Title
Thank A Lineman
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Newsletter/Linemen.jpg?itok=HwbcEaW0
Friday | March 20, 2020
Card Teaser
On April 18th, we will join in celebrating National Lineman Appreciation Day, honoring the hard work, innovation and dedication of America’s electrical lineworkers.
United Power is dedicated to keeping our members’ lights on. That wouldn’t be possible without the help of our skilled linemen, who work each day behind the scenes to improve our system and prevent outages before they happen. 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.
During the past year, our linemen have had to help restore power to members following severe hail storms and high winds, which caught many off guard. When severe weather hits our service territory, our linemen are ready to assess the situation and begin the process of restoring power. When the skies are clear and the wind is calm, our linemen are monitoring our system and making improvements to prevent outages where possible.
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.
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.
United Power
Thank A Lineman
500 Cooperative Way
Brighton, CO 80603
Title
The Birth of a Cooperative
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Jan2019_NL_BirthCooperative.png?itok=m6DZoKJN
Thursday | January 3, 2019
Card Teaser
This is the first in a three part series chronicling the cooperative’s history leading up to its 80th Annual Meeting this April.
Today, United Power enjoys a seat as one of the most progressive cooperatives across the country. Over the past 80 years, United Power has reached milestones few other cooperatives have, but not without first overcoming a few seasons of turbulence. This is the first in a three part series chronicling the cooperative’s history leading up to its 80th Annual Meeting this April.
In June 1938, shortly after Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Rural Electric Administration, a group of local farmers in the counties northeast of Denver met to discuss the possibility of forming a cooperative to meet their needs. In October of that year, Union Rural Electric Association was born. The cooperative began construction on lines that would first serve members in late January of 1940.
Though the outbreak of WWII paused development, growth continued through the 1950s. During that time, Union REA entered a competitive territory battle with the state’s largest public utility, Public Service Company of Colorado (now Xcel Energy), which had begun to see the areas lucrative potential. The battle over service territory would continue throughout the 1980s.
Legislation passed in 1961 finally recognized Union REA, and all other utilities in the state, as full-fledged public utilities with the right to serve certified territories, temporarily halting PSCo’s encroachment on the cooperative’s territory. However, Union REA agreed to allow PSCo to serve some of the fastest growing towns in its territory following a negotiation in 1964.
In the 1970s, PSCo broke faith with the cooperative as growth exploded in the area during that time. The public utility began aggressively claiming territory beyond what Union REA felt was outlined in the agreement. During that time, Union lost nearly 2000 accounts, and many more were considered “at-risk.” In 1987, the Public Utilities Commission declared the agreement invalid in favor of the cooperative, triggering PSCo to initiate a takeover attempt later that year.
Now more than 10,000 members strong, the cooperative’s healthy growth, combined with the proximity to the Denver metro area, made Union an attractive takeover target. PSCo offered to buy out the cooperative for $62.5 million and compensate members with a $500 cash payout to replace lost capital credits. Union REA leadership felt the offer was disingenuous, and communicated directly with membership until a vote on Saturday, August 22, 1987. Union members ultimately voted against the takeover, placing their faith in the promise of the cooperative future.
Title
The Cooperative Principles
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Principles_1320x860.jpg?h=45932144&itok=ewoHuXBV
Saturday | January 31, 2026
Card Teaser
Understanding the seven principles that guide United Power and other cooperatives.
Understanding the Seven Principles that Guide United Power and Other Cooperatives
All cooperatives operate according to the same seven principles. These principles articulate the reasons cooperatives exist, which is for the good of their members, their communities, and one another.
1. Open & Voluntary MembershipMembership in a co-op is open to all people who can reasonably use its services and are willing to accept the responsibilities of membership.
United Power members include anyone who receives power on its lines within its defined service territory.
2. Democratic Member ControlCo-ops are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.
United Power members elect the co-op’s 11-person Board of Directors. Directors serve four year terms and are elected at the Annual Meeting held in April. The Board is the policy making arm of the cooperative and acts on behalf of its members.
3. Members’ Economic ParticipationMembers contribute equally to the capital of their co-op. At least part of that capital remains the common property of the co-op.
United Power members pay not just for the electricity they use, but also for the infrastructure required to distribute power and the resources necessary to maintain the system of poles, lines, and equipment. The cooperative’s rates are designed so that members share the burden relative to their demand on the system and so that no one pays for more than they use.
4. Autonomy & IndependenceCo-ops are autonomous organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control as well as their unique identity.
United Power operates as an independent electric utility, most evidently demonstrated by its recent power purchase agreements.
5. Education, Training, & InformationEducation and training for members, elected representatives, CEOs, and employees help them effectively contribute to the co-op’s development.
United Power’s Board members obtain and renew credentials that help them effectively govern the cooperative. Employees are also encouraged to attend continuing education and training conferences that better equip them to perform their jobs.
6. Cooperation Among CooperativesCo-ops improve services, bolster local economies, and deal more effectively with social and community needs through cooperation in local, national, and regional structures.
United Power partners with other cooperatives and regional and national groups to advocate for policy that benefits electric cooperatives and their members. The co-op is a member of the Association of Large Distribution Cooperatives, where ideas and best practices are shared.
7. Concern for CommunitiesCo-ops work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies supported by the membership.
United Power is an advocate for the communities it serves, both as an economic development partner and proud supporter of local events, fairs, festivals, and more.
Title
The Force of Nature
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/WindStorm_251217_1320x860.jpg?h=45932144&itok=QizmetTX
Thursday | February 19, 2026
Card Teaser
Lineworkers spent days clearing lines following storms on Dec. 17 & 19.
Lineworkers Spent Days Clearing Lines Following Storms on Dec. 17 & 19
United Power members experienced Colorado’s ferocious weather in December when strong windstorms struck the northern Front Range twice in one week. Members who live in the cooperative’s mountain territory received the brunt of the storms, with gusts reaching more than 110 miles per hour near the foothills, according to data from the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder.
Weather forecasting provided advance notice about the potential for heavy and sustained winds and, due to an exceedingly dry season, prompted the National Weather Service to issue its first-ever “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Red Flag Warning (for extremely critical fire weather conditions) for the state of Colorado. Xcel Energy, a transmission provider to parts of United Power’s system, responded by preemptively scheduling public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) in the foothills between Golden and Boulder.
Although United Power did not initiate any power shutoffs and was not impacted by Xcel’s PSPS, both utilities activated system-wide wildfire safety measures. This included placing any power lines in the immediate area into Wildfire Safety Mode, which is a setting that stops the flow of power whenever a fault is detected and prevents automated devices from attempting re-energization. A manual inspection is required to ensure the line is clear of debris and the infrastructure is not damaged before power restoration can begin. Shortly after winds peaked, United Power lost transmission from the Xcel line that delivers power to the cooperative’s members in the Coal Creek and Golden Gate canyons. It was the first in a series of events that launched line crews into a dayslong effort to clear debris from miles of line and restore power to thousands of families.
“Heavy wind is an enemy to even the most resilient power grids because it forces us to circumvent all our built-in automation and system redundancies for the safety of our members,” said Adam Dillon, United Power’s Vice President of Operations. “And it prolongs outage recovery because we cannot restore power without visually inspecting every mile of line, much of which needed to be cleared of debris from the storms.”
Aftermath of the Storms
As the sun faded on Dec. 17, and the first round of storms had passed through the area, all members in the mountain territory were without power and the extent of the damage was unknown. The lack of visibility without light made assessments difficult and unsafe to conduct, forcing crews to wait until first light to begin working on power restoration. Upon inspection, lineworkers found downed trees and power lines, broken poles, and a variety of other damage.
Once the transmission line providing power to the mountains was re-energized, it finally gave United Power the opportunity to test parts of its system that had been cleared and attempt to restore power to some members. Working slowly, feeder by feeder, crews were eventually able to restore power to nearly every member in the mountain territory. However, a second round of windstorms was now on deck.
“It is backbreaking work to spend all that time clearing debris and restoring power while knowing you will probably have to do it all over again in another 24 hours,” said Dillon. “It takes a certain mindset to do what lineworkers do day in and day out, with a lot of dedication and determination, especially in adverse and unpredictable conditions.”
Heavy winds arrived earlier than expected for the second storm, hitting the co-op overnight on Dec. 19 and causing outages to roll in quickly. Before the sun had a chance to rise, all members were once again without power. The prior day’s efforts erased in just a couple hours.
Troubleshooters were dispatched, but little could be done as conditions deteriorated into the morning and early afternoon. Relentless winds toppled trees and blew debris into power lines. Until there was a break, the situation was too dangerous — and too uncertain — to conduct restoration attempts.
Slowly and methodically, as the wind broke and crews were able to assess damage to the system, the cooperative began a painstaking weekend of clearing debris, making repairs to infrastructure, testing the system, and, finally, restoring power.
“Our lineworkers are diligent and gritty. They work hard to keep the lights on,” said Travis Rodlin, United Power’s Mountain Manager. “They were prepared for the circumstances of these storms and did not back down from the challenge.”
The weekend provided relief from winds and a fresh dusting of snow, allowing United Power to operate under standard system settings instead of Wildfire Safety Mode, which had been activated for much of the previous week. It did not, however, ease the burden of lineworkers who encountered a significant number of downed trees and power lines as they worked toward restoration. Approximately 1,000 members were without power throughout Saturday, and that number dropped to 125 by Sunday afternoon. A couple dozen remaining members were restored on Monday morning, finally ending the outage.
“As proud as I am of our lineworkers’ efforts, I am equally grateful to our members for their patience throughout the restoration process,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and CEO. “Many of our members were without power for several days. That would be difficult for anyone. Thank you for giving our lineworkers the grace to safely restore power.”
Learn more about United Power’s Wildfire Safety Mode and power safety updates.
Title
The Value of Electricity
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/LateFall_NL_ValueElectricity.jpg?itok=UfW19mJL
Tuesday | November 22, 2022
Card Teaser
Electricity is so readily available and easy to access we may not realize it has a surprisingly high value when compared to many of our other regular expenses.
When Compared to Other Expenses, Electricity has a Surprisingly High Value
Electricity is a commodity we always expect to be available when we need it. We use it to power almost everything in our lives to some extent – from the alarm clock that wakes us up for work or school, to the television that helps us wind down at night, or the cell phone that keeps us connected with our loved ones. It is so readily available and easy to access we do not often realize it has a surprisingly high value when compared to many of our other daily or monthly expenses.
As a commodity people use frequently and pay for monthly, we are acutely aware of differences in our monthly billing statements. We may be even more mindful of our electric cost when rate increases make headlines. Given the regular information you receive about utility rates, you might be surprised to learn that electricity rates have one of the lowest cost increases over time when compared to other budget items like rent and education. In fact, when adjusted for inflation, electricity rates have been steadily decreasing since 1980 despite how increasingly reliant we are on the resource in our daily lives (source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics).
The average United Power family uses approximately 22-32 kWh per day, which is roughly equivalent to $3. Now think about your daily routine. Do you grab a coffee on your way to work or order food at a local restaurant during lunch? The average cup of coffee now costs just under $5, and for special blends or add-ons it could cost more. Fast casual meals at restaurants like Chipotle or Panera can cost more than $10. That means for the cost of a single cup of coffee, you could leave an LED TV on for more than 35 days or charge your phone more than 300 times on our standard residential rate. For just $5, you can do about 20 loads of laundry. If you were to shift your usage off-peak on our time-of-use rate, you could save even more.
To put it another way, most United Power members spend more on their cell phone plan ($4-5/day) than they do on electricity (as little at $2/day). The time you spend on your mobile device, which is probably a lot, is incomparable to how frequently you require reliable electric service. Many routines and daily tasks are becoming electrified with the introduction of new electronic devices, which means we are also using far more energy now than ever before.
The best way to capture the value of electricity is to make your home more energy efficient. You could make the transition to ENERGY STAR® appliances that require less energy, install a smart thermostat to monitor and adjust heating/cooling when you are away from home, or look into our rates that reward you for switching use to off-peak hours.
Title
Third Large Scale Solar Farm to be Complete by November
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/2017_09_12_ThirdLargeSolarFarm.jpg?itok=52AW6CL3
Tuesday | September 12, 2017
Card Teaser
By November, a third large scale solar field will be energized in United Power’s territory– the Platteville Solar Farm.
By November, a third large scale solar field will be energized in United Power’s territory– the Platteville Solar Farm. This 16 megawatt (MWAC) solar project is now the largest cooperative solar farm in Colorado– surpassing our own 13 megawatt Fort Lupton Solar Farm, energized in June 2016.
Silicon Ranch Corporation, a leading developer, owner, and operator of solar energy plants, will own and operate the solar field, while United Power will purchase the energy produced over the next 20 years. The 175-acre farm is located at 19028 County Road 28, just east of Platteville. The farm features technology that allows more than 185,000 solar panels to track the sun from east to west and will produce enough low-cost, renewable power to serve 3,000 United Power members annually.
Combined with the Fort Lupton Solar Farm and the Mavericks Solar Farm, a 6.5 megawatt solar farm in Mead energized in December 2016, more than 6,700 homes and businesses in United Power’s territory will be powered by solar energy once the Platteville Solar Farm is energized.
Title
Time to Begin Looking at Electric Vehicles
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/EV_plugin.jpg?h=45932144&itok=UKkauilg
Thursday | September 23, 2021
Card Teaser
National Drive EV Week is September 25 - October 3, 2021
Excitement surrounding electric vehicles is beginning to pick up steam, and now is the perfect time for United Power members to assess the practicality of EV ownership for their daily lives. Join the cooperative in recognizing National Drive EV Week, a nationwide celebration to raise awareness about the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Living in Colorado already provides members who are interested in electric vehicles an immediate advantage. Consistently ahead of the curve in environmental sustainability, Colorado ranks inside the top 10 in electric vehicle ownership and charging infrastructure. That saturation will only continue to grow after Gov. Jared Polis signed a sustainable transportation bill in May that will invest nearly $1 billion in electric vehicle programs over the next 10 years.
The cost of ownership for electric vehicles is at an all-time low, with certain brands even offering highly affordable pricing options and sales or leasing incentives. In October, Consumer Reports published a detailed assessment of electric vehicles and concluded savings worth thousands of dollars over comparable gas-powered options. Coupled with the skyrocketing cost of gas, especially when compared to the relative affordability of electricity, the reasons to consider an electric-powered vehicle only become that much more enticing.
These savings are not only derived from gas, but also because electric vehicles do not require standard maintenance, such as oil changes, making them much cheaper to operate.
If you’ve ever considered an electric vehicle, there has never been a better time. To help members educate themselves on what’s available, United Power launched Choose EV. Choose EV contains a significant amount of information, including vehicle information, comparisons and a savings calculator (fuel to electricity). To learn more about the tools available to United Power members, go to Choose EV.
Title
Thank A Lineman
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Newsletter/Linemen.jpg?itok=HwbcEaW0
Friday | March 20, 2020
Card Teaser
On April 18th, we will join in celebrating National Lineman Appreciation Day, honoring the hard work, innovation and dedication of America’s electrical lineworkers.
United Power is dedicated to keeping our members’ lights on. That wouldn’t be possible without the help of our skilled linemen, who work each day behind the scenes to improve our system and prevent outages before they happen. 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.
During the past year, our linemen have had to help restore power to members following severe hail storms and high winds, which caught many off guard. When severe weather hits our service territory, our linemen are ready to assess the situation and begin the process of restoring power. When the skies are clear and the wind is calm, our linemen are monitoring our system and making improvements to prevent outages where possible.
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.
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.
United Power
Thank A Lineman
500 Cooperative Way
Brighton, CO 80603
Title
The Birth of a Cooperative
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Jan2019_NL_BirthCooperative.png?itok=m6DZoKJN
Thursday | January 3, 2019
Card Teaser
This is the first in a three part series chronicling the cooperative’s history leading up to its 80th Annual Meeting this April.
Today, United Power enjoys a seat as one of the most progressive cooperatives across the country. Over the past 80 years, United Power has reached milestones few other cooperatives have, but not without first overcoming a few seasons of turbulence. This is the first in a three part series chronicling the cooperative’s history leading up to its 80th Annual Meeting this April.
In June 1938, shortly after Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Rural Electric Administration, a group of local farmers in the counties northeast of Denver met to discuss the possibility of forming a cooperative to meet their needs. In October of that year, Union Rural Electric Association was born. The cooperative began construction on lines that would first serve members in late January of 1940.
Though the outbreak of WWII paused development, growth continued through the 1950s. During that time, Union REA entered a competitive territory battle with the state’s largest public utility, Public Service Company of Colorado (now Xcel Energy), which had begun to see the areas lucrative potential. The battle over service territory would continue throughout the 1980s.
Legislation passed in 1961 finally recognized Union REA, and all other utilities in the state, as full-fledged public utilities with the right to serve certified territories, temporarily halting PSCo’s encroachment on the cooperative’s territory. However, Union REA agreed to allow PSCo to serve some of the fastest growing towns in its territory following a negotiation in 1964.
In the 1970s, PSCo broke faith with the cooperative as growth exploded in the area during that time. The public utility began aggressively claiming territory beyond what Union REA felt was outlined in the agreement. During that time, Union lost nearly 2000 accounts, and many more were considered “at-risk.” In 1987, the Public Utilities Commission declared the agreement invalid in favor of the cooperative, triggering PSCo to initiate a takeover attempt later that year.
Now more than 10,000 members strong, the cooperative’s healthy growth, combined with the proximity to the Denver metro area, made Union an attractive takeover target. PSCo offered to buy out the cooperative for $62.5 million and compensate members with a $500 cash payout to replace lost capital credits. Union REA leadership felt the offer was disingenuous, and communicated directly with membership until a vote on Saturday, August 22, 1987. Union members ultimately voted against the takeover, placing their faith in the promise of the cooperative future.
Title
The Cooperative Principles
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Principles_1320x860.jpg?h=45932144&itok=ewoHuXBV
Saturday | January 31, 2026
Card Teaser
Understanding the seven principles that guide United Power and other cooperatives.
Understanding the Seven Principles that Guide United Power and Other Cooperatives
All cooperatives operate according to the same seven principles. These principles articulate the reasons cooperatives exist, which is for the good of their members, their communities, and one another.
1. Open & Voluntary MembershipMembership in a co-op is open to all people who can reasonably use its services and are willing to accept the responsibilities of membership.
United Power members include anyone who receives power on its lines within its defined service territory.
2. Democratic Member ControlCo-ops are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.
United Power members elect the co-op’s 11-person Board of Directors. Directors serve four year terms and are elected at the Annual Meeting held in April. The Board is the policy making arm of the cooperative and acts on behalf of its members.
3. Members’ Economic ParticipationMembers contribute equally to the capital of their co-op. At least part of that capital remains the common property of the co-op.
United Power members pay not just for the electricity they use, but also for the infrastructure required to distribute power and the resources necessary to maintain the system of poles, lines, and equipment. The cooperative’s rates are designed so that members share the burden relative to their demand on the system and so that no one pays for more than they use.
4. Autonomy & IndependenceCo-ops are autonomous organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control as well as their unique identity.
United Power operates as an independent electric utility, most evidently demonstrated by its recent power purchase agreements.
5. Education, Training, & InformationEducation and training for members, elected representatives, CEOs, and employees help them effectively contribute to the co-op’s development.
United Power’s Board members obtain and renew credentials that help them effectively govern the cooperative. Employees are also encouraged to attend continuing education and training conferences that better equip them to perform their jobs.
6. Cooperation Among CooperativesCo-ops improve services, bolster local economies, and deal more effectively with social and community needs through cooperation in local, national, and regional structures.
United Power partners with other cooperatives and regional and national groups to advocate for policy that benefits electric cooperatives and their members. The co-op is a member of the Association of Large Distribution Cooperatives, where ideas and best practices are shared.
7. Concern for CommunitiesCo-ops work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies supported by the membership.
United Power is an advocate for the communities it serves, both as an economic development partner and proud supporter of local events, fairs, festivals, and more.
Title
The Force of Nature
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/WindStorm_251217_1320x860.jpg?h=45932144&itok=QizmetTX
Thursday | February 19, 2026
Card Teaser
Lineworkers spent days clearing lines following storms on Dec. 17 & 19.
Lineworkers Spent Days Clearing Lines Following Storms on Dec. 17 & 19
United Power members experienced Colorado’s ferocious weather in December when strong windstorms struck the northern Front Range twice in one week. Members who live in the cooperative’s mountain territory received the brunt of the storms, with gusts reaching more than 110 miles per hour near the foothills, according to data from the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder.
Weather forecasting provided advance notice about the potential for heavy and sustained winds and, due to an exceedingly dry season, prompted the National Weather Service to issue its first-ever “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Red Flag Warning (for extremely critical fire weather conditions) for the state of Colorado. Xcel Energy, a transmission provider to parts of United Power’s system, responded by preemptively scheduling public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) in the foothills between Golden and Boulder.
Although United Power did not initiate any power shutoffs and was not impacted by Xcel’s PSPS, both utilities activated system-wide wildfire safety measures. This included placing any power lines in the immediate area into Wildfire Safety Mode, which is a setting that stops the flow of power whenever a fault is detected and prevents automated devices from attempting re-energization. A manual inspection is required to ensure the line is clear of debris and the infrastructure is not damaged before power restoration can begin. Shortly after winds peaked, United Power lost transmission from the Xcel line that delivers power to the cooperative’s members in the Coal Creek and Golden Gate canyons. It was the first in a series of events that launched line crews into a dayslong effort to clear debris from miles of line and restore power to thousands of families.
“Heavy wind is an enemy to even the most resilient power grids because it forces us to circumvent all our built-in automation and system redundancies for the safety of our members,” said Adam Dillon, United Power’s Vice President of Operations. “And it prolongs outage recovery because we cannot restore power without visually inspecting every mile of line, much of which needed to be cleared of debris from the storms.”
Aftermath of the Storms
As the sun faded on Dec. 17, and the first round of storms had passed through the area, all members in the mountain territory were without power and the extent of the damage was unknown. The lack of visibility without light made assessments difficult and unsafe to conduct, forcing crews to wait until first light to begin working on power restoration. Upon inspection, lineworkers found downed trees and power lines, broken poles, and a variety of other damage.
Once the transmission line providing power to the mountains was re-energized, it finally gave United Power the opportunity to test parts of its system that had been cleared and attempt to restore power to some members. Working slowly, feeder by feeder, crews were eventually able to restore power to nearly every member in the mountain territory. However, a second round of windstorms was now on deck.
“It is backbreaking work to spend all that time clearing debris and restoring power while knowing you will probably have to do it all over again in another 24 hours,” said Dillon. “It takes a certain mindset to do what lineworkers do day in and day out, with a lot of dedication and determination, especially in adverse and unpredictable conditions.”
Heavy winds arrived earlier than expected for the second storm, hitting the co-op overnight on Dec. 19 and causing outages to roll in quickly. Before the sun had a chance to rise, all members were once again without power. The prior day’s efforts erased in just a couple hours.
Troubleshooters were dispatched, but little could be done as conditions deteriorated into the morning and early afternoon. Relentless winds toppled trees and blew debris into power lines. Until there was a break, the situation was too dangerous — and too uncertain — to conduct restoration attempts.
Slowly and methodically, as the wind broke and crews were able to assess damage to the system, the cooperative began a painstaking weekend of clearing debris, making repairs to infrastructure, testing the system, and, finally, restoring power.
“Our lineworkers are diligent and gritty. They work hard to keep the lights on,” said Travis Rodlin, United Power’s Mountain Manager. “They were prepared for the circumstances of these storms and did not back down from the challenge.”
The weekend provided relief from winds and a fresh dusting of snow, allowing United Power to operate under standard system settings instead of Wildfire Safety Mode, which had been activated for much of the previous week. It did not, however, ease the burden of lineworkers who encountered a significant number of downed trees and power lines as they worked toward restoration. Approximately 1,000 members were without power throughout Saturday, and that number dropped to 125 by Sunday afternoon. A couple dozen remaining members were restored on Monday morning, finally ending the outage.
“As proud as I am of our lineworkers’ efforts, I am equally grateful to our members for their patience throughout the restoration process,” said Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and CEO. “Many of our members were without power for several days. That would be difficult for anyone. Thank you for giving our lineworkers the grace to safely restore power.”
Learn more about United Power’s Wildfire Safety Mode and power safety updates.
Title
The Value of Electricity
/sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/LateFall_NL_ValueElectricity.jpg?itok=UfW19mJL
Tuesday | November 22, 2022
Card Teaser
Electricity is so readily available and easy to access we may not realize it has a surprisingly high value when compared to many of our other regular expenses.
When Compared to Other Expenses, Electricity has a Surprisingly High Value
Electricity is a commodity we always expect to be available when we need it. We use it to power almost everything in our lives to some extent – from the alarm clock that wakes us up for work or school, to the television that helps us wind down at night, or the cell phone that keeps us connected with our loved ones. It is so readily available and easy to access we do not often realize it has a surprisingly high value when compared to many of our other daily or monthly expenses.
As a commodity people use frequently and pay for monthly, we are acutely aware of differences in our monthly billing statements. We may be even more mindful of our electric cost when rate increases make headlines. Given the regular information you receive about utility rates, you might be surprised to learn that electricity rates have one of the lowest cost increases over time when compared to other budget items like rent and education. In fact, when adjusted for inflation, electricity rates have been steadily decreasing since 1980 despite how increasingly reliant we are on the resource in our daily lives (source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics).
The average United Power family uses approximately 22-32 kWh per day, which is roughly equivalent to $3. Now think about your daily routine. Do you grab a coffee on your way to work or order food at a local restaurant during lunch? The average cup of coffee now costs just under $5, and for special blends or add-ons it could cost more. Fast casual meals at restaurants like Chipotle or Panera can cost more than $10. That means for the cost of a single cup of coffee, you could leave an LED TV on for more than 35 days or charge your phone more than 300 times on our standard residential rate. For just $5, you can do about 20 loads of laundry. If you were to shift your usage off-peak on our time-of-use rate, you could save even more.
To put it another way, most United Power members spend more on their cell phone plan ($4-5/day) than they do on electricity (as little at $2/day). The time you spend on your mobile device, which is probably a lot, is incomparable to how frequently you require reliable electric service. Many routines and daily tasks are becoming electrified with the introduction of new electronic devices, which means we are also using far more energy now than ever before.
The best way to capture the value of electricity is to make your home more energy efficient. You could make the transition to ENERGY STAR® appliances that require less energy, install a smart thermostat to monitor and adjust heating/cooling when you are away from home, or look into our rates that reward you for switching use to off-peak hours.
Title
Third Large Scale Solar Farm to be Complete by November
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Tuesday | September 12, 2017
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By November, a third large scale solar field will be energized in United Power’s territory– the Platteville Solar Farm.
By November, a third large scale solar field will be energized in United Power’s territory– the Platteville Solar Farm. This 16 megawatt (MWAC) solar project is now the largest cooperative solar farm in Colorado– surpassing our own 13 megawatt Fort Lupton Solar Farm, energized in June 2016.
Silicon Ranch Corporation, a leading developer, owner, and operator of solar energy plants, will own and operate the solar field, while United Power will purchase the energy produced over the next 20 years. The 175-acre farm is located at 19028 County Road 28, just east of Platteville. The farm features technology that allows more than 185,000 solar panels to track the sun from east to west and will produce enough low-cost, renewable power to serve 3,000 United Power members annually.
Combined with the Fort Lupton Solar Farm and the Mavericks Solar Farm, a 6.5 megawatt solar farm in Mead energized in December 2016, more than 6,700 homes and businesses in United Power’s territory will be powered by solar energy once the Platteville Solar Farm is energized.
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Time to Begin Looking at Electric Vehicles
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Thursday | September 23, 2021
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National Drive EV Week is September 25 - October 3, 2021
Excitement surrounding electric vehicles is beginning to pick up steam, and now is the perfect time for United Power members to assess the practicality of EV ownership for their daily lives. Join the cooperative in recognizing National Drive EV Week, a nationwide celebration to raise awareness about the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Living in Colorado already provides members who are interested in electric vehicles an immediate advantage. Consistently ahead of the curve in environmental sustainability, Colorado ranks inside the top 10 in electric vehicle ownership and charging infrastructure. That saturation will only continue to grow after Gov. Jared Polis signed a sustainable transportation bill in May that will invest nearly $1 billion in electric vehicle programs over the next 10 years.
The cost of ownership for electric vehicles is at an all-time low, with certain brands even offering highly affordable pricing options and sales or leasing incentives. In October, Consumer Reports published a detailed assessment of electric vehicles and concluded savings worth thousands of dollars over comparable gas-powered options. Coupled with the skyrocketing cost of gas, especially when compared to the relative affordability of electricity, the reasons to consider an electric-powered vehicle only become that much more enticing.
These savings are not only derived from gas, but also because electric vehicles do not require standard maintenance, such as oil changes, making them much cheaper to operate.
If you’ve ever considered an electric vehicle, there has never been a better time. To help members educate themselves on what’s available, United Power launched Choose EV. Choose EV contains a significant amount of information, including vehicle information, comparisons and a savings calculator (fuel to electricity). To learn more about the tools available to United Power members, go to Choose EV.
