Brighton, Colo.—United Power has closed on the purchase of a 130,000 square foot facility located on the west side of the cooperative’s service territory to serve as the fourth location serving our members. The new facility is located on the east side of I-25, just south of Highway 119.

“The purchase of this building is a great step toward meeting some of United Power’s strategic goals,” said United Power CEO, Darryl Schriver. “As the territory becomes more populated, our ability to respond quickly and efficiently to our members is vital. This west office will allow us to dispatch trucks and personnel to the west and north sides of our territory quickly without the substantial drive time from the headquarters in Brighton.”

The new facility will help the cooperative free up space in the Brighton headquarters to have more room for training and storage. Plans are also in place to lease part of the west facility back to United Power’s primary contractor, Ward Electric. Ward Electric recently added United Power logos to their trucks to help members quickly identify cooperative contractors in the field.

“This facility is a win for the cooperative, for Ward Electric and for our members,” stated Schriver. “We’ve been able to negotiate a great financial deal on this purchase, in part because the seller appreciated the cooperative’s profile in the community and sees us a valuable resource. Now we’ll be able to better support the rapidly growing areas in our territory by having trucks and staff that can respond from both sides of our plains territory.”

United Power purchased the facility for $8.76 million and took possession on April 25th. United Power is also in negotiations to acquire an adjacent plot of undeveloped land. The additional property would allow for the addition of on-site material storage and expanded parking. The cooperative will be communicating updates about the new facility and how it will be used via the member newsletter United Newsline and on the website.

United Power Seeks Resolution on Behalf of Cooperative Membership

Brighton, CO – United Power has sent official notice to the Town of Frederick that they have breached their agreement with the cooperative, and have violated Colorado State Law by building into United Power’s service territory.  The cooperative is seeking a resolution within 15 days, or it will seek further action against the town.

“We originally attempted to make a good faith effort to resolve this illegal action by the Town of Frederick, but they have refused to address our concerns,” said Darryl Schriver, United Power CEO. “By building in United Power’s territory the Town violated not only state law, Frederick violated a prior agreement we have with them to supply wholesale power to the Town; we have no alternative but to seek an appropriate settlement on behalf of the entire cooperative membership.”

United Power and the Town of Frederick have a Wholesale Power Agreement, in effect from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2021, allowing the cooperative to provide power to the municipal utility serving approximately 2,000 customers. In the agreement the Town of Frederick promised to respect and honor United Power’s property interest, and that all facilities and customers outside of the Town’s “old town” boundaries are always United Power members. The fact that the Town of Frederick built in United Power’s territory to provide service to a facility located within the cooperative’s boundaries is a clear breach of the contract. Additionally, the Town of Frederick has violated a Colorado State Statute that defines the terms of any exchange of territory between municipal utilities and cooperatives.  The law was designed to make sure that cooperative members are fairly compensated for any loss of membership and revenue when there is an agreement to relinquish territory.

“It is important to note that this illegal action affects every member of our cooperative—individuals and companies who have a stake in this operation,” stated Schriver. “As a cooperative we are owned by our members, and this action is a threat to the interests of every home and business that receives power from the cooperative.”

United Power is in the process of closing a deal to purchase a 130,000 square foot facility located on the west side of the cooperative’s service territory. CEO Darryl Schriver made the announcement at the cooperative’s Annual Meeting at the Adams County Fairgrounds.  The new facility is located on the east side of I-25, just south of Highway 119.

“The purchase of this building is a great step toward meeting some of United Power’s strategic goals,” stated United Power CEO, Darryl Schriver. “As the territory becomes more populated, our ability to respond quickly and efficiently to our members is vital. This west office will allow us to dispatch trucks and personnel to the west and north sides of our territory quickly without the substantial drive time from the headquarters in Brighton.”

The final closing is planned for next week. The new facility will help the cooperative free up space in the Brighton headquarters to have more room for training and storage. Plans are also in place to lease part of the facility back to United Power’s primary contractor, Ward Electric. Ward Electric recently added United Power logos to their trucks to help members quickly identify cooperative contractors in the field.

“This facility is a win for the cooperative, for Ward Electric and for our members,” stated Schriver. “We’ve been able to negotiate a great financial deal on this purchase, in part because the seller appreciated the cooperative’s profile in the community and sees us a valuable resource. Now we’ll be able to better support the rapidly growing areas in our territory by having trucks and staff that can respond from both sides of our plains territory.”

United Power is also in negotiations to acquire an adjacent plot of undeveloped land. The additional property would allow for the addition of on-site material storage and expanded parking. The cooperative will be communicating updates about the new facility and how it will be used via the member newsletter United Newsline and on the website.