Adams County District Court grants Tri-State’s motion for continuance 

Brighton, CO – District Judge Roberto Ramírez issued an order on June 11 that continued the jury trial between United Power, Inc. (United Power) and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State) that was set to begin later this month on June 26. 

“It is disappointing for the members of United Power that the breach of contract trial between United Power and Tri-State has been delayed,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and CEO. Tri-State asked for a continuance after flooding the court with numerous filings in an attempt to slow the judicial process. As Judge Ramírez noted in reluctantly granting Tri-State’s request to postpone a trial date to which it had agreed to more than a year ago, “The Court agrees with United Power that the bulk of the litigated issues pending before the Court are based on filings associated with Tri-State.”

The case centers around two key issues: whether Tri-State illegally added three non-utility members in order to escape state regulation and whether Tri-State’s failure to provide United Power with a fair exit fee in a timely manner is a breach of contract that precludes Tri-State from enforcing the parties’ contract, allowing United Power the right to withdraw from Tri-State at no cost and with the potential for a substantial damages award against Tri-State.

“Sadly, Tri-State has pursued a strategy of delay in both the state courts and at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC),” continued Gabriel. “This pattern results in uncertainty for both organizations, raises the costs for United Power members, and delays the time in which our members can get lower cost, cleaner energy for homes and businesses.”

United Power is leaving its wholesale power supplier May 1, 2024 based on FERC requirements. “We are leaving Tri-State next year regardless of the Adams County proceedings,” Gabriel said, adding “this critical case does not go away even with our departure nor does Tri-State’s liability for our members’ substantial damages. Stalling is not to anyone’s benefit.”

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, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 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. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

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My old boss used to have a saying, “Predicting rain is one thing, building the ark is another.” I am proud to say that your cooperative, with support from the Board of Directors, developed and is following Our Cooperative Roadmap — the ark for success now and into the future. This journey will continue the evolution of the electric business as we work to meet the needs of you, our members, wherever you are. 

There continues to be a lot of talk about the energy transition — how the future will look, the challenges of changing power suppliers, and the issues with more people and businesses seeking alternative generation sources. Many of these conversations in the industry revolve around concerns for reliability, resilience, and of course affordability, three watchwords for all of us operating your cooperative.

A distribution cooperative like United Power stands at the crossroads of a changing energy industry. It needs to transition from a simple distribution operator to managing a system that is agnostic to inputs and flexible enough to handle both centralized power and local generation. Very few central power stations are being built today, more fossil fuel generation facilities are closing, and transmission projects lag needs. A distribution system operator (DSO) will be counted on to manage a more complex, yet interlocked, system. This will empower you as members and monetize investments in a shared energy economy.

We are focused on staying closely tied to the economic drivers of the communities we serve to bring tax dollars, revenue, and well-paying job opportunities. We must be good stewards of our resources and build on the solid partnerships with our local businesses. I am proud to say that these partnerships are the cornerstone of the cooperative business model. 

Providing high quality and reliable service is crucial because businesses matter. We are restructuring some staff to focus on business and community partnerships — our key accounts. This will allow us to be more responsive, anticipate needs in areas such as power quality, and leverage available grant dollars and tax incentives. Another benefit in controlling our power supply will allow us to craft rates that work for these members.

As a member-owned cooperative, the concept of “meeting you where you are,” aligns with our goal of delivering mutual value. It has the added benefit of keeping investments in the communities we serve while ensuring the reliability and resiliency required in today’s environment. The quiet transition to localized grids, combined with the advancements in management tools and software, returns to continue the electricity enterprises’ original intent of bringing light, motive power, and comfort to the communities being served.

Our Cooperative Roadmap makes sure we are invested in the technological changes our members are navigating in our industry. More members want to self-generate or make energy efficient upgrades to their homes. Others are investing in technologies that will change the way we interface with members. United Power must continue supporting technologies that reduce costs for all members. Programs such as United EV, Smart Rewards for thermostats, energy efficiency rebates, and solar interconnections give members control over how they use power. We are here to support members who want to produce their own power and provide financial incentives that align with our goals of affordability and system control. These programs are aimed at sharing savings with our members when they participate in programs that can reduce our costs.

What does this mean in practice? United Power provides the people and tools to help members make decisions about their own energy use, power generation, use of technologies, and safe integration of batteries and solar panels. It means we are continuously scanning the horizon to make sure our distribution system is ready for tomorrow and safe for today.

We are not just predicting the rain of change but building the ark to ensure we sail into this bright new future.

Douglas Wins East District Seat; Three Incumbents Re-elected

Brighton, CO – United Power hosted its 2023 Annual Meeting on April 12. Members were invited to attend the meeting in person at Riverdale Regional Park in Brighton or watch live on the cooperative’s website. Approximately 500 members and guests participated in this year’s meeting, which included a video recap highlighting accomplishments over the last year, an annual financial report, a presentation on the future of the cooperative, and the certification of the 2023 Director Election.

Voting in the Director Election was conducted via mail-in and electronic balloting. The cooperative introduced electronic balloting in 2022 to provide members with a fast, secure, and convenient way to submit ballots and avoid delays in mail handling. Nearly 7,000 member ballots were cast in the election. Mountain District incumbent, Tamra “Tami” Waltemath, ran unopposed and will retain her seat with 5,918 votes. James Vigesaa received 1,960 votes winning the seat in the South District. Jamie Klein, Ken Kreutzer, and Katherine “Kathy” Mills received 1,271, 1,876, and 1,455 votes, respectively. In the West District, Virginia “Ginny” A. Buczek retained her seat after receiving 4,003 votes in this year’s election. Thomas “Tom” Hogan received 2,510 votes. Steven “Steve” Douglas received 3,614 votes to win the East District seat. Robert “Rob” Masden received 2,994 votes. 

Beth Martin, United Power’s Board Chairman, and Mark A. Gabriel, President and CEO, summarized the cooperative’s performance in 2022 with a video presentation. Last year, United Power reaffirmed its decision to exit its wholesale power contract in an effort pursue a more flexible, affordable, and reliable power supply. Over the course of the year, the cooperative achieved record-breaking reliability, and introduced its members to Our Cooperative Roadmap, an ever evolving plan outlining the co-op’s vision for maintaining its strength in a rapidly changing electric industry. 

“No matter what the future holds, providing reliable electric service will always be at the core of our business,” said Martin. “We made great strides in 2022 – strengthening our system, improving reliability, and protecting our communities.” 

Wildfire danger is an element of risk United Power takes seriously, with a continuously updated fire mitigation plan designed to protect our members and communities. In 2022, the cooperative removed vegetation encroaching on approximately 40 miles of line; applied a fire retardant to more than 400 poles; and added red flag warning procedures, which are activated when suitable wildfire conditions are present.

United Power also continued to evaluate opportunities to expand its electric vehicle (EV) offerings for members in 2022. The cooperative energized its third fast charger, rolled out its United EV pilot program, and launched its EV wiring rebate. 

Member Choice grants, which allow members to nominate local nonprofits to receive grant dollars from the cooperative, were renewed for a third year in 2022. Six organizations were selected from dozens of nominations to receive a total of $12,000 through the program. 

“Underlying all of these accomplishments is a dedicated team of United Power employees working to ensure they meet your needs,” said Gabriel. “Over 180 cooperative employees show up every day ready to put you first. They keep our systems secure and strong, take pride in working safely, and make sure that our members’ needs are met.”

Keith Alquist, United Power’s Board Treasurer, presented the cooperative’s financials and reported another strong year. The finance team continues to receive compliments from auditors for their professionalism, completeness, and accuracy in preparing financial statements at year-end and on a monthly basis.

Gabriel concluded the business meeting with a presentation about the future of the electric industry. He highlighted the many ways the cooperative has already begun to proactively address the changing utility environment – from driving economic prosperity for its communities through tax revenue and job creation to how it is meeting the crucial needs of large business members. He also discussed local generation and self-generation as well as the technologies that work in conjunction with a robust electrical system that benefit the cooperative, its communities, and the members. 

“A distribution utility like United Power stands at the crossroads of a changing energy industry and needs to transition from a simple distribution operator to managing a system that is agnostic to inputs and flexible enough to handle both centralized power and local generation,” he said.

Videos and information presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting, including the cooperative’s 2022 Annual Report, are available here. 

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 cooperatives in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 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. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, which is dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options available to distribution co-ops, reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

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DENVER, COLO. APRIL 11, 2023 – On Monday, April 10, 2023, Sen. Chris Hansen (D-Denver) and Sen. Cleave Simpson (R-Alamosa) read a resolution at the Capitol to establish Colorado Electrical Lineworker Appreciation Day. The day will be observed on April 18 each year to honor and recognize the crucial role that lineworkers play in providing safe and reliable electricity to communities throughout Colorado.

The resolution, recognizing lineworkers as the first responders for utilities, received unanimous bipartisan support from the Colorado Senate.

Sen. Hansen expressed gratitude for lineworkers, stating that as Colorado works toward a clean energy transition, lineworkers are essential to maintaining a reliable electric grid. The State Senate also recognizes the need to continue the support of private and public programs that train a sufficient number of electrical lineworkers.

CREA Executive Director Kent Singer reflects on the resolution saying, “Electric lineworkers are the unsung heroes of our modern society. Everything we rely on for a comfortable life, from food and shelter to computers, televisions and cellphones, is dependent on a functioning electric grid. Electric lineworkers are the ones who keep that grid in service at all times of the day and night and through every weather condition imaginable. We owe all of them a huge debt of gratitude.”

The resolution was supported by a coalition of energy industry groups, including the Colorado Rural Electric Association, Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities, Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy. Lineworkers and representatives from Colorado’s electric cooperatives and Black Hills Energy attended the resolution reading at the Capitol.