Message From Our CEOMessage From Your President & CEOA Letter to Members
As I am writing this column for our members, your cooperative is experiencing the largest energy loads in its 88-year history — and the system is handling them well, thanks to continued investments in the critical assets needed to keep power flowing and the lights on in our homes and businesses.
Electricity today, as has been the case for more than 120 years, operates seamlessly as a backdrop in homes and businesses. Its absence is felt more than its presence. Continual reinvestment in technology and steady maintenance of these systems are necessary to ensure the quality of life electricity provides every single day, as well as a commitment to power restoration when service is interrupted.
All utilities operate in a negative feedback mode because reliability is so high. The member services team gets very few thank you calls each day — though they deserve it. They receive 730 live calls on an average day and more than 16,000 per month, answering questions about everything from billing and outages to understanding demand and explaining high bills.
United Power has an ongoing planning process that forecasts years out to understand system demands. Using a combination of engineering data, field knowledge, and growth projections, we prepare well ahead of the cooperative’s needs.
Analysis is done every year on the worst-performing feeders (those with the most outages) when determining where to focus resources. Areas prime for development are considered for new substations and future loads are estimated. Interdepartmental teamwork helps develop budgets for the Board of Directors to review and approve. A new asset management system being rolled out will add more rigor to that process. This is important for both maintenance and expansion of the system that you, our member-owners, count on each day.
The budgeting process includes many trade-offs in order to be conscious of the financial implications of system investments. Even without financial constraints, there is the practical reality of completing work in a timely fashion. Factors such as supply chain management, manufacturing lead times, and product availability all come into play as plans are put together.
Technological advances are also a factor in the decision process. This is more critical than ever now that United Power is energy independent and must plan for its own power supply. A great example is the new distributed energy resource management system (DERMS), launched earlier this year. It allows members with smart thermostats and electric vehicles to participate in programs that lower their costs and allows the cooperative to control peaks when power prices are high. Similar investments in battery energy storage systems (BESS) in 2018 — and expanded in 2024 — allow United Power to avoid paying for higher cost power and bring revenue back to the co-op, offsetting other costs.
I am proud of the people and processes that have allowed United Power to carefully invest in the system as growth continues, and thankful for the support from our Board. The women and men of your cooperative work diligently every day to keep the lights on and plan and prepare to make the right investments over time that ensure the system is robust enough to handle whatever comes its way.
As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or comments.
Meter Disconnects, Upgrades, and TamperingMeter Disconnects
United Power will help coordinate service disconnects for members performing tree trimming, home renovation projects, system upgrades, or any other work that requires temporary interruptions. Please contact the cooperative to schedule service disconnects at your home or business prior to work being conducted.
Contact a member services representative with any questions about service disconnects at 303-637-1300.
Members and member-hired electricians or contractors are not authorized to tamper, disconnect, or otherwise bypass United Power meters.
My AccountTake Control of Your Account Electronically
United Power offers members easy access to their account online through our website and free United Power app.
Take control of your electricity use and United Power account. In one place you can:
New Commercial ConstructionElectrical Service For New Commercial Construction
While filling out the above application, please remember to attached any site plans and CAD files. Please fill out and submit Landbase App for any CAD files. Once submitted, a project manager/coordinator will review your request and create a work/design order. Please allow up to 10 business days for the design and cost letter to be sent out, but larger projects may take up to 20 business days. (Note:A coordinator may request a site visit prior to this letter being sent.)
Payment will need to be made up front.
Once payment has been received, a Right of Way (ROW) review can begin, if necessary. Once complete, the work order is assigned and scheduled by Operations. Scheduling can usually be made 4-6 weeks out.
Upon completion of construction, an electrician-installed meter housing will need to be inspected by the city and/or county. Secondary line is brought to United Power's transformer by an electrician. United Power will provide the meter housing and CTs.
After inspection, a meter release is sent to United Power and forwarded to Operations. It may take between 2-10 business days for meters to be set.
New ERA
United Power was fortunate to receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service that directly lowers power supply costs over the next 10-15 years. These funds will help mitigate the rising cost of power to stabilize rates for co-op members.
Four of the seven projects approved as part of United Power’s 2024 grant application are already serving members’ energy needs, and the next three will come online by 2030. In total, the grant will support seven new generation resources, including local facilities that will bring jobs and tax revenue to the cities and counties United Power serves.
New MeteringNew Metering Process
Your new construction will be ready for meter installation once all the following are complete:
Construction is finished.
The electrician-installed meter housing has passed inspection by the city and/or county.
The inspector has submitted a passed meter release to United Power.
After United Power receives the meter release and gathers the remaining required details – such as service billing information – a meter connect service order is created and assigned to a technician.
United Power aims to complete new service connections within 15 business days. The connection timeline may take longer during periods of high demand or when site conditions require additional work.
NOTICE: Current meter connect lead time is 12-15 business days.
New ResidentialElectrical Service For New Residential Construction
A United Power project manager/coordinator will review your application request once it has been received. After review, the coordinator will create a work order/design and send a design and cost letter to the applicant. Please allow up to 10 business days for the design and cost letter to be sent out. (Note: A coordinator may request a site visit prior to this letter being sent.)
Payment for services will need to be made up front.
Once payment has been received, a Right of Way (ROW) review can begin, if necessary. Once complete, the work order is assigned and scheduled by Operations. Scheduling can usually be made 3-5 weeks out.
Upon completion of construction, an electrician-installed meter housing will need to be inspected by the city and/or county. United Power installed pedestals will also need to be inspected.
After inspection, a meter release is sent to United Power and forwarded to Operations. It may take between 2-10 business days for meters to be set.
New Subdivision ConstructionElectrical Service For New Subdivision Construction
While filling out the above application, please remember to attached any site plans and CAD files. Please fill out and submit Landbase App for any CAD files. Once submitted, a project manager/coordinator will review your request and create a work/design order. Please allow up to 20 business days for the design and cost letter to be sent out. (Note:A coordinator may request a pre-design meeting.)
Payment for services will need to be made up front.
Once payment has been received, a Right of Way (ROW) review can begin, if necessary. Once complete, the work order is assigned and scheduled by Operations. United Power will schedule a precon, and construction will be scheduled at the precon.
Upon completion of construction, an electrician-installed meter housing will need to be inspected by the city and/or county. Secondary line is brought to United Power's transformer by an electrician. United Power will provide the meter housing and CTs.
After inspection, a meter release is sent to United Power and forwarded to Operations. It may take between 2-10 business days for meters to be set.
Operation Round UpSmall Change Can Change A Life
Operation Round Up is a voluntary United Power program where members elect to have their monthly billing statement rounded up to the next whole dollar. Money collected through the program is used to provide assistance to community organizations within the cooperative's service territory. The average donation from members is only $.50 each billing cycle. That small change adds up quickly. Operation Round Up celebrated 30 years in 2020, and since its inception, the program has returned nearly $3 million to individuals, families, and charitable groups.
Operation Round Up also accepts one-time donations. Make check donations out to the United Power Round Up Foundation and mail to:
United Power Round Up Foundation
500 Cooperative Way
Brighton, CO 80603
Message From Our CEOMessage From Your President & CEOA Letter to Members
As I am writing this column for our members, your cooperative is experiencing the largest energy loads in its 88-year history — and the system is handling them well, thanks to continued investments in the critical assets needed to keep power flowing and the lights on in our homes and businesses.
Electricity today, as has been the case for more than 120 years, operates seamlessly as a backdrop in homes and businesses. Its absence is felt more than its presence. Continual reinvestment in technology and steady maintenance of these systems are necessary to ensure the quality of life electricity provides every single day, as well as a commitment to power restoration when service is interrupted.
All utilities operate in a negative feedback mode because reliability is so high. The member services team gets very few thank you calls each day — though they deserve it. They receive 730 live calls on an average day and more than 16,000 per month, answering questions about everything from billing and outages to understanding demand and explaining high bills.
United Power has an ongoing planning process that forecasts years out to understand system demands. Using a combination of engineering data, field knowledge, and growth projections, we prepare well ahead of the cooperative’s needs.
Analysis is done every year on the worst-performing feeders (those with the most outages) when determining where to focus resources. Areas prime for development are considered for new substations and future loads are estimated. Interdepartmental teamwork helps develop budgets for the Board of Directors to review and approve. A new asset management system being rolled out will add more rigor to that process. This is important for both maintenance and expansion of the system that you, our member-owners, count on each day.
The budgeting process includes many trade-offs in order to be conscious of the financial implications of system investments. Even without financial constraints, there is the practical reality of completing work in a timely fashion. Factors such as supply chain management, manufacturing lead times, and product availability all come into play as plans are put together.
Technological advances are also a factor in the decision process. This is more critical than ever now that United Power is energy independent and must plan for its own power supply. A great example is the new distributed energy resource management system (DERMS), launched earlier this year. It allows members with smart thermostats and electric vehicles to participate in programs that lower their costs and allows the cooperative to control peaks when power prices are high. Similar investments in battery energy storage systems (BESS) in 2018 — and expanded in 2024 — allow United Power to avoid paying for higher cost power and bring revenue back to the co-op, offsetting other costs.
I am proud of the people and processes that have allowed United Power to carefully invest in the system as growth continues, and thankful for the support from our Board. The women and men of your cooperative work diligently every day to keep the lights on and plan and prepare to make the right investments over time that ensure the system is robust enough to handle whatever comes its way.
As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or comments.
Meter Disconnects, Upgrades, and TamperingMeter Disconnects
United Power will help coordinate service disconnects for members performing tree trimming, home renovation projects, system upgrades, or any other work that requires temporary interruptions. Please contact the cooperative to schedule service disconnects at your home or business prior to work being conducted.
Contact a member services representative with any questions about service disconnects at 303-637-1300.
Members and member-hired electricians or contractors are not authorized to tamper, disconnect, or otherwise bypass United Power meters.
My AccountTake Control of Your Account Electronically
United Power offers members easy access to their account online through our website and free United Power app.
Take control of your electricity use and United Power account. In one place you can:
New Commercial ConstructionElectrical Service For New Commercial Construction
While filling out the above application, please remember to attached any site plans and CAD files. Please fill out and submit Landbase App for any CAD files. Once submitted, a project manager/coordinator will review your request and create a work/design order. Please allow up to 10 business days for the design and cost letter to be sent out, but larger projects may take up to 20 business days. (Note:A coordinator may request a site visit prior to this letter being sent.)
Payment will need to be made up front.
Once payment has been received, a Right of Way (ROW) review can begin, if necessary. Once complete, the work order is assigned and scheduled by Operations. Scheduling can usually be made 4-6 weeks out.
Upon completion of construction, an electrician-installed meter housing will need to be inspected by the city and/or county. Secondary line is brought to United Power's transformer by an electrician. United Power will provide the meter housing and CTs.
After inspection, a meter release is sent to United Power and forwarded to Operations. It may take between 2-10 business days for meters to be set.
New ERA
United Power was fortunate to receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service that directly lowers power supply costs over the next 10-15 years. These funds will help mitigate the rising cost of power to stabilize rates for co-op members.
Four of the seven projects approved as part of United Power’s 2024 grant application are already serving members’ energy needs, and the next three will come online by 2030. In total, the grant will support seven new generation resources, including local facilities that will bring jobs and tax revenue to the cities and counties United Power serves.
New MeteringNew Metering Process
Your new construction will be ready for meter installation once all the following are complete:
Construction is finished.
The electrician-installed meter housing has passed inspection by the city and/or county.
The inspector has submitted a passed meter release to United Power.
After United Power receives the meter release and gathers the remaining required details – such as service billing information – a meter connect service order is created and assigned to a technician.
United Power aims to complete new service connections within 15 business days. The connection timeline may take longer during periods of high demand or when site conditions require additional work.
NOTICE: Current meter connect lead time is 12-15 business days.
New ResidentialElectrical Service For New Residential Construction
A United Power project manager/coordinator will review your application request once it has been received. After review, the coordinator will create a work order/design and send a design and cost letter to the applicant. Please allow up to 10 business days for the design and cost letter to be sent out. (Note: A coordinator may request a site visit prior to this letter being sent.)
Payment for services will need to be made up front.
Once payment has been received, a Right of Way (ROW) review can begin, if necessary. Once complete, the work order is assigned and scheduled by Operations. Scheduling can usually be made 3-5 weeks out.
Upon completion of construction, an electrician-installed meter housing will need to be inspected by the city and/or county. United Power installed pedestals will also need to be inspected.
After inspection, a meter release is sent to United Power and forwarded to Operations. It may take between 2-10 business days for meters to be set.
New Subdivision ConstructionElectrical Service For New Subdivision Construction
While filling out the above application, please remember to attached any site plans and CAD files. Please fill out and submit Landbase App for any CAD files. Once submitted, a project manager/coordinator will review your request and create a work/design order. Please allow up to 20 business days for the design and cost letter to be sent out. (Note:A coordinator may request a pre-design meeting.)
Payment for services will need to be made up front.
Once payment has been received, a Right of Way (ROW) review can begin, if necessary. Once complete, the work order is assigned and scheduled by Operations. United Power will schedule a precon, and construction will be scheduled at the precon.
Upon completion of construction, an electrician-installed meter housing will need to be inspected by the city and/or county. Secondary line is brought to United Power's transformer by an electrician. United Power will provide the meter housing and CTs.
After inspection, a meter release is sent to United Power and forwarded to Operations. It may take between 2-10 business days for meters to be set.
Operation Round UpSmall Change Can Change A Life
Operation Round Up is a voluntary United Power program where members elect to have their monthly billing statement rounded up to the next whole dollar. Money collected through the program is used to provide assistance to community organizations within the cooperative's service territory. The average donation from members is only $.50 each billing cycle. That small change adds up quickly. Operation Round Up celebrated 30 years in 2020, and since its inception, the program has returned nearly $3 million to individuals, families, and charitable groups.
Operation Round Up also accepts one-time donations. Make check donations out to the United Power Round Up Foundation and mail to:
United Power Round Up Foundation
500 Cooperative Way
Brighton, CO 80603
