The events that will come to define this past year were unpredictable. Even as work and home life looked different during this time, United Power has continued to work hard behind the scenes to provide the same level of service to our members despite unexpected limitations. Though the cooperative took certain steps for the health and safety of both members and employees, we continued to work toward providing safe, reliable and affordable power in 2020.
A United Response to COVID-19
Although 2020 had its share of defining moments, perhaps nothing will come to define it more than the pandemic that arrived on the scene midway through March, forcing United Power to temporarily close its offices to the public. Recognizing the impact certain COVID restrictions could have on members, the cooperative took immediate action to provide help and relief.
The cooperative became one of the first in the state to announce a temporary halt to disconnects for nonpayment, making the decision prior to Governor Jared Polis’ statewide executive order. In the weeks that followed, the Board of Directors approved an allocation of $250,000 in unclaimed capital credits to the Co-op Cares Fund. The fund was established to help members who were financially impacted by the pandemic pay balances on their account. Toward the end of the year, the Board approved an additional allocation of $300,000, including $250,000 to help support members in 2021. Among other relief efforts, the cooperative also retired capital credits to members several months early, getting cash back to members at a time when they could use the relief. Additional information about the cooperative’s ongoing COVID-19 response is available on our Coronavirus Response page.
Round-Up Gets Involved
Considering the many families struggling because of the pandemic, Operation Round-Up distributed additional funds to nonprofits providing services to help United Power members. In addition to the continued support of several partner organizations, Round-Up provided $10,000 each to the Food Bank of the Rockies and the Weld Country Food Bank, helping provide thousands of meals for United Power members and their families.
Find out more information or sign up for Round-Up here.
Contactless Payment Options
United Power has provided members with a variety of contactless payment methods for several years. Members are able to make payments quickly and easily using our free online account management tool, SmartHub, or the United Power mobile app. With these tools, members can schedule their own payments or enroll in Auto Pay, which ensures payments are made on time every month. Members may also make payments over the phone by calling 866-999-4485. United Power also invested in new ways for members to make contactless payments, installing kiosks at its office locations in Carbon Valley and Coal Creek. The cooperative later added a kiosk at the Brighton office location and recently in Fort Lupton at the Bank of Colorado’s Operation Center. More information about kiosks can be found on our Payment Options page. .
Supporting Causes Members Care About
United Power unveiled its Member Choice Grants program in 2020. The new program allowed members to nominate area nonprofits to receive grants from the cooperative, ensuring our continued support for causes you care about. The six nonprofits selected to receive grants in 2020 were focused on providing for the essential needs of others who were trying to navigate difficult circumstances. The program was renewed for 2021, and nominations are now being accepted on our Member Choice Grants page.
Wildfire Rebuild in the Mountains
Several wildfires burned throughout Colorado during the summer and fall of 2020, representing the worst wildfire season in the state’s history. Thousands of acres were burned in rural parts of the state, impacting a few neighboring cooperatives. When the East Troublesome Fire consumed more than 100,000 acres overnight near Granby and Grand Lake in October, Mountain Parks Electric received significant damage to its system. United Power joined four other state cooperatives in dispatching crews and equipment to help rebuild parts of the system to quickly and safely restore power to as many of their members as possible.
Fifth Utility Solar Farm
Despite difficult circumstances, United Power was also busy behind the scenes maintaining its reputation as one of the nation’s most forward-thinking and innovative cooperatives in 2020. Toward the year’s end, United Power energized the Platteville Solar Farm, its fifth utility scale solar farm, directly adjacent to the Rattlesnake Solar Farm near Platteville. With the addition of this new facility, the cooperative now has more than 43 megawatts of solar connected to its system, in addition to approximately 6,000 residential rooftop systems.
Find our more about our innovative projects here.
Investing in EV Resources
Electric vehicles are gaining popularity across the country, and there’s significant interest and adoption within the United Power service area. United Power provided several opportunities for members to look at potential investments in EVs this past year. In October, United Power hosted a live virtual event to dispel myths and hesitations about EVs and provide education on how an electric vehicle could be right for you and your family. Earlier in the year, we also rolled out a new online resource, called ChooseEV, to help answer member questions about either all-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles.
For more information on ChooseEV, click here.
No Rate Increase for 2021
In December, United Power announced there would be no rate increase for the new year, which could not have come at a better time for many members, especially those who were impacted by the pandemic. Rates were able to remain stable thanks to the forethought of cooperative leadership, who recognized the financial impact of the pandemic and took immediate action to reduce spending in various departments. Other factors that allowed for stable rates included another strong year of growth in both membership and load.
As we move into this new year, the cooperative also remains in discussions with its wholesale power provider, Tri-State Generation & Transmission, in hopes of being able to reduce current rates and offer more competitive rates in the future. United Power responded to unprecedented and unpredictable circumstances in 2020. These situations helped us find new ways to communicate with members without sacrificing the same level of service you have come to expect from the cooperative. Responding to new challenges will inform us for years to come as we continue to provide our members with safe and reliable power.