Updated Roadmap is Collective Vision to Successfully Deliver on Co-op’s Mission

United Power debuted its landmark action plan for preparing and adapting to industry changes nearly three years ago as it was about to enter new territory as an independent electric utility. Our Cooperative Roadmap (Roadmap) was a coordinated effort by co-op staff to identify a collective vision to guide the utility’s future decisions. The action plan is ever-evolving, proactively responding to anticipated shifts in the electric industry, and ensures United Power maintains its competitive advantage as an industry leader in power supply innovation, system performance, and member satisfaction. 

It was the strategic direction provided in the Roadmap’s first iteration that helped United Power secure a diverse portfolio of power supply agreements to meet the cooperative’s needs as it grows over the next several years. These agreements have already reduced the cooperative’s greenhouse gas emissions by 26% since May. United Power’s commitment to reducing emissions was a driving factor in obtaining nearly $262 million through the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program to support its clean energy transition. The Roadmap was also pivotal in providing investor confidence to help finance the move toward independence, deploying an innovative battery energy storage system to mitigate peak costs, and breaking ground on a natural gas plant to ensure resource adequacy and flexibility. 

Five guiding principles were identified to help the cooperative define, implement, and evaluate the Roadmap’s focus areas:

• Safety. Prioritize safety in every decision and action. Safety is reflected in every aspect of United Power’s operations by fostering a culture of transparency, trust, and teamwork.
• Reliability. Striving to deliver high-quality, uninterrupted service to members through the design, operation, protection, and maintenance of a robust and resilient electric distribution system. 
• Affordability. Commitment to securing fair and competitive wholesale rates, managing costs, and responsibly allocating those costs across the membership with stable and transparent rate options.
• Flexibility. Demonstrate maximum agility and adaptiveness through forward-looking plans, versatile and innovative programs and business models, and diverse power supply options as the cooperative responds to changes in its environment and the needs of members and communities.
• Responsibility. Act ethically, sustainably, and in the best interest of members and communities as the cooperative manages operations and secures resources. 

The four strategic focus areas identified in the first version of the Roadmap remain relatively the same in the updated Roadmap, stretching across all the core functions of the cooperative, including power supply; system reliability and resiliency; data safety and security; and member programs and community engagement. 

Empower and Engage with Members and Communities

Electric cooperatives are owned by the members they serve, which means the members are not just consumers but stakeholders in the cooperative’s success. 

Members can vote for who represents them on the United Power Board of Directors through the annual Director Election, but the cooperative also gives back to the community in many ways.

United Power is a community partner, helping them establish their goals and visions. This includes understanding the unique needs and challenges of the communities and businesses the cooperative serves. The co-op supports the economic vitality of local communities through collaboration with local leaders and economic development organizations on growth initiatives and assists businesses with energy advice and expertise to help them meet legislative and regulatory targets. 

Provide Flexible, Affordable, Responsible Power and Services

As the needs of the distribution system have increased, so has the need for United Power to evolve and optimize the supply of power and services to its members.

Becoming an independent electric utility provided United Power with more flexibility over its power supply options. The cooperative added more than 110 MW of battery energy storage to its distribution system last year and broke ground on an innovative gas peaking plant for an additional 160 MW of resource adequacy. The cooperative continues to pursue cost efficient power supply contracts while limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

Continuously Optimize the Electric Distribution System

The optimization of the electric distribution system is paramount as the cooperative confronts increasing demands and complexities driven by rapid electrification, the integration of distributed energy resources, and the evolving expectation of members.

United Power has experienced consecutive years of record-breaking reliability, ranking among the best electric utilities in the country. The cooperative’s strategic maintenance plan and innovative system design continue to provide positive results and demonstrate remarkable success. 

Achieve and Maintain Business Agility and Resilience

Business agility and resilience are key investments of United Power’s strategic and operational plans. 

Advancing technologies play a critical role in how United Power responds to and prevents outages. The cooperative is working to replace its distributed energy resource management system by early 2026 to better manage system operations and plans to roll out new tools to better manage materials and projects. 

Our Cooperative Roadmap, along with news and updates about its implementation, can be found here.

Much is being written these days about increasing electric demand in the face of declining central power stations, such as coal plants, and how the electric industry will manage this coming onslaught. People are especially concerned that data centers, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), will cause major problems for the electric grid.

United Power has been blessed with growth for nearly 20 years, and that trend is continuing. One only has to drive around our service territory to see what that growth looks like. Last summer we set a new all-time peak of nearly 650 MW, and this past December we hit nearly 500 MW, making us the largest electric distribution cooperative by load in Colorado and the third largest utility after Xcel and Colorado Springs Utilities.

We added nearly 3,300 meters in 2024 and our monthly electric load has increased consistently. More than 7,600 electric vehicles are registered in our service territory. Whether it is the coming of the new BNSF Intermodal Center in Hudson/Lochbuie, expanding existing data centers, or new residential developments, your cooperative is keeping up.

Recently, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission adopted rules that require midstream gas suppliers reduce greenhouse gasses by 20.5% as compared to a 2015 baseline by 2030. This will require electrification of the oil the gas fields — a process United Power began several years ago. We are partnering with our oil and gas members to help them meet this mandate.

Our service territory is desirable and we regularly receive inquiries from developers and large loads known as hyperscalers (i.e., data centers). These facilities require large electric loads and heavy demand around the clock. The good news is partnering with them will provide additional backup capabilities, as well as allow us to purchase more power at lower costs for all members. Our Key Accounts Advisors are handling those requests and working closely with the engineering and power supply teams to ensure we can meet their energy demands. Millions of square feet of commercial and industrial space has also been added in just the past few years, especially along our interstate corridors.

While some utilities are turning down loads and wringing their hands over the increased demand, United Power believes it is critical to support our members where they are and when they need us. In order to do this, we follow the “LIT” process that involves closely working with potential loads as soon as practical. What does “LIT” involve?

• Location. Not every location is suitable to be supplied in a short period of time. Large loads that are moving into our service territory, such as data centers, are able to work with our team to locate areas where we can reasonably provide service within their timeframe. 
• Investment. Years ago, the United Power Board of Directors decided that “growth pays,” meaning any capital cost is born by the company or developer. This protects members from costs to add facilities — and yet helps lower other costs as we spread overhead across more members.
• Timing. Advanced planning is crucial to successfully adding infrastructure and we work closely with potential new members to get ahead of critical items such as ordering transformers, preparing the ground, and making sure we have capacity to handle the new load.

We are excited about this future and will continue to support all members, large and small. Anticipating and planning for electrification is at the heart of Our Cooperative Roadmap.

As always, feel free to reach out to me personally with any questions or comments.
 

85th Anniversary and Wholesale Power Contract Exit Highlight Co-op’s Year

United Power celebrated its 85th year of serving members along Colorado’s northern Front Range and the cooperative’s successful transition to an independent electric utility in 2024. The two historic milestones represented significant achievements for the cooperative, which has grown from its roots as a small rural utility serving a few hundred members on large farmlands to one of the fastest growing cooperatives in the country. 

Rapid residential growth and economic development throughout United Power’s service territory, along with rising wholesale power costs and limitations under its former power contract, required the cooperative to pursue more flexible and affordable power agreements to facilitate an anticipated surge in demand over the coming decade and beyond. Independence provides the freedom and flexibility necessary to meet these needs effectively and in the most financially beneficial way for the cooperative’s members.

Leadership is constantly surveying the horizon and proactively preparing for future shifts in the industry to assure its members that United Power is and will always be Here for Good. 

What is Here for Good? 

United Power has deployed groundbreaking innovation to manage peak power costs while curating an industry-leading power portfolio designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand generation resources close to home. The cooperative’s efforts prepare it for growing demand on its grid. Being Here for Good means taking coordinated steps to build a resilient system that provides safe and reliable power. It also means United Power will continue to be your electric provider now and into the future. 

Delivering uninterrupted power is the core of an electric utility. But being Here for Good means more to a cooperative. It also means supporting and empowering the communities it serves. United Power advocates for the educational goals of its local students, partners with local nonprofits, and even extends its support beyond the service territory to assist disadvantaged communities. It is just some of the many ways the cooperative remains Here for Good.

Innovating Power Supply on the Distribution System

United Power has long been an industry leader for innovative generation on its distribution system. New power supply agreements and strategic partnerships announced ahead of the co-op’s wholesale power contract exit last year gave members confidence it would continue delivering excellence in reliability and resiliency. Thanks to long-term planning and forecasting, the co-op secured a diverse generation mix of traditional energy assets, greenhouse gas reducing generation, and innovative projects to meet its members’ needs as the co-op grows.

The cooperative’s efforts to seek cleaner and more flexible power options were recognized in September when it was selected as a finalist to receive funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program. United Power is eligible to receive up to $261 million to offset 25% of the cost of seven power purchase agreements for renewable energy resources that will provide 760 MW to members by 2030.

Throughout the year, United Power also received grants to assist in the completion of two local microgrid projects. The Department of Energy awarded the cooperative up to $6.1 million toward a floating solar system connected to a battery storage system in Fort Lupton to power the city’s water treatment plant, replacing an aged diesel generator with clean and renewable energy. Another project to install a series of mini microgrid systems at rural fire protection facilities in Coal Creek, Dacono, Frederick, and Lochbuie received $700,000 from Colorado’s Department of Local Affairs. 

Construction on one of United Power’s newest innovative energy project was completed in July. The multi-location battery energy storage system (BESS) was announced in 2023 in partnership with Ameresco. The peak-mitigating asset charges when energy costs are low and discharges when costs are high, which not only reduces the cooperative’s energy demand but also helps manage wholesale energy costs. It is the largest BESS asset in Ameresco’s portfolio. A similar project in partnership with Whetstone Power was completed in December. Together, the batteries provide more than 110 MW of energy storage across nine locations throughout the cooperative’s service territory. 

Another resource that will be available soon is the Mountain Peak Power Plant in Keenesburg, which broke ground in September. The peaking unit is being built in partnership with Kindle Energy to add 162 MW of natural gas capacity to the system. The plant is located directly adjacent to a natural gas line, making the construction more economical. It also ensures greater flexibility when power costs are high and resource adequacy when renewable energy generation is low or in extreme weather conditions. 

United Power also has additional projects under construction and expected to come online soon, including a 150 MW solar farm power purchase agreement with NextEra. Watch the co-op’s website for more updates about innovative projects and partnerships. 

Participating in Local Communities

United Power is frequently visible around the community, most often due to the cooperative’s ongoing support for local fairs and festivals. However, being Here for Good extends to other ways it supports the local community and its members.

The cooperative has annually awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to local students pursuing postsecondary educational opportunities, but keeping the lights on is difficult work that requires highly skilled and trained professional lineworkers. Our crews receive years of on-the-job training following graduation from a line school program. That is why the cooperative introduced a new scholarship program to advance the profession. Four $7,500 scholarships were awarded in December.

Member Choice Grants allow members to nominate local nonprofits to receive funds that enable them to continue serving their communities and achieving their mission. The program was renewed for a fifth year, and six $2,000 grants were awarded based on nominations submitted in 2024.

Employees also gave back to local nonprofits in recognition of National Co-op Month in October. More than 80 employees volunteered for eight service projects located at nonprofits located throughout the service territory. Their participation was a visible demonstration of the co-op’s core principle of concern for the community, and a reminder that a spirit of service is important for thriving communities.

Occasionally, United Power’s support extends beyond its borders to help meet the needs of families in disadvantaged areas. This past year, lineworkers were dispatched to the Navajo Nation to provide power to those families for the first time. The cooperative provided additional supplies and equipment for projects in July and again in October.

As United Power looks ahead to its next 85 years, we want to remind members that the cooperative is Here for Good. That looks like planning for your future power needs and helping each of the communities we serve reach their full potential through our continued support for their vision. Your cooperative is Here for Good.