2018 D.C. Youth Tour Delegates

United Power selected three local students to represent the cooperative at this year’s Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington D.C in June. Hannah Rockwell of Brighton, Megan Lewis from Firestone and Jordyn Saffy of Brighton were selected based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, volunteer efforts and a brief essay.

Local electric cooperatives throughout the country sponsor approximately 1,500 ambitious high school students from small towns and cities for an incredible week in the nation’s capital with the objective of providing an educational experience for young people on the organization and operation of a cooperative. Cooperatives are committed to educating America’s rural youth about the country and the role electric cooperatives play in developing strong rural communities. 

Hannah Rockwell is a student at Weld Central High School where she is an athlete in cross country and track. She is a member of the National Honor Society and president of her school’s Future Business Leaders of America Club. Hannah loves school and her future plans include pursuing a career in medicine. 

Megan Lewis attends Frederick High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society and the Student Advisory Committee. Megan is active in musicals/plays at her school, and is on both the varsity cross country and tennis teams. Her future plans include college and medical school. 

Jordyn Saffy attends high school at Eagle Ridge Academy. Jordan is captain of the volleyball team, president of the spirit team and participates in track and field. Her future plans include a degree in health sciences, which she intends to use to help those in need.

2018 Youth Leadership Camp Winners

United Power has also selected Brooklyn Stubby of Mapleton Early College in Commerce City and Catera Gagna of Brighton to represent the cooperative at the 2018 Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp in Steamboat Springs, Colorado this July. The camp is offered to high school juniors and seniors in the United Power service area. Interested students are asked to apply, and winners are selected based on academic performance, extracurriculr activities and volunteer efforts. 

The primary objective of the camp is to provide an educational experience for youth on the organization and operation of a cooperative. The camp strives to help develop leadership skills that will assist students with challenges they will face in the future.

Brooklyn Stubby attends Mapleton Early College and is active in student council, swimming and student mentoring. Brooklyn is keeping her options open, but is considering physical therapy, detective work or personal training/nutrition. 

Catera Gagna is a student at Brighton High School and plays softball. She is a member of the principal’s honor roll, student government and volunteers at a local elementary school. Catera plans to attend college and pursue a career in engineering.

Brighton, CO — For the first time since 2005, the four incumbents in United Power’s upcoming director election will run unopposed. Due to the lack of challengers, the board of directors has decided to conduct a simplified, cost-saving balloting process this year.

In previous elections, ballots were mailed to members who could then submit their votes via return mail; however, ballots this year will be cast in person at the Annual Meeting and Director Election on April 18 at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Brighton, 9755 Henderson Road. 

During registration, members in attendance at the annual meeting will receive a ballot and be able to cast their votes for candidates in each of the director seats up for election. Although directors run in geographic districts in order to accurately represent United Power members, they are elected at-large, meaning members are able to cast a vote in each district.

The candidates for director are Susan Petrocco in the South District, Tim Erickson in the East District, Brian A. McCormick in the West District and Rick Newman in the Mountain District.

Members are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting not only to cast their vote in this year’s director election, but also to engage with the cooperative’s leadership and learn about ways United Power is implementing innovative processes to provide the most reliable power across its service area. 

This year’s Annual Meeting includes a free barbecue dinner, live music and a presentation from United Power’s CEO, John Parker. Following the conclusion of the meeting, members are eligible to win one of many available door prizes, including a Kitchen Aid mixer, Keurig and more. 

Member registration opens at 4:30 p.m., and the official business meeting begins at approximately 6:30 p.m. Election results will be announced at the conclusion of the business meeting. For more information about this year’s meeting, including candidate profiles, dinner menu and a list of door prizes, go to www.unitedpower.com/annualmeeting.

It’s time for United Power’s Annual Meeting, and all members are invited to attend. As a member, you aren’t just a customer receiving electricity from a utility, you’re an owner of a not-for-profit organization – and you have a say in the operation. During the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 you can connect with your cooperative, enjoy the company of your fellow cooperative members and have the chance to win one of several door prizes. The 2018 Annual Meeting will be held at the Adams County Fairgrounds/Regional Park located at 9755 Henderson Road, Brighton, CO 80601. 

The Director Election will be conducted differently this year. Only the four incumbent directors whose seats were up for election this year have submitted petitions indicating their interest in retaining their positions for another term. Due to the lack of challengers for these positions, the United Power Board made a decision to cancel the distribution of mail ballots, and will instead hold balloting among those members in attendance at the annual meeting. This simplified process will result in a substantial cost savings for the membership. 

Member registration will be open from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and those who register for the meeting will be issued a ballot and be able to cast their votes for the Director election. After members have cast their ballot, they can enjoy a barbecue dinner with us, visit the educational exhibit booths and be entertained by musician Dave Connelly.

The official business meeting of the members will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will include reports from the President of the Board and the Board Treasurer, and a cooperative update from Chief Executive Officer John Parker. Election results will be announced prior to adjournment and door prize drawings will conclude the meeting. To learn more about the Annual Meeting, or the candidates running for a seat on the cooperative’s board of directors, keep reading this issue, or visit www.unitedpower.com.

When severe weather hits, there’s one group United Power and its members rely on to keep the power on. On April 18th, we will join in celebrating National Lineman Appreciation Day, honoring the hard work, innovation and dedication of America’s electrical lineworkers. 

Linemen must be prepared to face daily situations that may be less than ideal, regularly tasked with resolving intricate and hazardous problems in unknown or perilous conditions. It requires a strong commitment to one another and doing dangerous work, knowing the fruits of their labor are often misunderstood or unrecognized. 

In the line of duty, the smallest mistake could be the difference between life and death. When our linemen lace up their boots, they understand the dedication they must have to safely complete their work in the quickest possible way. 

“Electric linemen are the backbone of what we do,” said Bryant Robbins, United Power Chief Operations Officer. “They go above and beyond on a daily basis, often in hazardous conditions far from their families, to restore power to their communities.”

Our linemen are on call 24 hours a day, ready to respond to any situation in any type of weather. So next time you lose power, rest assured a highly trained United Power crew is on the way, dedicated to getting the lights back on quickly and safely. 

“When the power is off, that’s when we’re at our best and it’s our time to shine,” said Mark Keith, United Power foreman. “We get out there no matter the weather, and get to work figuring out how to solve the problem.”

Regularly facing difficult situations, it’s no surprise electrical lineworkers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. In 2017, electrical powerline installers and repairers were noted to have the 15th most dangerous profession. 

Without our linemen, the power that makes our member’s homes comfortable wouldn’t be possible. We invite our members to take a moment to thank our United Power linemen for the work they do. Use #ThankALineman on social media to show your support, or take a moment to drop a kind note in the mail. 
 

UPDATED FEBRUARY 21, 2018

OFFICIAL POSTING OF NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTOR BY PETITION

The following persons have been nominated by petition to run for Director of United Power, Inc., in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of Members scheduled April 18, 2018.  Districts E (East), S (South), W (West), and M (Mountain) are all up for three-year terms.

District E (East)
Tim Erickson

District S (South)
Bradley Joseph Case – WITHDRAWN
Susan Petrocco

District W (West)
Brian Anthony McCormick

District M (Mtn)
Richard Earnest Newman

This notice is posted pursuant to Section 4.06 of the Bylaws of United Power, Inc.

Re-Posted:    2-21-18    Headquarters Office

                                       Coal Creek Office 

                                       Ft. Lupton Office 

                                       Member Website

OFFICIAL POSTING OF NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTOR BY PETITION

The following persons have been nominated by petition to run for Director of United Power, Inc., in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of Members scheduled April 18, 2018.  Districts E (East), S (South), W (West), and M (Mountain) are all up for three-year terms.

District E (East)             Tim Erickson

District S (South)           Bradley Joseph Case
Susan Petrocco

District W (West)           Brian Anthony McCormick

District M (Mtn)              Richard Earnest Newman

This notice is posted pursuant to Section 4.06 of the Bylaws of United Power, Inc.

Posted:    2-16-18        Headquarters Office

                                      Coal Creek Office 

                                      Ft. Lupton Office 

                                      Member Website

Greater Visibility for Increased Safety

While you’re out and about you may soon notice a new look on United Power’s trucks. Here at United Power, we think a lot about the safety of our employees, and of our members. We are always looking for ways to keep our employees safer in the field and on the job. One of our initiatives to increase safety is better visibility—both for our employees and our vehicles.

For our field employees, we recently traded in our blue uniform shirts for more highly visible yellow shirts with reflective stripes. For our trucks, you’ll soon see a bigger, bolder look making them more visible out on the road.

The new design includes a larger and more prominent United Power logo, so members can more clearly see us when we are working in their communities, or on their property. Incorporated into the design is a reflective vinyl material which will help make our trucks more visible. This will help to protect our workers who often are called out to work at night and during storms where visibility conditions are poor. We want you to know when you’re working with United Power and to know when we’re in your community—and we want to ensure the safety of our employees who are working hard for you