United Power is more than your local electric utility, and you are more than a customer. The decisions United Power makes are not to satisfy investors or generate profits, but to serve members and communities, ensure the system is well maintained, and to deliver safe and reliable power that members rely on. 

This focus on people instead of profits is one of the benefits that makes cooperative membership different. Another benefit that sets membership apart is the retirement of capital credits. If you are new to the cooperative or unfamiliar with capital credits, these represent your investment in the co-op. Here is how it works: 

Becoming a Member

You become a United Power member-owner the moment you activate your electric service with the cooperative. As a member, you have unique privileges, one of which is the principle of economic participation. A portion of each electric bill you pay goes toward the cooperative’s operation and infrastructure, representing your ownership stake. 

Capital Credit Allocation

Each spring, any funds remaining after all expenses are paid from the prior year are allocated to members. Your allocation represents your ownership in the cooperative (i.e., the amount of money you have invested in the electric system based on your electric consumption — generally meaning your allocation will be larger if you consumed more energy). The funds are tracked, but not accessible in cash form. You are notified of your allocation amount on your bill in May or June each year. 

Capital Credit Retirement

The Board of Directors carefully assesses the cooperative’s financial condition each year and determines if a capital credit retirement is feasible. This year, the Board approved a $4.5 million retirement with distribution beginning at the end of August. 

Anyone who had service in 2025 or earlier will be eligible. Distributions will be issued as a bill credit if they are less than $50 and will arrive as a check if more than $50.

Learn more about capital credits or call 303-637-1300 to speak with a Member Services Representative.