-
My Account
-
-
Start, Stop or Transfer
-
-
My Energy
-
-
Energy Options
-
-
Outage & Safety
-
-
New Construction
-
-
Construction Projects
-
Construction Guides
-
-
-
News & Community
-
-
About Us
-
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.07/22/2019 - 04:40 PM
Summer Air Conditioning and the Demand Rate Monday | July 22, 2019 Your air conditioner is probably one of the most demand intensive appliances in your home. This means members will begin to see their demand charge rise to include this additional appliance as the summer heat arrives. Read more >09/24/2019 - 07:45 AM
Summer Heat Sets Record Peak Monday | September 23, 2019 In July, the cooperative hit its record peak demand at more than 520 megawatts, the highest demand of any cooperative in the state. Read more >08/16/2026 - 03:36 PM
Sunday Afternoon Outage in Lochbuie Sunday | August 16, 2026 Outage affecting approximately 4,000 members. Read more >02/10/2026 - 04:19 PM
Survey Sent to Members Tuesday | February 10, 2026 We want your feedback! Read more >09/21/2023 - 01:33 PM
Surviving in Place: Why a Battery Backup? Thursday | September 21, 2023 Members who rely on powered medical equipment should have a plan for large disasters and power interruptions. Read more >01/03/2020 - 08:41 AM
Title Take the Edge off Electric Bills in 2020 /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Jan2020_NL_EnergySavings.jpg?itok=RVVF9LRm Friday | January 3, 2020 Card Teaser Take advantage of the resources the cooperative provides for its members and discover quick home upgrades and behavior changes to see immediate savings. United Power is committed to providing members with the tools and resources they need to take control of their energy use. As we enter a new year, and a new decade, it’s never been easier to control your energy and become more energy efficient. Take advantage of the resources the cooperative provides for its members and discover quick home upgrades and behavior changes to see immediate savings. Here are some ways United Power is empowering its members to take control. Find a Rate that Works for You United Power’s residential rates are designed so members have the option to choose one that most closely fits how they use energy. When the cooperative’s demand rate debuted in January 2019, it separated the energy and demand components and allowed the cooperative to more fairly charge members for both their energy use and impact on the grid. Along with it, the cooperative also rolled out the Smart Choice Rate, which provided two different peak demand charges and a much lower energy charge. This rate remains unchanged for 2020. New this year, United Power added a Peak Time of Day rate, which encourages members to switch their usage to off-peak hours. The new rate charges a higher demand for on-peak usage, but does not charge for demand during off-peak hours. The cooperative’s standard and time of day rates also remain options for members. However you use your energy, the flexibility of the cooperative’s residential rates should meet most members’ needs. Link: United Power Residential Rates Register for the Power Portal to Monitor Your Usage Curious to see when you used the most energy this past month or how it compares to your usage throughout the year? Was it the high or low temps causing you to use more energy than you expected? Or was it the new hot tub? New major appliances and recreational equipment often use more energy than we initially expect. To find out what’s driving your energy use, register for the Power Portal. With the Power Portal, you can access your complete energy consumption portfolio in 15-minute intervals throughout the day to get a clear look at how you use your energy. Armed with this information, you can make small behavior changes to save you over time, helping keep bills lower and more manageable. Link: Find out more about the Power Portal here. Free Online Resources Help You Take Inventory of Your Usage How energy efficient are your behaviors? The Power Portal may arm you with the information you need to begin making changes, but what are those changes exactly? What “quick wins” can you implement to see a difference? A home energy assessment tool can show you just how energy efficient certain behaviors are, and how you can change them to get the most out of your energy. These and other tools are available on the United Power website. Just go to Energy Programs and click on Managing My Energy or click below. Link: Managing My Energy Install a Smart Thermostat According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling our homes accounts for nearly half of our annual energy usage, making it the most expensive part of our bills. Experts agree adjusting your thermostat a few degrees when you’re not home is the best way to save. With a programmable thermostat, like the Nest Learning Thermostat, you can set your temp when you leave for work and adjust it remotely so it’s comfortable when you get home. Smart thermostats learn your schedule and adjust automatically, respond to changes in local weather and analyze your energy use. Buy Energy Star® Appliances and Get Money Back Replacing your old appliances with newer, more energy efficient products is a quick way to see immediate savings on your monthly bill. United Power members qualify for exclusive rebates through the cooperative and its wholesale power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission. Rebates are available on select Energy Star® appliances (including refrigerators/freezers, dishwashers and clothes washers). Additional rebates are available on heat pumps, electric water heaters and electric heating systems. Link: Rebates & Programs Change a Little, Save a Lot While United Power provides a wealth of rebates, programs and tools that members can take advantage of to become more energy efficient, some changes are as quick and easy as investing in power strips or closing curtains. Using power strips can help limit infamous “vampire loads,” which happen when devices use energy although they appear to be turned off. Vampire loads are approaching 10 percent of the average household’s electric use, according to the EPA. Upgrading to smart power strips adds the ability to remotely control outlets, either as a whole or individually. Lowering water heater temps to the “warm” setting can save on energy and scalding when washing hands. Leaving your curtains open in the winter lets the sun naturally warm your home, and closing them in the summer keeps heat out. These are a few quick and efficient options to save immediately on your bill. Link: Find saving tips at Energy Tips Talk to a United Power Energy Management Specialist United Power has a team of Energy Management Specialists, available to advise and assist you with your energy concerns. Energy Management Specialists walk through your concerns, analyze your usage and provide you with practical information you can use to control your energy usage. They can walk you through available rates, programs and rebates to ensure you’re maximizing your energy savings. Ultimately, energy savings comes down to the small things. Turn off lights and ceiling fans when you aren’t in a room. Turn off power strips to televisions, gaming systems and other electronics, including chargers, that are not in use. Take shorter showers. Consolidate loads of laundry and dishes to make the best use of hot water. Stagger the use of appliances to avoid a higher demand. Remind everyone in your family to make energy savings a priority. Work with them to start a conversation about saving energy, and you’ll see the savings every month. Enter into the new decade resolved to be more energy efficient.03/25/2026 - 09:32 AM
Title Tenth Circuit Court Opinion Signals End to Years of Litigation /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Gavel.png?h=056ec721&itok=Nlg14PbQ Wednesday | March 25, 2026 Card Teaser Opinion upholds FERC orders that adopted an exit-fee methodology for distribution cooperative members. Brighton, CO – On March 24, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (Tenth Circuit) issued an opinion upholding multiple Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) orders dating back to December 2023 that adopted an exit-fee methodology for distribution cooperative members wishing to exit their all-requirements power supply contracts with Tri-State Generation & Transmission (Tri-State). Litigation over the exit process and the fee under Tri-State’s Rate Schedule No. 281 has taken United Power and several other former Tri-State members on an odyssey to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, Colorado state court, more than six years of proceedings at FERC, a review in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and finally the Tenth Circuit where the judges heard four separate appeals of FERC’s orders. In denying Tri-State’s multiple petitions, the Tenth Circuit held “we have no doubt that FERC sufficiently weighed competing views on the best approach to the exit-fee methodology. In a 200-plus page order, FERC assiduously weighed the proposed exit-fee methodologies and the parties’ competing views. It then reweighed the methodologies and competing views on rehearing.” Moreover, the Tenth Circuit noted that “it would be inappropriate for the [exit-fee] payment to shield Tri-State from its other business risks.” United Power has always recognized that it would have to pay an exit fee, but it has sought a fair, transparent process, and a just and reasonable methodology for establishing the amount. The cooperative’s Chief Legal Officer Robin Meidhof notes that “Tri-State’s insistence that United Power pay $1.6 billion was never reasonable and the Tenth Circuit opinion affirmed that ‘record evidence supported a balance sheet approach’ adopted by FERC.” Pursuant to FERC’s orders, Tri-State ultimately received $627.2 million from United Power, but $296.3 million of that amount was a credit for transmission service for the next 40 years. The Tenth Circuit opinion explained that due to the technical understanding and policy judgment required to determine the exit-fee methodology, “FERC, not this or any other court, regulates electricity rates.” Meidhof shared, “We hope this decision brings closure for Tri-State and the guidance that all its members have been seeking for far too many years. At a time when all utilities are working to address challenges and increasing costs to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to their members/customers, we want to be collaborating with Tri-State, not continuing to litigate a matter that should have been resolved years ago.” About United Power 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 co-ops in the nation, serving more than 117,000 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. ###03/20/2020 - 02:28 PM
Thank A Lineman Friday | March 20, 2020 On April 18th, we will join in celebrating National Lineman Appreciation Day, honoring the hard work, innovation and dedication of America’s electrical lineworkers. Read more >01/24/2019 - 11:01 AM
Title The Birth of a Cooperative /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Jan2019_NL_BirthCooperative.png?itok=m6DZoKJN Thursday | January 3, 2019 Card Teaser This is the first in a three part series chronicling the cooperative’s history leading up to its 80th Annual Meeting this April. Today, United Power enjoys a seat as one of the most progressive cooperatives across the country. Over the past 80 years, United Power has reached milestones few other cooperatives have, but not without first overcoming a few seasons of turbulence. This is the first in a three part series chronicling the cooperative’s history leading up to its 80th Annual Meeting this April. In June 1938, shortly after Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Rural Electric Administration, a group of local farmers in the counties northeast of Denver met to discuss the possibility of forming a cooperative to meet their needs. In October of that year, Union Rural Electric Association was born. The cooperative began construction on lines that would first serve members in late January of 1940. Though the outbreak of WWII paused development, growth continued through the 1950s. During that time, Union REA entered a competitive territory battle with the state’s largest public utility, Public Service Company of Colorado (now Xcel Energy), which had begun to see the areas lucrative potential. The battle over service territory would continue throughout the 1980s. Legislation passed in 1961 finally recognized Union REA, and all other utilities in the state, as full-fledged public utilities with the right to serve certified territories, temporarily halting PSCo’s encroachment on the cooperative’s territory. However, Union REA agreed to allow PSCo to serve some of the fastest growing towns in its territory following a negotiation in 1964. In the 1970s, PSCo broke faith with the cooperative as growth exploded in the area during that time. The public utility began aggressively claiming territory beyond what Union REA felt was outlined in the agreement. During that time, Union lost nearly 2000 accounts, and many more were considered “at-risk.” In 1987, the Public Utilities Commission declared the agreement invalid in favor of the cooperative, triggering PSCo to initiate a takeover attempt later that year. Now more than 10,000 members strong, the cooperative’s healthy growth, combined with the proximity to the Denver metro area, made Union an attractive takeover target. PSCo offered to buy out the cooperative for $62.5 million and compensate members with a $500 cash payout to replace lost capital credits. Union REA leadership felt the offer was disingenuous, and communicated directly with membership until a vote on Saturday, August 22, 1987. Union members ultimately voted against the takeover, placing their faith in the promise of the cooperative future.01/23/2026 - 11:19 AM
The Cooperative Principles Saturday | January 31, 2026 Understanding the seven principles that guide United Power and other cooperatives. Read more >12/30/2020 - 09:00 AM
Title The Diversity of Careers in Cooperatives /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Dec2020_NL_Careers.jpg?itok=Vk96VvfA Friday | December 18, 2020 Card Teaser At a cooperative, you are more than an employee. Your work is valued because it directly benefits the members it serves. Whether it’s a large investor-owned utility or a small, local cooperative like United Power, most people picture lineworkers when they think of the individuals who work at their electric utility. Lineworkers are highly visible around the communites we serve, working to ensure our members have safe and reliable power around the clock. They become all the more visible when the weather turns bad. Our line crews are powered by hard-working employees who are passionate about the jobs they perform. When it comes to keeping your lights on, though, linemen don’t do it alone. There are many who work behind the scenes day in and day out to assist them in their duties and serve our members in less visible, but equally important, roles. United Power’s system is a complicated infrastructure designed to deliver more than 500 megawatts of power to more than 95,000 members over nearly 1,000 square miles. Our engineers and operations staff coordinate to plan and design the system to ensure it runs effectively and efficiently. When the power does go out, this design allows our line crews to restore it quickly. The suburbs around Denver have become an attractive place to live, and because of this, United Power has seen tremendous growth over the past few years. When a new business or subdivision development moves into our territory, our project managers work closely with developers to review and design an electrical route that meets both the system’s and members’ needs. Over the years, United Power has built a name for itself as an innovative and forward-thinking cooperative, due in large part to its willingness to adopt new technology to better serve our members, such as four utility-scale solar farms and the state’s largest battery storage facility. Our New Business team helps coordinate these projects and also manages our diverse set of energy management tools, available free to our members. These represent only a few of the many career paths one can choose to pursue with a cooperative. Opportunities exist in finance and accounting, information technology, communications, government relations and more. You could even assist members directly as part of our Member Services team. At a cooperative, you are more than an employee. Your work is valued because it directly benefits the members it serves. Check United Power’s Careers page to see what opportunities are currently available at Careers.