United Power introduced its new Member Choice Grants program earlier this year, asking members to nominate a nonprofit organization in its service territory they would like to see the cooperative help support.

Within the service territory, several of these organizations exist to provide for the needs of individuals and families and bring value to the communities they serve. These grant nominations allow United Power to provide support for causes and organizations members truly care about.

Nominations quickly began arriving, and it was clear members saw an immediate need to provide basic food supplies for their neighbors at this time. United Power is happy to announce the two organizations receiving the first $1,000 Member Choice Grants from the first round of nominations for 2020.

Carbon Valley Help Center

The Carbon Valley Help Center exists to help with the immediate needs of residents in their area, including food assistance and financial support. The grant will be used to help provide for the needs of its food pantry during the pandemic.

Fort Lupton Food & Clothing Bank

The mission of the Fort Lupton Food and Clothing Bank is to provide life sustaining food and clothing to people in need in and around the Fort Lupton community. Each year, the organization provides assistance to nearly 9,000 individuals.

Nominations are now open for the second round of Member Choice Grants, which will be announced in the next United Newsline. To submit a nomination, fill out a Member Choice Grant application and provide a brief reason why you feel the organization should receive the grant.

United Power proudly announces its scholarship recipients for 2020. 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.

United Power’s 2020 scholarship recipients will be announced during the cooperative’s Annual Meeting & Director Election on April 15 and recognized in its monthly newsletter to members. The 2020 scholarship recipients are:

•     Jade Glaister, Legacy High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
•     Wesley Swieter, Weld Central High School, United Power Colorado College Scholarship, $2,000
•     Madison Harper, Erie High School, United Power Youth Leadership Scholarship, $1,500
•     Skylar Tempel, Erie High School, Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship, $1,000
•     Calla Winner, Peak to Peak Charter, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Scholarship, $1,000
•     Elizabeth Dexter, Fort Lupton High School, Lois Lesser Education Scholarship, $1,000
•     Rylie James, Prospect Ridge Academy, 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 2020 were awarded to Brianna Diaz, Brighton High School; Angelica Fletcher, Prairie View High School; Megan Harrison, Eagle Ridge Academy; Michael Clementson, Frederick High School; Dina Zito, Ft. Lupton High School; Blake LaVanchy, Mead High School; Ivonne Olivas, Weld Central High School; Claire Diekman, Mountain Territory; Jeffrey Fitzjohn, Erie High School; and Claire Fisk, 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.

Article originally published on April 18, 2020. 

United Power is returning $5.5 million in Capital Credits to members beginning in May and nearly every member is getting a payment. Due to the unique economic stresses being placed on our members because of the COVID 19 situation, United Power’s Board of Directors has opted to distribute Capital Credit refunds earlier than in prior years. In past years the retirements were made in August, but the United Power Board felt members could use the economic relief now.

“We know that many of our members have been impacted by this health emergency – through cuts in pay, job losses, or increased health costs,” said Bryant Robbins, Chief Executive Officer. “This retirement will provide money back to nearly all our members when they need it most.”

In 2020, United Power is retiring $5.5 million to members. The total amount of money retired is divided among all members and is being issued in May. Additionally, while these payments have typically been issued as checks, more refunds will be applied to bills in order to reduce the need for our members to go to a bank during this health emergency. Members receiving a retirement of $50 or less, will see a bill credit directly on their May electric bill. Those receiving larger retirement amounts will receive a check.

Capital credits represent ownership in United Power and are one of the most unique and rewarding benefits afforded to members of electric cooperatives. Unlike investor-owned utilities that maximize profits to pay dividends to shareholders, not-for-profit electric co-ops like United Power provide our members with “at cost” electric service—we do not exist to earn a profit. At the end of each year, after all operational expenses have been covered, a portion of any excess funds is returned to the members in the form of capital credits. Learn more about capital credits, or if you have additional questions please call our Member Services team at 303-637-1300.

In addition to the advancement of Capital Credit refunds, the cooperative has temporarily suspended disconnections and is providing payment arrangements for members who have been directly impacted by COVID 19. The Board of Directors has also established the Co-op Cares fund allocating $250,000 in unclaimed capital credits to provide direct assistance to members facing hardships due to the pandemic.

Any members who may have troubles paying their electric bills are encouraged to call United Power at 303-637-1300 and our Member Services team will match them with all of the available resources and assistance options. 

For your safety, and ours, please maintain a safe distance from our crews. They're on the front line keeping the lights on and we'd appreciate your help keeping them safe and healthy. Approaching lineworkers can compromise their health during this pandemic and it also distracts them while they are performing critical work.

Recently, more members have been approaching our crews while they continue to work to keep the electric grid maintained and powered. We realize this may be a stressful time, and more of our members are home to observe this work near their property. But please keep in mind that the health and safety of these essential workers is paramount to keeping your power flowing. 

To protect our essential workers, we have closed our offices to walk-in traffic and dispersed our office personnel to remote work stations. We have temporarily suspended any in-home visits like energy audits, and our crews should not need access to the inside of your homes to complete their work. Field crews are wearing masks made of the same fire-resistant material as their uniform shirts, and our crews will maintain a safe distance from our members while working near your property. 

Please also keep in mind that the electric system serving you delivers high-voltage electricity and our trained linemen can often be working on or near energized electrical equipment. To keep you safe from electrical dangers, and to protect the health of our vital field crews, please keep a safe distance from equipment and anyone working in the area.

We are happy to answer your questions about work being completed, so instead of approaching crews, please call our office at 303-637-1300. We're here at a safe distance with the same commitment to power what matters to you. 

United Power Holds First-Ever Virtual Annual Meeting Amid COVID-19 Concerns

2020 Virtual Annual Meeting Videos & Content

Brighton, CO – In response to growing concerns over the rapid spread of COVID-19 and for the health and safety of its members, United Power offered an alternate option to its traditional Annual Meeting format this year. The result was the co-op’s first-ever virtual “telephone town hall” style Annual Meeting held April 15, 2020.

The Annual Meeting, which had been previously scheduled at the Riverdale Regional Park, had a record participation of 569 members who pre-registered for the over-the-phone event. The virtual format offered United Power an optimal platform to educate members about the co-op’s activity over the past year and thank them for their hand in its success.

Since an in-person meeting could not be hosted, voting in this year’s director election was conducted via mail-in ballot only. Incumbents in United Power’s South and West Districts each won reelection in contested races. David E. Rose, South District, received 2,335 votes to retain his seat on the board. Stan Martin also received 1,833 votes in the South District. Greg Campbell and Phil Noble received 1,244 and 926 votes, respectively. In the West District, Virginia “Ginny” A. Buczek retained her seat after receiving 4,499 votes. James P. Menghi received 1,774 votes. Tamra K. Waltemath, Mountain District, and James Vigesaa, East District, who ran unopposed in this year’s election, received 5,770 and 5,741 votes.

The cooperative focused on innovations and improvements this past year that centered on driving member satisfaction through increased reliability and pursuing more affordable power. Upgrades to the cooperative’s system, including the installation of an industry-leading “smart grid,” reduced outage times and placed the cooperative among the top 10 percent of utilities nationwide in reliability. Meanwhile, the cooperative has made headlines for ongoing negotiations with its wholesale power provider, Tri State Generation & Transmission, that would allow it to pursue more affordable energy options.

“One of our biggest challenges is the affordability of our power supply,” said United Power Board Chairman James Vigesaa. “We’re trying to obtain the most affordable power for our members by looking at all our options, including our wholesale power costs and what other opportunities exist to offer a better value to our members.”

One project that did highlight another strong year for the cooperative was staffing the Carbon Valley Service Center, located just off I-25 near Firestone in the western part of its service territory. Crews began the transition over to the new facility in early 2019 and were quickly able to prove the facility’s worth during March’s bomb cyclone weather event.

“We’ve got what I consider a world-class dispatch center over there,” said Chief Executive Officer Bryant Robbins. “If we hadn’t had those things in place, the members we got back on in two hours might have taken three days.”

Even in this time of uncertainty, United Power continues to put its members first, looking for the best way to provide the same reliable power its members have come to expect.

“The most important thing to all of us, board members and employees, is that our focus needs to be on that member out there at the end of the line,” said Vigesaa. “Everything we do needs to enhance the safety, affordability and reliability for that member.”

United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative delivering electricity to nearly 95,000 meters at homes, business, and farms in Colorado's north central front range. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media at facebook.com/unitedpower or twitter.com/unitedpowercoop.

###

Article originally published on April 10, 2020

United Power Board of Directors Allocates $250,000 to Co-op Cares Fund to Support Members Economically Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic

Brighton, CO – United Power’s Board of Directors approved a special allocation of $250,000 in unclaimed capital credits to be used to help offset electric bills for members impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Co-op Cares Fund is designed to assist members who have been directly impacted by COVID-19 – particularly those who have been affected by illness and job losses.

United Power knows that many families have been impacted by this ongoing situation and we are working hard to support the membership. United Power, like many other utilities in Colorado, temporarily suspended disconnects and late fees on all residential and small commercial accounts during this health emergency. [Disconnections for non-payment resumed in July]

“The Co-op Cares Fund complements the many other ways United Power is helping our members weather this situation,” stated Bryant Robbins, CEO. “As a member-owned cooperative, we are always looking for ways to support our members during tough times, and this situation has impacted our members in so many diverse ways.”

While no residential or small-commercial utility services were disconnected from March through June, United Power members are still expected to pay their bill when they are able. In addition to the Co-op Cares Fund, United Power has various programs to help members keep their accounts current including extended payment arrangements, budget billing and other assistance programs. The current temporary suspension of disconnects merely postpones an eventual utility shut off once the suspension is lifted. United Power encourages members to contact us before that happens so we can connect you with the best programs for your needs.

“United Power has several ways to help with members when they are having difficulty paying their electric bills,” stated Robbins. “All we are asking our members to do is pick up the phone and call us if you are having difficulty paying your bill. We can’t help you if we don’t know you are struggling.”

The Co-op Cares Fund will be available for assistance through the end of 2020, or when the fund is depleted. United Power members who are impacted by the current health emergency or any other situation can apply for the Co-op Cares Fund, login to your online account and complete an application.

The application can be found under Contact Us > Report an Issue/Inquiry > Submit Other Issue > Inquiry Type: Application – Coop Cares Fund.

Billing Assistance

United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative delivering electricity to nearly 95,000 meters at homes, business, and farms in Colorado's north central front range. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media at facebook.com/unitedpower or twitter.com/unitedpowercoop.

###