Co-op Expects to Reach 100,000 Meter Milestone Before End of Summer

United Power recently topped 99,000 meter connections thanks to record-setting growth in April. The cooperative connected more than 550 new meters throughout the month, accelerating its path toward 100,000 meters. Leadership within the cooperative now project reaching that number before the end of the summer.

“If growth continues at the rate we have experienced so far this year, we are in tremendous shape to reach 100,000 meters very soon,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Reaching the mark is a significant achievement for the cooperative.”

There are more than 800 electric cooperatives nationally. United Power would become just the 31st co-op to reach the 100,000 meter milestone. It would also join Intermountain REA as the only other Colorado co-op to reach the milestone.

Year over year, United Power has ranked among the fastest growing cooperatives nationwide, due to consistent development in the area it serves, which includes several fast-growing suburban communities. Growth continued even as United Power braced for a slow down amid the pandemic. Instead, another strong year enabled United Power to keep rates the same as it entered 2021.

United Power is planning a special member celebration for surpassing 100,000 meters later this summer. Watch our social media for updates about upcoming events and contests.

“I am grateful to arrive in time to recognize and celebrate this accomplishment with the cooperative,” said Gabriel. “We cannot wait to celebrate it with our members, too.”

Brighton, CO – United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2021. Each year, the cooperative awards more than $19,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in its service territory. The United Power Scholarship Committee selected seventeen high school seniors based on grades, test scores, extracurricular activities and a brief essay. Applications are made available at the end of each year.

More information about United Power’s 2021 scholarship recipients can be found in the co-op’s monthly newsletter to members. The 2021 scholarship recipients are:

• Sejal Goud, Standley Lake High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Lucas Stanford, Prairie View High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
• Elena Marraudino, Prairie View High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500
• Alexander Juenemann, Erie High School, Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship, $1,000
• Dominic Gittlein, Frederick High School, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarship, $1,000
• Ashley Settergren, Brighton High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
• Emily Pira, Prairie View High School, Bill Berens Memorial Scholarship, $1,000

United Power dedicates a book scholarship to each high school within its service territory, provided it receives an application. This year, United Power distributed ten $1,000 book scholarships, including one “at-large” selection. Book scholarships for 2021 were awarded to:

• Claire Asmussen, Brighton High School
• Morgan Barba, Prairie View High School
• Walker Bargmann, Eagle Ridge Academy
• MacKenzie Umberger, Frederick High School
• Gabriela Tijerina, Ft. Lupton High School
• Jacob Choksey, Mead High School
• Brooke Dowdy, Weld Central High School
• Nolan Lindberg, Mountain Territory
• Isabelle Bieber, Erie High School
• Audrey Thompson, at-large selection

Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients and thank you to all the students who submitted their application. United Power is committed to supporting the postsecondary education efforts of students it serves.

United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. As one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, the utility will join the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters by the end of this summer. 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. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

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Charger Station Part of Co-op's Growing EV Charging Network

Brighton, CO – United Power announced Tuesday its second electric vehicle charging station is now operational and available for public use. The new charging station is located at the Market Street Mart in Keenesburg, filling a gap in available charging options for rural electric vehicle owners and drivers between Brighton and Fort Morgan. Both cooperative charging stations are available on the ChargePoint network.

“United Power has made a commitment to providing innovative technologies that are beneficial for members,” said Energy Programs Director Joel Danforth. “This installation not only helps us continue to fulfill that commitment but also keep pace with the emerging trend toward electric vehicles.”

The Keenesburg charging station is a 62.5 kW direct current (DC) fast charger available for anyone who has set up a ChargePoint account. Anyone can set up a ChargePoint account using the mobile app or an activation card available through the mail. The charging station was installed with the help of a grant from the Colorado Energy Office’s Charge Ahead Colorado program.

United Power has invested in several educational resources for members interested in electric vehicles. The cooperative launched its Choose EV web portal in June, providing a wealth of information about both electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. It also hosted a live webinar for National Drive EV Week to provide additional education and alleviate common concerns and hesitations about purchasing an electric vehicle.

The cooperative installed its first charging station at its Coal Creek office in 2019. United Power leadership continues to look at the electric vehicle landscape and consider programs that will offer the best benefit for members, including additional charging locations in its growing network.

“We have made a consistent effort to invest in electric vehicle resources for members over the past couple years,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our goal is to provide the right opportunities and the right programs that make electric vehicles practical and accessible for more of our members, especially those who live in rural communities.”

United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. As one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, the utility will join the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters by the end of this summer. 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. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

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