales pitch was an out-and-out lie. There are many factors driving the decision to add solar or storage, including economics, environmental responsibility or the desire for energy independence. We wholeheartedly support your decisions, whatever the rationale, but want to make sure the decision is being made with a full knowledge of the costs. Sadly, there are many unscrupulous salespeople who do not have your best financial interests at heart as we do at United Power. Please contact us for the facts as you make these significant investment decisions. You can also visit our website for more information about installing a solar system on your home, including questions to ask potential solar contractors, at Going Solar. As a member-owner, it is important to realize the professionals at United Power are here to serve your needs with unbiased, fact-based information to make sure every electron is used in the most cost-effective way possible. This covers critical opportunities, such as our Rush Hour Rewards program, energy efficiency measures and rebates on everything from appliances to battery-powered lawn equipment. We are honored to serve as a resource for our members to help calculate the benefit of any decision when it comes to alternative energy options. We support decisions to add rooftop solar or storage to your home or business and are proud that nearly 7,000 of our members have made the decision to add solar to their homes. Another 3,000 of us are now driving electric vehicles, and soon members will be able to lease an electric vehicle charger for your home or business at a low monthly cost. These are exciting times in the electricity business as technology expands its reach into everything from automobiles and vertical/indoor farming to advanced manufacturing and lawn tools. In this era of beneficial electrification, United Power is at the forefront of these amazing opportunities. The growth at United Power – we are now more than 100,000 meters strong – has meant an influx of new members to our communities and a new relationship with your electricity provider. If you are new to the concept of an electric cooperative, as part of the “family” you are a part owner and reap the benefits in several ways:
    • As a member-owner, you will share in any excess margin in the form of capital credits, determined annually by the board of directors. Capital credits are returned to our members as either a check or a credit on your billing statement.
    • Participating in a uniquely cooperative process of democratic engagement in our governance. Members vote for who sits on our board or may even run as a candidate themselves.
    • Having a utility partner that directly supports community activities like the Adams County Fair. United Power also sponsors events like Summerfest in Brighton, Trappers Days in Fort Lupton and Miners Day in Frederick.
    • Being treated as a member – not just a customer – if you have any questions, comments or concerns.
    Finally, as I outlined in my letter to members in August, we are continuing to find a happy medium in our power supply with Tri-State G&T. It is critical that Tri-State continues to provide valuable transmission-related services, especially as we enter the new era of electricity markets. It is equally critical that United Power be able to follow its own destiny when it comes to the choice in at least a portion of its energy supply in order to lower our rates and be competitive in this changing market. As winter approaches, we stand by to work with all our members on the efficient, sustainable use of the precious resource of electricity. Please call or email me at any time. Email Mark A. Gabriel
  7. 01/23/2026 - 11:34 AM
    Title Shrinking the Window /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/AnalogClock_1320x860.jpg?h=45932144&itok=dgWeVT4W Monday | January 26, 2026 Card Teaser Four more off-peak hours for time of use rates. Four More Off-Peak Hours for Time of Use Rates Members on a time of use rate will get the benefit of four more hours of off-peak power in 2026. Rate changes that went into effect on Jan. 1 shortened the on-peak energy window from 2-10 p.m. to 5-9 p.m., giving members more control over how their energy consumption impacts their billing statements.  United Power’s voluntary time of use rates feature two energy usage periods — on-peak and off-peak — with two different energy charges depending on when power is used. Members on a time of use rate are rewarded with a lower energy charge for switching energy use to off-peak hours.  Moving your energy usage away from peak hours may be easier than you think. You can use a smart thermostat to pre-cool your home in the summer or set timers on appliances to run overnight. If you do not have smart appliances, you could start them before you go to bed or first thing in the morning, depending on your schedule. You could also consider meal prepping on Sundays, which are considered off-peak.  All United Power rates, including the time of use options, include a demand charge. If you can stagger the use of high-energy appliances, such as your washer/dryer, air conditioner, and electric oven, you can control one more component of your bill.  Visit Residential Rates to review all the rate options and help decide if switching to a time of use rate is right for you.  
  8. 07/22/2019 - 04:36 PM
    Sol Partners Celebrates 10 Years Monday | July 8, 2019 United Power powered the state's first community solar farm in May 2009 at its Brighton headquarters. Read more >
  9. 06/05/2019 - 11:16 AM
    Title Special Member Rebate a NEW Nissan Leaf /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/MayJune_NL_NissanLeafRebate-resized.jpg?itok=T0NWc2Nr Saturday | June 1, 2019 Card Teaser Take Advantage of a Member-Exclusive Rebate on the All-New NISSAN LEAF through JULY 1, 2019. Take Advantage of a Member-Exclusive Rebate on the All-New NISSAN LEAF through JULY 1, 2019. Our friends at Touchstone Energy have been working behind the scenes to bring United Power members and employees a special opportunity to get behind the wheel of the world's best-selling 100 percent electric car, the all-new NISSAN LEAF, thanks to a rebate program that's been extended through July 1. Offer is eligible for fleet or individual purchases. A $3,500 special rebate is available on the 40 kWh model NISSAN LEAF and a new $2,500 rebate is available on the 226 mile range, 62 kWh, ePlus model. This offer can be combined with the $7,500 Federal ED Tax Credit to provide you with savings up to $11,000 on your purchase of a new Nissan Leaf. Simply print this flyer (linked) and bring your electric bill and/or proof of cooperative employment to your local NISSAN Dealer and you can become eligible to use the special Fleet Certification Code to obtain your special rebate. Please see eligibility requirements for more details. Offer expires July 1, 2019! More Range, More Power, More Confidence Consumers can now embrace the excitement of more range, more power and more tech. With 2 battery options (40 kWh and 62 kWh), and enhanced available technology, consumers can pick the car that best fits their every day needs and drive with confidence. Join us in Making a Difference As part of our effort to accelerate electric vehicle transportation alternatives across the United State, Nissan North America, Inc. is offering eligible Touchstone Energy cooperatives, members and employees a special incentive toward the purchase of the all-new, 100% electric, Nissan Leaf. With each qualified purchase, eligible buyers can receive a $3,500 Fleetail Rebate of MSRP, plus eligibility for a Federal EV Tax Credit, up to $7,500. State incentives may also be available. How to Get this Great Incentive Simply bring a copy of this flyer, both the front and back pages, along with your monthly electric bill or proof of employment to your participating Nissan dealership. This limited time offer expires July 1, 2019 and cannot be combined with other Nissan or NMAC special incentives. Residency restrictions apply.
  10. 05/04/2026 - 01:39 PM
    Special Message from Mark A. Gabriel Monday | May 4, 2026 We have accomplished much in the two years since our exit from a single wholesale power contract. Read more >
  11. 05/11/2023 - 03:24 PM
    State Senate Designates April 18 as Colorado Lineworker Appreciation Day Wednesday | April 12, 2023 The day will be observed on April 18 each year to honor and recognize the crucial role that lineworkers play in providing safe and reliable electricity to communities throughout Colorado. Read more >
  12. 01/23/2019 - 08:47 AM
    Title Students Attend D.C. Youth Tour /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Aug2018_NL_YouthTour.png?itok=QdTk4igu Wednesday | August 1, 2018 Card Teaser In June, United Power proudly joined with local electric cooperatives from around the country to sponsor teenagers from small towns and cities to spend a week in the nation’s capital learning about the political process and interacting with their elected officials. In June, United Power proudly joined with local electric cooperatives from around the country to sponsor teenagers from small towns and cities to spend a week in the nation’s capital learning about the political process and interacting with their elected officials. The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour has been a tradition among cooperatives since the late 1950s. The origins of the Youth Tour date back to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s 1957 annual meeting in Chicago, where keynote speaker and future president Lyndon B. Johnson suggested sending youth to the capital to “actually see what the flag stands for and represents.”  What began with a small group of 34 students from Iowa in 1958 has since ballooned to nearly 2,000 students from 42 states. To date, nearly 50,000 students have participated in the program. This year, United Power sponsored three local students to represent the cooperative during the 2018 Youth Tour – Hannah Rockwell of Weld Central High School, Jordyn Saffy of Eagle Ridge Academy, and Megan Lewis of Frederick High School. Between meetings with elected officials, learning the value of the cooperatives they represent and developing leadership skills, students were able to spend time touring some of Washington D.C.’s landmarks and memorials. Before flying out, Colorado students were also treated to a high-voltage safety demonstration at United Power’s headquarters in Brighton, Colo.  Each year United Power selects three ambitious high school students to attend Youth Tour. Applications to represent the cooperative during next year’s tour will be available in December.