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United Power Brighton Lobby and Drop Box Temporarily Closed to the Public
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Tuesday | October 27, 2020
October 27, 2020 - United Power is temporarily closing our Brighton lobby and drop box due to several United Power employees testing positive for COVID-19. The payment kiosk is open. The facility is undergoing all the necessary cleaning and disinfection procedures, and we will reassess and determine when the facility is safe to reopen.
Members needing to pay their bills are reminded that we have multiple ways for them to pay their bills without leaving their homes. If you need immediate help with any other concern, United Power's Member Services team remains on the job to help members with any issue. Please call them at 303-637-1300.
For the latest updates about our facility re-opening, please check back with us at www.unitedpower.com, or look for updates on United Power's Facebook page or via Twitter.
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United Power Celebrates 80th Annual Meeting and Director Election on April 17th
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Wednesday | April 17, 2019
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United Power celebrated a special cooperative milestone with members at its Annual Meeting & Director Election on April 17, 2019.
Brighton, Colo. — United Power celebrated a special cooperative milestone with members at its Annual Meeting & Director Election on April 17, 2019. The Brighton-headquartered electric utility joined a short list of rural electric cooperatives that have been providing safe and reliable power for 80 years. United Power highlighted its connection with the communities it serves with a special member video featuring long-term members throughout the territory.
More than 381 registered members attended the Annual Meeting and voted in the director election. South District incumbent, Keith E. Alquist II, retained his seat, receiving 2940 votes. Bradley J. Case also received 2745 votes in the South District election. Elizabeth Martin, East District, and Ursula J. Morgan, West District, retained their seats with 5362 and 5342 votes, respectively.
Over the course of the past year, United Power built on and completed some exciting, previously announced projects. The cooperative powered the state’s largest battery storage project in December, which is expected to save nearly $1 million each year. As the cooperative’s membership continues to grow, and with the acquisition of Frederick Power & Light, United Power also began to renovate and man its new building out west, the Carbon Valley Service Center.
“The new facility gives us the ability to respond to outages in the western part of our service territory more quickly,” said John Parker, United Power Chief Executive Officer. “These projects are aimed at driving United Power toward the future and continuing to think of our members first.”
In honor of Lineman Appreciation Day on April 18th, United Power presented a special video covering lineman Kelly Snow, who went to Guatemala with a team of fellow linemen from Oklahoma and Colorado. Over a three-week period, linemen brought power to two remote jungle villages that had never had electricity. Later this year, Snow will return to Guatemala with a new team of linemen to bring power to two new villages.
“Cooperation among cooperatives is one of our core principles,” Snow said. “Cooperatives were established to bring electricity to rural communities, and those who others didn’t want to serve. Being able to represent United Power in Guatemala is a huge honor, and I’m excited to be going back.”
United Power has been and will continue to be a partner in the communities it has served for the past 80 years. As the cooperative moves forward, it continues to have an eye on the future and look for the best way to bring safe and reliable power to its members.
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United Power Celebrates Electric Vehicles During National Drive EV Week
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Thursday | September 17, 2020
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Attend a free virtual event to learn more about EVs and ask an expert all of your EV-related questions
Benefits of Driving Electric Vehicles Celebrated at United Power’s National Drive Electric Week Event
A free virtual event to learn more about electric vehicles and to ask an EV expert all your questions
Brighton, Colo. – Electric vehicle drivers, supporters, and intrigued United Power members are invited to attend United Power’s “United We Drive EV” webinar on Sun., Sept. 27th from 2-3 p.m.
During the live webinar, United Power will take members on a safe, virtual test drive of an electric vehicle. EV Outreach & Education expert, Nigel Zeid of Boulder Nissan will be on hand to walk you through the finer points of EV ownership, and United Power representatives will discuss how to make the most of an EV with United Power’s rates. Learn more and register for the free event at Drive EV Week.
“With more electric cars than ever before on the market and a larger, more accessible charging infrastructure, owning and driving an EV is within reach for more drivers,” said Joel Danforth, United Power New Business Director. “We want to help our members looking to make the transition to electric vehicles by providing trusted information, and information about rates and programs that make driving an EV even more attractive.”
Today, you’re more likely to see multiple electric vehicles while you’re driving to work or the grocery store than not, and it’s becoming more common for gas stations and public spaces to install charging stations to accommodate electric vehicle drivers. You probably support a business with an electric vehicle fleet or know someone who has invested in either an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid.
“There’s a perception that electric vehicles aren’t capable of meeting the average person’s needs,” Zeid says. “Every main concern can be boiled down to that root perception. With a little information, we can turn hesitation into excitement. Electric vehicles have all the benefits of any other vehicle without much of the cost.”
United Power’s event is one of almost 300 across the country where electric vehicle owners, government and community leaders are celebrating the clean-air benefits and cost-savings of electric cars by holding Drive EV Week educational and informational events.
For more information about United Power’s “United We Drive EV” event, visit: unitedpower.com/DriveEVWeek.
For a complete list of National Drive Electric Week events, visit: DriveElectricWeek.org###About United Power: United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative delivering electricity to nearly 95,000 meters at homes, business, and farms in Colorado's north central front range. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media at facebook.com/unitedpower or twitter.com/unitedpowercoopAbout Plug In America: Plug In America is the nation’s leading independent consumer voice for accelerating the use of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States. Formed as a non-profit in 2008, Plug In America provides practical, objective information collected from our coalition of plug-in vehicle drivers, through public outreach and education, policy work and a range of technical advisory services. Our expertise represents the world’s deepest pool of experience of driving and living with plug-in vehicles. The organization conceived National Drive Electric Week and has advanced workplace charging by pioneering ride-and-drive events at such leading corporations as Google, Mattel and Paramount Pictures. We drive electric. You can too. pluginamerica.orgAbout the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization with more than 2.4 million members and supporters and chapters in all 50 states. The Sierra Club’s national electric vehicles initiative advocates for a switch to EVs as one important way to reduce emissions and cut oil consumption. Sierra Club is proud to have been one of the three national groups organizing National Drive Electric Week since its inception in 2011. www.sierraclub.org/EVGuide.
About the Electric Auto Association: The Electric Auto Association, formed in 1967, is a nonprofit educational organization with 75 chapters worldwide that promotes the advancement and widespread adoption of electric vehicles. www.electricauto.org.
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United Power Celebrates Mountain Peak Power Plant at Ribbon Cutting
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Wednesday | August 27, 2025
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United Power and Kindle gathered with local officials to celebrate the completion and operation of the cooperative's new 162 megawatt gas power plant in Keenesburg.
Brighton, CO – Representatives of United Power, Inc. along with leadership from Kindle Energy LLC (Kindle) gathered in Keenesburg, CO to celebrate the completion and operation of the new Mountain Peak Power plant, a 162-megawatt simple-cycle natural gas generation facility comprised of six General Electric combustion turbines. The plant began providing power to cooperative members in July.
The unique facility, which is a peaking power plant co-located at one of United Power’s electric substations, was engineered to take advantage of the proximity of natural gas sources to the substation and its onsite battery energy storage system. The design brings the ability to generate and deliver power directly to a vital hub in the electric distribution system. United Power can economically dispatch the facility when energy costs are at their highest to ensure reliability and resource adequacy.
“The integration of Mountain Peak Power onto the cooperative’s distribution system is the future of energy generation and delivery,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “This resource allows us to remain nimble when capacity on renewable resources drops or when weather impacts our system. It also allows us to have some direct control over costs that can impact our members. Further, this project is in direct alignment with the vision for United Power’s future, as laid out in our Cooperative Roadmap.”
The units installed on the site operate off a natural gas pipeline adjacent to the plant, reducing delivery costs and ensuring a readily available source of fuel. Additionally, the units are considered “hydrogen ready” which means the plant can also run on fuels with hydrogen content when that is commercially available.
The power plant was designed, commissioned, and operational on one of the quickest timelines ever attempted for a facility of this type. The coordination between Kindle and United Power was complemented by the quick response time from the State of Colorado, Weld County, and the Town of Keenesburg.
“Kindle is proud to partner with United Power to deliver this distinctive, reliable, and fast-tracked project for United Power’s members. In close collaboration with GE Vernova, Fagen construction, and United Power, we were able to navigate challenging supply chain dynamics in order to meet an extremely compressed timeline,” said Lee Davis, CEO of Kindle Energy.
Mountain Peak Power plant is just one of the ways United Power continues to realize the electric delivery system of the future. Integrating new resources that complement each other, with a focus on hyperlocalization, while meeting the energy needs of United Power’s growing service territory, is essential to the cooperative’s ongoing success.
To learn more about United Power’s energy transition and its diverse sources of power, visit the cooperative’s website at www.unitedpower.com.
About United PowerUnited Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric co-ops in the nation, serving more than 115,000 meters. Its 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.About Kindle EnergyKindle Energy is a power generation development and asset management firm based in Princeton, NJ. With approximately 9.4GW of operating facilities currently under management and 1.5 GW under construction, Kindle Energy offers customized approaches to investing in, operating, and managing power generation assets in North America. Supporting Utilities, Co-Ops, Municipals and other energy facility owners, Kindle Energy is focused on providing creative solutions to the complex energy issues of today to allow customers to focus on their core business.Please visit www.kindle-energy.com to see more details.###
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United Power Celebrating 80th Annual Meeting
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Friday | March 1, 2019
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United Power will be celebrating a special cooperative milestone at its Annual Meeting & Director Election on April 17, 2019.
United Power will be celebrating a special cooperative milestone at its Annual Meeting & Director Election on April 17, 2019. The Brighton-headquartered electric utility will join a short list of rural electric cooperatives celebrating 80 years of providing safe and reliable power. The meeting will include a special tribute to United Power’s history and highlight the communities it serves.
All members are invited to connect with cooperative leadership at the annual meeting, enjoy the company of fellow cooperative members and have a chance to win one of several door prizes. United Power’s Annual Meeting will be held at the Adams County Fairgrounds/Regional Park located at 9755 Henderson Road, Brighton, CO 80601.
There are four candidates vying for a position on the cooperative’s board of directors. One seat in the East, West and South districts is up for election this year. Profiles of the 2019 candidates are included in this issue of the United Newsline.
Ballot packets will be mailed out to members in late March, and include profiles of each candidate. Members may cast their ballots in person at the Annual Meeting, drop them at a United Power office or mail them postage-paid prior to the deadline in the voting envelope.
While candidates live in and represent a geographic area of our territory, they are elected “at-large,” which means members should vote for one candidate in each district. Please follow voting and signature instructions carefully to ensure you return a valid ballot.
Member registration will be open from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Members who did not mail in their ballot or chose not to vote prior to the meeting will be issued a ballot and be able to cast their votes in the Director election. After members have cast their ballot, they can enjoy a barbecue dinner with us, visit the educational exhibit booths and be entertained by musician Dave Connelly.
The official business meeting of the members will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will include reports from the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer John Parker and a report from the Board Treasurer. Election results will be announced prior to adjournment and door prize drawings will conclude the meeting. To learn more about the Annual Meeting, or the candidates running for a seat on the cooperative’s board of directors, keep reading this issue, or visit www.unitedpower.com.
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United Power CEO Darryl Schriver Tenders Resignation
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Thursday | June 8, 2017
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Darryl Schriver is leaving United Power as the cooperative’s CEO to take a position at Tri-County Electric in the Azle, Texas, located near the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex
Darryl Schriver is leaving United Power as the cooperative’s CEO to take a position at Tri-County Electric in the Azle, Texas, located near the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. Board President James Vigesaa made the announcement to United Power employees during a meeting on Wednesday afternoon. John Parker, United Power’s CFO, will serve as interim CEO until a new selection is made by the Board of Directors. Schriver’s last day will be June 23, 2017. United Power wishes him and his family the best of luck in his new endeavor.
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United Power Commits to Purchase Generation from Natural Gas Facility
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Tuesday | April 29, 2025
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Alliance Energy partners with United Power on a power purchase agreement for the output of the Brush II natural gas generation project.
Alliance Energy Partners with United Power Brighton, CO – United Power, Inc. (United Power), an electric cooperative serving Colorado’s northern front range, announces the signing of a power purchase agreement for the output of the Brush II natural gas generation project. Located in Brush, Colorado, the 70-megawatt facility is owned and operated by Alliance Energy Group, LLC (Alliance Energy).
“United Power is continuing to add resources that make sense for our cooperative members and Brush II is a critical step as we expand our power portfolio,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “Natural gas generation is a vital link to balancing the many renewable resources currently in the cooperative’s power mix. The integration of renewable generation is complemented by natural gas resources and is vital to keeping our system delivering power no matter how high the demand. This facility will be able to quickly ramp up and dispatch power exactly when we need it most. Our vision to diversify and hyper-localize power production will pay dividends to cooperative members in an increasingly volatile energy market.”
Alliance Energy will be responsible for the facility’s operation and maintenance, with United Power purchasing all the power it produces.
“Brush II is a reliable generation resource that is an integral part of the Colorado supply stack and Alliance Energy will help ensure the quality of the resources for United Power’s cooperative members,” said Sam Nappi, Founder and Chairman, Alliance Energy. “Alliance is proud to partner with United Power. This long-term partnership provides surety for the current staff employed at the facility, keeping jobs in Brush for years to come.”
The Brush II unit has been in operation since 1994, and has been owned by Alliance Energy since May of 2022, when it was purchased from AltaGas. United Power will begin accepting generation from the site on Jan. 1, 2026.
Learn more about United Power and its ongoing energy transition plans here.
About United PowerUnited Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric co-ops in the nation, serving nearly 115,000 meters. Its 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.About Alliance Energy GroupOur mission at Alliance Energy is to safely provide a clean, reliable supply of electricity to meet the critical demands of our society, while simultaneously maintaining a high level of environmental stewardship. Alliance Energy specializes in all aspects of the energy industry; from electric power generation and marketing, to mergers and acquisitions, to the exploration, production and transportation of natural gas, to research and development activities into other emerging markets. ###
United Power Complaint Against Tri-State Can Proceed
Wednesday | March 25, 2020
United Power’s Complaint Against Wholesale Power Supplier Tri-State Generation and Transmission Can Proceed Following Ruling by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Read more >
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United Power Connects 10,000th Rooftop Solar System
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Wednesday | March 29, 2023
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On Saturday, United Power recognized Cory and Jaime Wagner of Keenesburg for connecting the utility’s 10,000th rooftop solar system.
Co-op Members Double National Average in Solar Installations
Brighton, CO – On Saturday, United Power recognized Cory and Jaime Wagner of Keenesburg for connecting the utility’s 10,000th rooftop solar system. Rooftop solar has quickly become a preferred solution for electric utility customers who are looking to offset their regular energy usage with more renewable options. The growth rate for solar installations on United Power’s system has increased at a rapid pace over the last three years, placing the cooperative at the forefront in connected solar across electric utilities nationwide.
United Power has added more than 1,000 rooftop solar installations in less than eight months and doubled the number connected to its system in the last three years. Nearly 11% of United Power’s residential members now generate power from solar systems at their homes, which is higher than both the state and regional solar penetration averages and more than double the national average. The combined generation potential of these systems is approximately 62 megawatts (MW), which represents a significant part of the cooperative’s 600 MW peak.
“More than 5,000 residential solar systems have been connected to our grid since early 2020, demonstrating our members’ desire to make autonomous energy choices that fit their daily needs,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power’s President & Chief Executive Officer. “We are constantly working in our communities and behind the scenes to develop programs and processes that empower member choice as the energy landscape evolves.”
United Power Board members and cooperative leadership, along with Colorado Solar and Storage Association (COSSA) President Mike Kruger, gathered Saturday to congratulate the Wagner family. United Power presented them with a prize package recognizing the achievement.
“We are really excited to be in our first home, and happy to be generating our own solar power,” said Jaime Wagner. “Being a United Power member has been great. Once we got our system installed, United Power came right out and connected it, and we are ready to watch the panels start producing.”
United Power is proud to support a robust solar community and is committed to providing a member-friendly connection process. To ensure members like the Wagners realize the most value out of their solar systems, the cooperative offers additional resources like MyGen, an online tool where members can track their system’s production alongside energy use in their Power Portal account. For more information about going solar with United Power or to answer questions about how to size a solar system and choose a contractor, members may visit www.unitedpower.com/going-solar.
“I’m excited to be here with United Power to celebrate the cooperative’s 10,000th residential solar member,” said Kruger. “It’s phenomenal how many of its members are generating solar power from their homes. United Power is beating large investor-owned utilities, municipals, and other Colorado cooperatives in interconnected solar.”
Since powering Colorado’s first community solar farm – Sol Partners – in 2009, United Power has added five utility-scale solar farms and one of the state’s largest battery storage facilities. The solar farms generate a combined 50 MW, enough to power more than 10,000 homes. United Power’s energy portfolio also includes a 3.2 MW methane-capture project at the Erie Landfill. In recognition of these efforts, the cooperative was named one of COSSA’s 2022 Solar and Storage Champions. The cooperative continues to explore renewable and innovative energy projects with the greatest member benefits, including reliability, resiliency, and affordability.
“We appreciate the vision that the United Power community has put forth for a clean future and the ability to partner with them in that,” said Kruger. “I’m happy to celebrate today, and I think it’s a bright future for us all.”
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops, reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.###
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United Power Contributes $20,000 to Mesa Hotline School Relocation Fund
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Tuesday | September 27, 2022
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Historic hotline school faces relocation due to commercial development at current location.
Historic Hotline School Faces Relocation Due to Commercial Development
Brighton, CO – United Power’s Board of Directors approved a $20,000 contribution to the Mesa Hotline School’s relocation fund at its regular meeting in August. Mesa Hotline School provides training and education to lineworkers at cooperatives, municipal electric utilities, and even investor-owned utilities like Xcel Energy. The school learned it must find a new site for its campus due to commercial development at its existing location. The cooperative’s contribution will help the school meet approximately 20% of its relocation costs.
The Mesa Hotline School was formed in the 1960s at Mesa College following an inquiry from two cooperatives located on Colorado’s Western Slope, Empire Electric and Yampa Valley. Fast-growing local cooperatives needed a state-of-the-art facility that could provide the right kind of training and education for their lineworkers. The school enrolled its first class of 59 students in 1966. In the half century since, membership has grown from 15 members to nearly 80, representing electric utilities of all sizes throughout the country. In 2022, more than 100 instructors and volunteers helped provide training to approximately 600 lineworkers enrolled in the school’s various programs.
“The Mesa Hotline School has had a mutually beneficial relationship with United Power for many years,” said Brent Sydow, United Power’s Vice President of Operations. “Working foremen from United Power have invested hundreds of hours at the school teaching courses to both young and experienced lineworkers, and our lineworkers and apprentices have received the highest level of training through the school’s programs and course selections.”
Courses include underground and overhead equipment training, high tension stringing, and simulated high voltage training. Industry vendors also conduct training classes to showcase the latest tools and technology. Additionally, United Power utilizes the school’s educational materials to help progress its apprentice lineworkers toward qualification for the journeyman certification.
When the school received its notice about finding a new location, it began soliciting members for assistance. The relocation costs include site development, facility materials, training equipment, and more. The Mesa Hotline School launched a fundraising campaign this summer with the goal of raising $100,000 in preparation for its next class in May 2023. For more information about the hotline school, go to www.mesahotlineschool.com.
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.###
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United Power Brighton Lobby and Drop Box Temporarily Closed to the Public
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Tuesday | October 27, 2020
October 27, 2020 - United Power is temporarily closing our Brighton lobby and drop box due to several United Power employees testing positive for COVID-19. The payment kiosk is open. The facility is undergoing all the necessary cleaning and disinfection procedures, and we will reassess and determine when the facility is safe to reopen.
Members needing to pay their bills are reminded that we have multiple ways for them to pay their bills without leaving their homes. If you need immediate help with any other concern, United Power's Member Services team remains on the job to help members with any issue. Please call them at 303-637-1300.
For the latest updates about our facility re-opening, please check back with us at www.unitedpower.com, or look for updates on United Power's Facebook page or via Twitter.
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United Power Celebrates 80th Annual Meeting and Director Election on April 17th
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Wednesday | April 17, 2019
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United Power celebrated a special cooperative milestone with members at its Annual Meeting & Director Election on April 17, 2019.
Brighton, Colo. — United Power celebrated a special cooperative milestone with members at its Annual Meeting & Director Election on April 17, 2019. The Brighton-headquartered electric utility joined a short list of rural electric cooperatives that have been providing safe and reliable power for 80 years. United Power highlighted its connection with the communities it serves with a special member video featuring long-term members throughout the territory.
More than 381 registered members attended the Annual Meeting and voted in the director election. South District incumbent, Keith E. Alquist II, retained his seat, receiving 2940 votes. Bradley J. Case also received 2745 votes in the South District election. Elizabeth Martin, East District, and Ursula J. Morgan, West District, retained their seats with 5362 and 5342 votes, respectively.
Over the course of the past year, United Power built on and completed some exciting, previously announced projects. The cooperative powered the state’s largest battery storage project in December, which is expected to save nearly $1 million each year. As the cooperative’s membership continues to grow, and with the acquisition of Frederick Power & Light, United Power also began to renovate and man its new building out west, the Carbon Valley Service Center.
“The new facility gives us the ability to respond to outages in the western part of our service territory more quickly,” said John Parker, United Power Chief Executive Officer. “These projects are aimed at driving United Power toward the future and continuing to think of our members first.”
In honor of Lineman Appreciation Day on April 18th, United Power presented a special video covering lineman Kelly Snow, who went to Guatemala with a team of fellow linemen from Oklahoma and Colorado. Over a three-week period, linemen brought power to two remote jungle villages that had never had electricity. Later this year, Snow will return to Guatemala with a new team of linemen to bring power to two new villages.
“Cooperation among cooperatives is one of our core principles,” Snow said. “Cooperatives were established to bring electricity to rural communities, and those who others didn’t want to serve. Being able to represent United Power in Guatemala is a huge honor, and I’m excited to be going back.”
United Power has been and will continue to be a partner in the communities it has served for the past 80 years. As the cooperative moves forward, it continues to have an eye on the future and look for the best way to bring safe and reliable power to its members.
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United Power Celebrates Electric Vehicles During National Drive EV Week
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Thursday | September 17, 2020
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Attend a free virtual event to learn more about EVs and ask an expert all of your EV-related questions
Benefits of Driving Electric Vehicles Celebrated at United Power’s National Drive Electric Week Event
A free virtual event to learn more about electric vehicles and to ask an EV expert all your questions
Brighton, Colo. – Electric vehicle drivers, supporters, and intrigued United Power members are invited to attend United Power’s “United We Drive EV” webinar on Sun., Sept. 27th from 2-3 p.m.
During the live webinar, United Power will take members on a safe, virtual test drive of an electric vehicle. EV Outreach & Education expert, Nigel Zeid of Boulder Nissan will be on hand to walk you through the finer points of EV ownership, and United Power representatives will discuss how to make the most of an EV with United Power’s rates. Learn more and register for the free event at Drive EV Week.
“With more electric cars than ever before on the market and a larger, more accessible charging infrastructure, owning and driving an EV is within reach for more drivers,” said Joel Danforth, United Power New Business Director. “We want to help our members looking to make the transition to electric vehicles by providing trusted information, and information about rates and programs that make driving an EV even more attractive.”
Today, you’re more likely to see multiple electric vehicles while you’re driving to work or the grocery store than not, and it’s becoming more common for gas stations and public spaces to install charging stations to accommodate electric vehicle drivers. You probably support a business with an electric vehicle fleet or know someone who has invested in either an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid.
“There’s a perception that electric vehicles aren’t capable of meeting the average person’s needs,” Zeid says. “Every main concern can be boiled down to that root perception. With a little information, we can turn hesitation into excitement. Electric vehicles have all the benefits of any other vehicle without much of the cost.”
United Power’s event is one of almost 300 across the country where electric vehicle owners, government and community leaders are celebrating the clean-air benefits and cost-savings of electric cars by holding Drive EV Week educational and informational events.
For more information about United Power’s “United We Drive EV” event, visit: unitedpower.com/DriveEVWeek.
For a complete list of National Drive Electric Week events, visit: DriveElectricWeek.org###About United Power: United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative delivering electricity to nearly 95,000 meters at homes, business, and farms in Colorado's north central front range. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media at facebook.com/unitedpower or twitter.com/unitedpowercoopAbout Plug In America: Plug In America is the nation’s leading independent consumer voice for accelerating the use of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States. Formed as a non-profit in 2008, Plug In America provides practical, objective information collected from our coalition of plug-in vehicle drivers, through public outreach and education, policy work and a range of technical advisory services. Our expertise represents the world’s deepest pool of experience of driving and living with plug-in vehicles. The organization conceived National Drive Electric Week and has advanced workplace charging by pioneering ride-and-drive events at such leading corporations as Google, Mattel and Paramount Pictures. We drive electric. You can too. pluginamerica.orgAbout the Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization with more than 2.4 million members and supporters and chapters in all 50 states. The Sierra Club’s national electric vehicles initiative advocates for a switch to EVs as one important way to reduce emissions and cut oil consumption. Sierra Club is proud to have been one of the three national groups organizing National Drive Electric Week since its inception in 2011. www.sierraclub.org/EVGuide.
About the Electric Auto Association: The Electric Auto Association, formed in 1967, is a nonprofit educational organization with 75 chapters worldwide that promotes the advancement and widespread adoption of electric vehicles. www.electricauto.org.
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United Power Celebrates Mountain Peak Power Plant at Ribbon Cutting
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Wednesday | August 27, 2025
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United Power and Kindle gathered with local officials to celebrate the completion and operation of the cooperative's new 162 megawatt gas power plant in Keenesburg.
Brighton, CO – Representatives of United Power, Inc. along with leadership from Kindle Energy LLC (Kindle) gathered in Keenesburg, CO to celebrate the completion and operation of the new Mountain Peak Power plant, a 162-megawatt simple-cycle natural gas generation facility comprised of six General Electric combustion turbines. The plant began providing power to cooperative members in July.
The unique facility, which is a peaking power plant co-located at one of United Power’s electric substations, was engineered to take advantage of the proximity of natural gas sources to the substation and its onsite battery energy storage system. The design brings the ability to generate and deliver power directly to a vital hub in the electric distribution system. United Power can economically dispatch the facility when energy costs are at their highest to ensure reliability and resource adequacy.
“The integration of Mountain Peak Power onto the cooperative’s distribution system is the future of energy generation and delivery,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “This resource allows us to remain nimble when capacity on renewable resources drops or when weather impacts our system. It also allows us to have some direct control over costs that can impact our members. Further, this project is in direct alignment with the vision for United Power’s future, as laid out in our Cooperative Roadmap.”
The units installed on the site operate off a natural gas pipeline adjacent to the plant, reducing delivery costs and ensuring a readily available source of fuel. Additionally, the units are considered “hydrogen ready” which means the plant can also run on fuels with hydrogen content when that is commercially available.
The power plant was designed, commissioned, and operational on one of the quickest timelines ever attempted for a facility of this type. The coordination between Kindle and United Power was complemented by the quick response time from the State of Colorado, Weld County, and the Town of Keenesburg.
“Kindle is proud to partner with United Power to deliver this distinctive, reliable, and fast-tracked project for United Power’s members. In close collaboration with GE Vernova, Fagen construction, and United Power, we were able to navigate challenging supply chain dynamics in order to meet an extremely compressed timeline,” said Lee Davis, CEO of Kindle Energy.
Mountain Peak Power plant is just one of the ways United Power continues to realize the electric delivery system of the future. Integrating new resources that complement each other, with a focus on hyperlocalization, while meeting the energy needs of United Power’s growing service territory, is essential to the cooperative’s ongoing success.
To learn more about United Power’s energy transition and its diverse sources of power, visit the cooperative’s website at www.unitedpower.com.
About United PowerUnited Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric co-ops in the nation, serving more than 115,000 meters. Its 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.About Kindle EnergyKindle Energy is a power generation development and asset management firm based in Princeton, NJ. With approximately 9.4GW of operating facilities currently under management and 1.5 GW under construction, Kindle Energy offers customized approaches to investing in, operating, and managing power generation assets in North America. Supporting Utilities, Co-Ops, Municipals and other energy facility owners, Kindle Energy is focused on providing creative solutions to the complex energy issues of today to allow customers to focus on their core business.Please visit www.kindle-energy.com to see more details.###
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United Power Celebrating 80th Annual Meeting
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Friday | March 1, 2019
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United Power will be celebrating a special cooperative milestone at its Annual Meeting & Director Election on April 17, 2019.
United Power will be celebrating a special cooperative milestone at its Annual Meeting & Director Election on April 17, 2019. The Brighton-headquartered electric utility will join a short list of rural electric cooperatives celebrating 80 years of providing safe and reliable power. The meeting will include a special tribute to United Power’s history and highlight the communities it serves.
All members are invited to connect with cooperative leadership at the annual meeting, enjoy the company of fellow cooperative members and have a chance to win one of several door prizes. United Power’s Annual Meeting will be held at the Adams County Fairgrounds/Regional Park located at 9755 Henderson Road, Brighton, CO 80601.
There are four candidates vying for a position on the cooperative’s board of directors. One seat in the East, West and South districts is up for election this year. Profiles of the 2019 candidates are included in this issue of the United Newsline.
Ballot packets will be mailed out to members in late March, and include profiles of each candidate. Members may cast their ballots in person at the Annual Meeting, drop them at a United Power office or mail them postage-paid prior to the deadline in the voting envelope.
While candidates live in and represent a geographic area of our territory, they are elected “at-large,” which means members should vote for one candidate in each district. Please follow voting and signature instructions carefully to ensure you return a valid ballot.
Member registration will be open from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Members who did not mail in their ballot or chose not to vote prior to the meeting will be issued a ballot and be able to cast their votes in the Director election. After members have cast their ballot, they can enjoy a barbecue dinner with us, visit the educational exhibit booths and be entertained by musician Dave Connelly.
The official business meeting of the members will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will include reports from the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer John Parker and a report from the Board Treasurer. Election results will be announced prior to adjournment and door prize drawings will conclude the meeting. To learn more about the Annual Meeting, or the candidates running for a seat on the cooperative’s board of directors, keep reading this issue, or visit www.unitedpower.com.
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United Power CEO Darryl Schriver Tenders Resignation
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Thursday | June 8, 2017
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Darryl Schriver is leaving United Power as the cooperative’s CEO to take a position at Tri-County Electric in the Azle, Texas, located near the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex
Darryl Schriver is leaving United Power as the cooperative’s CEO to take a position at Tri-County Electric in the Azle, Texas, located near the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. Board President James Vigesaa made the announcement to United Power employees during a meeting on Wednesday afternoon. John Parker, United Power’s CFO, will serve as interim CEO until a new selection is made by the Board of Directors. Schriver’s last day will be June 23, 2017. United Power wishes him and his family the best of luck in his new endeavor.
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United Power Commits to Purchase Generation from Natural Gas Facility
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Tuesday | April 29, 2025
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Alliance Energy partners with United Power on a power purchase agreement for the output of the Brush II natural gas generation project.
Alliance Energy Partners with United Power Brighton, CO – United Power, Inc. (United Power), an electric cooperative serving Colorado’s northern front range, announces the signing of a power purchase agreement for the output of the Brush II natural gas generation project. Located in Brush, Colorado, the 70-megawatt facility is owned and operated by Alliance Energy Group, LLC (Alliance Energy).
“United Power is continuing to add resources that make sense for our cooperative members and Brush II is a critical step as we expand our power portfolio,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO of United Power. “Natural gas generation is a vital link to balancing the many renewable resources currently in the cooperative’s power mix. The integration of renewable generation is complemented by natural gas resources and is vital to keeping our system delivering power no matter how high the demand. This facility will be able to quickly ramp up and dispatch power exactly when we need it most. Our vision to diversify and hyper-localize power production will pay dividends to cooperative members in an increasingly volatile energy market.”
Alliance Energy will be responsible for the facility’s operation and maintenance, with United Power purchasing all the power it produces.
“Brush II is a reliable generation resource that is an integral part of the Colorado supply stack and Alliance Energy will help ensure the quality of the resources for United Power’s cooperative members,” said Sam Nappi, Founder and Chairman, Alliance Energy. “Alliance is proud to partner with United Power. This long-term partnership provides surety for the current staff employed at the facility, keeping jobs in Brush for years to come.”
The Brush II unit has been in operation since 1994, and has been owned by Alliance Energy since May of 2022, when it was purchased from AltaGas. United Power will begin accepting generation from the site on Jan. 1, 2026.
Learn more about United Power and its ongoing energy transition plans here.
About United PowerUnited Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric co-ops in the nation, serving nearly 115,000 meters. Its 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.About Alliance Energy GroupOur mission at Alliance Energy is to safely provide a clean, reliable supply of electricity to meet the critical demands of our society, while simultaneously maintaining a high level of environmental stewardship. Alliance Energy specializes in all aspects of the energy industry; from electric power generation and marketing, to mergers and acquisitions, to the exploration, production and transportation of natural gas, to research and development activities into other emerging markets. ###
United Power Complaint Against Tri-State Can Proceed
Wednesday | March 25, 2020
United Power’s Complaint Against Wholesale Power Supplier Tri-State Generation and Transmission Can Proceed Following Ruling by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Read more >
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United Power Connects 10,000th Rooftop Solar System
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Wednesday | March 29, 2023
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On Saturday, United Power recognized Cory and Jaime Wagner of Keenesburg for connecting the utility’s 10,000th rooftop solar system.
Co-op Members Double National Average in Solar Installations
Brighton, CO – On Saturday, United Power recognized Cory and Jaime Wagner of Keenesburg for connecting the utility’s 10,000th rooftop solar system. Rooftop solar has quickly become a preferred solution for electric utility customers who are looking to offset their regular energy usage with more renewable options. The growth rate for solar installations on United Power’s system has increased at a rapid pace over the last three years, placing the cooperative at the forefront in connected solar across electric utilities nationwide.
United Power has added more than 1,000 rooftop solar installations in less than eight months and doubled the number connected to its system in the last three years. Nearly 11% of United Power’s residential members now generate power from solar systems at their homes, which is higher than both the state and regional solar penetration averages and more than double the national average. The combined generation potential of these systems is approximately 62 megawatts (MW), which represents a significant part of the cooperative’s 600 MW peak.
“More than 5,000 residential solar systems have been connected to our grid since early 2020, demonstrating our members’ desire to make autonomous energy choices that fit their daily needs,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power’s President & Chief Executive Officer. “We are constantly working in our communities and behind the scenes to develop programs and processes that empower member choice as the energy landscape evolves.”
United Power Board members and cooperative leadership, along with Colorado Solar and Storage Association (COSSA) President Mike Kruger, gathered Saturday to congratulate the Wagner family. United Power presented them with a prize package recognizing the achievement.
“We are really excited to be in our first home, and happy to be generating our own solar power,” said Jaime Wagner. “Being a United Power member has been great. Once we got our system installed, United Power came right out and connected it, and we are ready to watch the panels start producing.”
United Power is proud to support a robust solar community and is committed to providing a member-friendly connection process. To ensure members like the Wagners realize the most value out of their solar systems, the cooperative offers additional resources like MyGen, an online tool where members can track their system’s production alongside energy use in their Power Portal account. For more information about going solar with United Power or to answer questions about how to size a solar system and choose a contractor, members may visit www.unitedpower.com/going-solar.
“I’m excited to be here with United Power to celebrate the cooperative’s 10,000th residential solar member,” said Kruger. “It’s phenomenal how many of its members are generating solar power from their homes. United Power is beating large investor-owned utilities, municipals, and other Colorado cooperatives in interconnected solar.”
Since powering Colorado’s first community solar farm – Sol Partners – in 2009, United Power has added five utility-scale solar farms and one of the state’s largest battery storage facilities. The solar farms generate a combined 50 MW, enough to power more than 10,000 homes. United Power’s energy portfolio also includes a 3.2 MW methane-capture project at the Erie Landfill. In recognition of these efforts, the cooperative was named one of COSSA’s 2022 Solar and Storage Champions. The cooperative continues to explore renewable and innovative energy projects with the greatest member benefits, including reliability, resiliency, and affordability.
“We appreciate the vision that the United Power community has put forth for a clean future and the ability to partner with them in that,” said Kruger. “I’m happy to celebrate today, and I think it’s a bright future for us all.”
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops, reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.###
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United Power Contributes $20,000 to Mesa Hotline School Relocation Fund
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Tuesday | September 27, 2022
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Historic hotline school faces relocation due to commercial development at current location.
Historic Hotline School Faces Relocation Due to Commercial Development
Brighton, CO – United Power’s Board of Directors approved a $20,000 contribution to the Mesa Hotline School’s relocation fund at its regular meeting in August. Mesa Hotline School provides training and education to lineworkers at cooperatives, municipal electric utilities, and even investor-owned utilities like Xcel Energy. The school learned it must find a new site for its campus due to commercial development at its existing location. The cooperative’s contribution will help the school meet approximately 20% of its relocation costs.
The Mesa Hotline School was formed in the 1960s at Mesa College following an inquiry from two cooperatives located on Colorado’s Western Slope, Empire Electric and Yampa Valley. Fast-growing local cooperatives needed a state-of-the-art facility that could provide the right kind of training and education for their lineworkers. The school enrolled its first class of 59 students in 1966. In the half century since, membership has grown from 15 members to nearly 80, representing electric utilities of all sizes throughout the country. In 2022, more than 100 instructors and volunteers helped provide training to approximately 600 lineworkers enrolled in the school’s various programs.
“The Mesa Hotline School has had a mutually beneficial relationship with United Power for many years,” said Brent Sydow, United Power’s Vice President of Operations. “Working foremen from United Power have invested hundreds of hours at the school teaching courses to both young and experienced lineworkers, and our lineworkers and apprentices have received the highest level of training through the school’s programs and course selections.”
Courses include underground and overhead equipment training, high tension stringing, and simulated high voltage training. Industry vendors also conduct training classes to showcase the latest tools and technology. Additionally, United Power utilizes the school’s educational materials to help progress its apprentice lineworkers toward qualification for the journeyman certification.
When the school received its notice about finding a new location, it began soliciting members for assistance. The relocation costs include site development, facility materials, training equipment, and more. The Mesa Hotline School launched a fundraising campaign this summer with the goal of raising $100,000 in preparation for its next class in May 2023. For more information about the hotline school, go to www.mesahotlineschool.com.
United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.###
