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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Now that COVID vaccinations are widely available and restrictions are lifting, United Power is phasing in a return to standard operating and billing procedures. Beginning on May 18th, late fees and reconnect fees, which were temporarily waived during the height of the COVID shutdowns, will be reinstated. On June 1st, select teams of United Power employees will return to the office, and United Power will open its Brighton lobby to walk-in visitors and for in-person payments.

United Power was one of the first Colorado utilities to pause disconnections for non-payment and waive late fees and disconnect fees when the initial pandemic stay-at-home orders were issued. Disconnections for non-payment resumed in July 2020, and on May 18th, late fees for payments not received by the due date and reconnection fees to restore electric service will resume. United Power offers several ways to avoid fees, including payment arrangements, enrolling in Pay As You Go pre-paid electric service, and applying for Co-op Cares Funds. The cooperative allocated $550,000 in relief funds to help members financially impacted by COVID. Any member struggling to make their payments in full or on time is encouraged to call United Power to access resources for assistance.

“We want to help our members avoid additional fees and disconnections, but they need to reach out to us before they are past due on their payments,” said Francis Ashu, United Power Director of Member Services. “Through our Co-op Cares fund, we have been able to help almost two thousand members financially impacted by COVID, and there are still funds available for members who are facing hardships.”

On June 1st, United Power’s Brighton Headquarters lobby at 500 Cooperative Way will re-open. While we will continue providing a suite of remote options to assist members, our Representatives will be available to assist members in person during regular business hours of Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Masks and social distancing will be required for all visitors and employees as directed by local health code mandates. The Carbon Valley and Coal Creek offices remain closed to visitors. Payment kiosks accept cash, check, and card payments and are available at all United Power offices and the Bank of Colorado Operations Center in Ft Lupton.

“Our dedicated employees are anxious to see our members and interact with them in person again. We are glad that a safe return to normal operations is possible,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President, and Chief Executive Officer. “United Power has taken every precaution to protect employees from being affected by COVID. With one office re-opening, we will continue to adhere to health department guidelines in the office, and some teams will continue to work remotely. To further protect our employees and ensure they are here to serve our members, we are offering an on-site vaccine clinic for employees and family members.”