Colorado Public Utilities Commission (the “Commission”), represented by Administrative Law Judge Robert Garvey, ruled in favor of United Power in the electric cooperative’s effort to establish a “fair, just and reasonable” buyout number from their power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission. The action in front of the Commission was brought late last year and today’s decision helps to establish a methodology for calculating just and non-discriminatory terms for United Power to withdraw as a member of Tri-State.

“United Power has continued to pursue this action on behalf of our members,” stated Bryant Robbins, acting CEO. “It’s our goal to provide reliable power to every family and business we serve, and to provide that power at a cost that makes sense. We carefully considered our obligations to Tri-State and developed what we believed was a fair exit cost. Should this exit charge be affirmed by the Commission, it will be up to our Board of Directors to decide if this is in the best interest of our membership.”

For nearly two years, United Power sought a fair “exit charge” from Tri-State. During the hearing, United Power presented a methodology based on their proportionate share of Tri-State’s debt which produced an exit charge of approximately $235 million, comparable to payments made by other cooperatives who have exited Tri-State. Instead of working toward a reasonable exit charge, Tri-State tried to block United Power from leaving by proposing to charge it $1.25 billion, a discriminatory amount that would have resulted in an unfair windfall to Tri-State’s remaining members.

“Access to today’s energy marketplace requires a utility to be nimble and responsive to both the energy mix and the cost to the members at the end of the line,” stated Dean Hubbuck, Chief Energy Resource Officer. “This is a momentous decision in United Power’s effort to have more control over our power mix while keeping costs down.”
“We are hopeful that the Commission affirms this decision and, while we are elated, we recognize this is just the next step in a long process,” stated Robbins. “On behalf of United Power and our Board of Directors, I want to thank Judge Garvey and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission staff for their diligence and efforts in considering this matter. We appreciate their willingness to lend their expertise and oversight to this critical matter.”
 

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The past few months have been unprecedented in the history of the cooperative and the history of our country. As the coronavirus pandemic slowly began spreading across the country, United Power quickly realized its potential economic impact on members and suspended disconnections for nonpayment earlier than many other state utility providers.

Since the start of the pandemic, United Power has worked to support families and businesses throughout the communities it serves. Suspending disconnections due to nonpayment was among the many steps the cooperative took to reduce stress on members and provide some certainty during an uncertain time. 

Much of the state has begun a slow phase-in of various services as it enters a period of recovery. United Power has also started making plans to resume normal business functions. On July 1, the cooperative will resume disconnections for accounts with past due balances. 

Cooperatives like United Power are not-for-profit and have no shareholders, routinely returning excess revenues to members. This structure, and the desire to keep energy costs low, means co-ops have limited reserve margins to sustain high rates of nonpayment. 

As Colorado slowly phases in general business activities, we understand some members may continue having trouble paying electric bills on time. United Power wants to help its members avoid any interruption in service. If you have missed payments and a past-due balance, please contact us to discuss payment options and energy management plans. If you’re still unable to pay your bill, please contact a Member Services Representative at 303-637-1300 as soon as possible to discuss your options. 

Payment Assistance
 

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Power Operation Round-Up Foundation has responded to the needs of many nonprofits in the cooperative’s service territory. With many individuals and families economically impacted due to workplace shutdowns, the board has given above and beyond its normal contributions to area food banks to help meet the needs of those impacted in various corners of the territory.

The Operation Round-Up board recently announced a $3,000 donation to Pastor’s Pantry, which operates out of Whispering Pines Church in the Coal Creek Canyon. Founded in 2001, Pastor’s Pantry is an available resource for anyone in need in the canyon, and provides both food and essential items, such as toiletries and paper products.

While the food bank has remained open, donations from food sources decreased as a result of diminishing overstock at places like King Soopers. The Round-Up donation will be used to restock shelves with essential items.

Pastor’s Pantry is open every Thursday from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. or by appointment for emergency needs. Individual donations are also being accepted via a donation box outside the church, 73 Gross Dam Road.

In May, the foundation committed $20,000 to food banks in the cooperative’s territory.

Operation Round-Up is funded by members who voluntarily elect to have their bills rounded up to the next whole dollar, on average just $6 per year. Members may enroll in the program by going to www.unitedpower.com/round-up

Summer is here, and you can practically smell the freshly-cut grass. If you’re in the market to upgrade your lawn care equipment, you may want to consider electric (or battery-powered) options.

Gas-powered lawn mowers and trimmers may be your go-to, but times they are a changin'. Electric lawn care equipment options are becoming more popular than ever, offering consumers faster charging times, longer battery life and quieter, greener products compared to their gas-powered counterparts. Here are three ways you can electrify your lawn care this spring. 

Electric Lawn Mowers

Electric lawnmowers have come a long way over the last few years. Early models required corded connections, which were tricky to manage––but the cord has been cut. Newer cordless electric mowers are certainly more expensive than gas-powered mowers, but much of the upfront cost can be recovered since electricity is a less expensive fuel than gas, and electric engines generally require less maintenance than gas engines. Cordless electric mowers typically range from $200 to $500.

Electric mowers are suitable for most lawn care needs, with batteries that typically require about one to two hours to fully charge, and most batteries can run for a full hour. That said, if you have a large yard (half an acre or larger), a gas-powered option may be best to suit your needs.

Electric Trimmers

Cordless electric string trimmers are a great option for most lawns. Traditionally, like lawnmowers, string trimmers have typically been powered by gas. But new versions of electric trimmers are improving and are now considered worthy competitors of gas-powered models.

Cordless electric trimmers are much quieter and easier to use, but most batteries last about 30 to 45 minutes. So, if you have a lot of space to trim, you may want to consider a back-up battery or plan to work in short bursts. If you’re interested in purchasing an electric trimmer, the main factors to consider are the battery’s life, charge time, and power. Costs can vary depending on your needs, but you can find a quality version for about $100.

Electric Leaf Blowers

After cutting and trimming your lawn, you’ll need to clear off those walkways and patios for the finishing touch. If you don’t want to deal with the maintenance of a gas-powered blower or the restraints of a corded blower, a cordless electric version is a great option. 

Cordless electric leaf blowers are lightweight and easy to maneuver, but they don’t offer quite as much power as gas-powered and corded blowers. If your leaf blowing and clearing needs are minimal, a cordless electric leaf blower can get the job done. Costs for a cordless electric blower vary depending on power and battery quality, but you can purchase a dependable model for about $150 and up.

If you’re looking to electrify your lawn care equipment, be sure to do your homework. Search online for the latest reviews, and check trusted sources like Consumer Reports. With a little research, you’ll be well on your way to Lawn of the Month – with less maintenance, hassle, and noise (and your neighbors will thank you!).

BRIGHTON – United Power’s Operation Round-Up Foundation will donate a total of $20,000 to large food banks that provide food to members throughout the United Power service territory. The board of directors selected Food Bank of the Rockies and the Weld County Food Bank to receive grants of $10,000 each to offset their growing costs during the COVID-19 situation.

“On behalf of the entire Round-Up board of directors, we are very pleased to be able to provide these generous grants to these two organizations,” stated Dale McCall, United Power Operation Round-Up President. “This support, coupled with our ongoing support of our partner organizations, provides direct relief to members of United Power who are being impacted by either health or economic concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In addition to this one-time grant, the organization has been providing on-going support to several groups that provide essential services to community members over the last three years. Almost Home in Brighton, Catholic Charities in Ft. Lupton, the Carbon Valley Help Center in Firestone, and Canyon Cares in the Coal Creek Canyon area receive quarterly grants to provide assistance to United Power members who may need help paying utility, rent, and other critical expenses.

The Round-Up board is charged with the oversight and distribution of funds collected from members who support the foundation. The foundation is funded by members who “round-up” their bills to the next full dollar amount. The average donation is 50¢ per month, but those pennies add up to really make a substantial impact in United Power’s service territory. Since the foundation was established it has funneled more than $2.5 million back into the community to fund programs that support United Power members. To learn more about United Power’s Operation Round-Up Foundation, visit our website at www.unitedpower.com, or call us at 303-637-1300.

About United Power and the Operation Round-Up Foundation

United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative delivering electricity to more than 95,000 meters at homes, businesses and farms in Colorado's north-central front range. The United Power Operation Round-Up Foundation, funded by United Power members, supports the needs of cooperative members through grants to local organizations providing critical services. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media at facebook.com/unitedpower or twitter.com/unitedpowercoop.

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