Brighton, CO – United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2025. This year, the cooperative awarded more than $35,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected 20 high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and a written essay. 

2025 Cooperative Scholarship recipients: 

• Ryan Brown, Frederick High School, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000
• Kennedy Cardillo, Weld Central High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
• Alora Tortorelli Cruz, Riverdale Ridge High School, Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Isaac Griffith, Rocky Mountain Lutheran High School, United Power Community College Scholarship, $1,000
• Trevor Kurtz, Mead High School, Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Madison Miller, Mead High School, United Power Technical/Vocational Scholarship, $1,000
• Adisyn Rademacher, Mead High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500

Additionally, United Power dedicates a Bright Futures Scholarship to a student from each high school within its service territory, provided the cooperative receives an application. This year, United Power awarded 13 scholarships for $2,000 each, including three “at-large” selections. 

Bright Futures Scholarships for 2025 were awarded to Ava Allen, Frontier Academy; Arely Chavez, Weld Central High School; Olivia Cornelius, Riverdale Ridge High School; Ethan DeBoo, Legacy High School; Kalei Dreiling, Prairie View High School; Carina DuLong, Fairview High School; Laneya Harris, Fort Lupton High School; Anna Jorstad, Brighton High School; Rolando Mijares Miranda, Frederick High School; Taryn Petruncola, Erie High School; Matthew Pineda, Stargate Charter School; Nicole Price, Mead High School; and Arnav Sudheer, Prospect Ridge Academy. 

More information about United Power’s scholarships, including a video recognizing this year’s recipients, can be found here. Scholarship applications are made available on the United Power’s website by December each year.

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 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.

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United Power is pleased to announce the promotion of Matt Bartlett to the role of Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Bartlett joined United Power in 2018 as the cooperative’s IT Infrastructure Manager, and most recently served as Vice President of IT Infrastructure and Operations where he spearheaded the cooperative’s comprehensive technology transformation, including rebuilding critical network and server infrastructure, implementing a hybrid cloud environment, and establishing a robust data platform. His leadership has enhanced both the information technology and operational technology cybersecurity framework of the cooperative, while streamlining operations through targeted strategic process improvement and automation initiatives.

“I am pleased to have Matt join the executive leadership team at United Power, in the critical role of Chief Information Officer,” said Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO. “Electric utilities have become more automated and rely on increasingly complex data and information systems to operate and provide the services members expect. Having the most talented and capable leader in this role is vital to our success.”

Bartlett is a Certified Information Services Security Professional and brings more than 20 years of experience improving information technology operations across a breadth of industries, including electric utilities, non-profits, healthcare, manufacturing, and higher education. He has a record of building high-performing teams and a keen ability to align technology solutions with business objectives.

“Our goal of providing more comprehensive solutions to cooperative members, coupled with a focus on cybersecurity for our many information system platforms, requires that United Power have the best leadership possible in this area,” said Gabriel. “I am confident Matt will help United Power bring enhanced services to the cooperative membership, while further developing our talented information technology team to meet the co-op’s future needs.”

Board Responsible for Enforcing State Electrical Statutes

Governor Jared Polis appointed United Power’s Energy Solutions Director Tyler Bain to the Colorado State Electrical Board earlier this year and he was recommended to the Senate for confirmation in April. The board is responsible for the licensing, registering, and regulating of electricians, apprentices, and electrical contractors, as well as adopting and revising rules and regulations concerning wiring apparatus and equipment for electric light, heat, and power. Its mission is to enforce the state’s electrical statutes and protect the health and safety of Colorado residents. The board is made up of nine professional and public members. Bain joins the board as a representative for electrical utilities. 

Prior to moving into his role as director of the energy solutions team, Bain worked as an electrical engineer for the cooperative. He is also a certified professional engineer with a degree from the Colorado School of Mines. As the Energy Solutions Director, he is leading United Power’s efforts to become a distribution system operator and is responsible for the development and implementation of the co-op’s energy programs. 

“It is an honor to be appointed to this position, and I am thankful for the opportunity to represent United Power and other electric utilities on this board,” said Bain.

Bain’s term on the Colorado Electric Board expires on July 1, 2026.