1. 08/25/2026 - 10:44 AM
    SPECIAL NOTICE: Pole Inspections in the Plains Territory Tuesday | August 25, 2026 Contractors will be conducting pole inspections in the southwest area of the cooperative's plains territory from Aug. 25 - Oct. 1 Read more >
  2. 08/24/2026 - 02:54 PM
    Title SPECIAL NOTICE: Tree trimming operations in Aristocrat Ranchettes /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/Images_Outage/Special%20Notices/SpecialNotification_TreeTrimming.png?h=45932144&itok=pa-ivAQQ Friday | September 25, 2026 Card Teaser United Power will begin a vegetation management project in Aristocrat Ranchettes on Sept. 28. United Power contractor Iron Mountain Foresty will begin tree-trimming operations to clear vegetation near utility equipment on Sept. 28.  You may see contractors working in the Aristocrat Ranchettes area through October. To complete tree and vegetation removal, crews will need access to utility-owned electric equipment, which, in some cases, may be located on member property. For everyone’s safety, please clear a safe path to electric equipment on your property and do not approach crews while they are working. Crews appreciate member cooperation while they complete tree trimming operations for safety and reliability. If you have questions or concerns, please contact United Power at 303-637-1300.
  3. 05/11/2023 - 03:24 PM
    State Senate Designates April 18 as Colorado Lineworker Appreciation Day Wednesday | April 12, 2023 The day will be observed on April 18 each year to honor and recognize the crucial role that lineworkers play in providing safe and reliable electricity to communities throughout Colorado. Read more >
  4. 01/23/2019 - 08:47 AM
    Title Students Attend D.C. Youth Tour /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Aug2018_NL_YouthTour.png?itok=QdTk4igu Wednesday | August 1, 2018 Card Teaser In June, United Power proudly joined with local electric cooperatives from around the country to sponsor teenagers from small towns and cities to spend a week in the nation’s capital learning about the political process and interacting with their elected officials. In June, United Power proudly joined with local electric cooperatives from around the country to sponsor teenagers from small towns and cities to spend a week in the nation’s capital learning about the political process and interacting with their elected officials. The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour has been a tradition among cooperatives since the late 1950s. The origins of the Youth Tour date back to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s 1957 annual meeting in Chicago, where keynote speaker and future president Lyndon B. Johnson suggested sending youth to the capital to “actually see what the flag stands for and represents.”  What began with a small group of 34 students from Iowa in 1958 has since ballooned to nearly 2,000 students from 42 states. To date, nearly 50,000 students have participated in the program. This year, United Power sponsored three local students to represent the cooperative during the 2018 Youth Tour – Hannah Rockwell of Weld Central High School, Jordyn Saffy of Eagle Ridge Academy, and Megan Lewis of Frederick High School. Between meetings with elected officials, learning the value of the cooperatives they represent and developing leadership skills, students were able to spend time touring some of Washington D.C.’s landmarks and memorials. Before flying out, Colorado students were also treated to a high-voltage safety demonstration at United Power’s headquarters in Brighton, Colo.  Each year United Power selects three ambitious high school students to attend Youth Tour. Applications to represent the cooperative during next year’s tour will be available in December.   
  5. 07/22/2019 - 04:40 PM
    Title Summer Air Conditioning and the Demand Rate /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/JulyAug2019_NL_AirConditioning.jpg?itok=Bka7-6IY Monday | July 22, 2019 Card Teaser Your air conditioner is probably one of the most demand intensive appliances in your home. This means members will begin to see their demand charge rise to include this additional appliance as the summer heat arrives. Your air conditioner is probably one of the most demand intensive appliances in your home. This means members will begin to see their demand charge rise to include this additional appliance as the summer heat arrives. There is good news if you like keeping your home cool, though. When United Power instituted the demand charge, there was a corresponding REDUCTION in the cost of energy. Since you use a lot of energy to keep your home cool, you will probably see very little change from prior summers in your average bill.  When United Power moved to a demand rate we uncoupled costs that had previously been blended into the rate. This new structure gives you more control over your electric costs, by allowing you to avoid stacking appliance use. It also reduced the cost you pay for the actual energy you use.   The change is helping to make sure you pay a more accurate portion of your costs for the distribution system that brings power to your home.  Demand is the total of all electric appliances that are running at one time. United Power bases their demand charge on your highest demand in a 15-minute period throughout the month. In the summer this is going to happen when you run your air conditioner, and perhaps an additional appliance like your washer or oven.  For example, a 24,000 BTU air conditioner creates a demand of about 3.8 kW, which translates to a demand charge of $3.80 plus the demand of any other appliances running at the same time. United Power made sure that our members can access the information they need to better understand their power consumption.  All United Power members can look at their power consumption and see when you reach your peak demand via the Power Portal. If you need help accessing the Power Portal give Member Services a call at 303-637-1300. Remember that our website, www.unitedpower.com, has lots of great information about how you can reduce demand and how demand billing works. 
  6. 09/24/2019 - 07:45 AM
    Title Summer Heat Sets Record Peak /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/SeptOct_NL_RecordPeak.jpg?itok=tcVCN2QP Monday | September 23, 2019 Card Teaser In July, the cooperative hit its record peak demand at more than 520 megawatts, the highest demand of any cooperative in the state. The summer is coming to a close soon, but you may have noticed some higher than usual bills over the past couple months. That’s in part due to the unusually warm summer we’ve had this year.  As the temperatures rose, United Power also felt the affects. In July, the cooperative hit its record peak demand at more than 520 megawatts, the highest demand of any cooperative in the state. Nationally, the heat wave resulted in the highest demand since 2017, according to the Energy Information Administration.  If you’re looking for ways to beat the heat without seeing the impact on your electric bill, the Department of Energy recommends turning your A/C up a few degrees when you leave the house. Turning your thermostat back a few degrees and ensuring your house has the proper insulation can result in big savings.  You can find more energy savings tips under Managing My Energy. 
  7. 02/10/2026 - 04:19 PM
    Survey Sent to Members Tuesday | February 10, 2026 We want your feedback! Read more >
  8. 09/21/2023 - 01:33 PM
    Surviving in Place: Why a Battery Backup? Thursday | September 21, 2023 Members who rely on powered medical equipment should have a plan for large disasters and power interruptions. Read more >
  9. 01/03/2020 - 08:41 AM
    Title Take the Edge off Electric Bills in 2020 /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Jan2020_NL_EnergySavings.jpg?itok=RVVF9LRm Friday | January 3, 2020 Card Teaser Take advantage of the resources the cooperative provides for its members and discover quick home upgrades and behavior changes to see immediate savings. United Power is committed to providing members with the tools and resources they need to take control of their energy use. As we enter a new year, and a new decade, it’s never been easier to control your energy and become more energy efficient. Take advantage of the resources the cooperative provides for its members and discover quick home upgrades and behavior changes to see immediate savings. Here are some ways United Power is empowering its members to take control. Find a Rate that Works for You United Power’s residential rates are designed so members have the option to choose one that most closely fits how they use energy. When the cooperative’s demand rate debuted in January 2019, it separated the energy and demand components and allowed the cooperative to more fairly charge members for both their energy use and impact on the grid. Along with it, the cooperative also rolled out the Smart Choice Rate, which provided two different peak demand charges and a much lower energy charge. This rate remains unchanged for 2020. New this year, United Power added a Peak Time of Day rate, which encourages members to switch their usage to off-peak hours. The new rate charges a higher demand for on-peak usage, but does not charge for demand during off-peak hours. The cooperative’s standard and time of day rates also remain options for members. However you use your energy, the flexibility of the cooperative’s residential rates should meet most members’ needs.  Link: United Power Residential Rates Register for the Power Portal to Monitor Your Usage Curious to see when you used the most energy this past month or how it compares to your usage throughout the year? Was it the high or low temps causing you to use more energy than you expected? Or was it the new hot tub? New major appliances and recreational equipment often use more energy than we initially expect. To find out what’s driving your energy use, register for the Power Portal. With the Power Portal, you can access your complete energy consumption portfolio in 15-minute intervals throughout the day to get a clear look at how you use your energy. Armed with this information, you can make small behavior changes to save you over time, helping keep bills lower and more manageable. Link: Find out more about the Power Portal here. Free Online Resources Help You Take Inventory of Your Usage How energy efficient are your behaviors? The Power Portal may arm you with the information you need to begin making changes, but what are those changes exactly? What “quick wins” can you implement to see a difference? A home energy assessment tool can show you just how energy efficient certain behaviors are, and how you can change them to get the most out of your energy. These and other tools are available on the United Power website. Just go to Energy Programs and click on Managing My Energy or click below. Link: Managing My Energy Install a Smart Thermostat According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling our homes accounts for nearly half of our annual energy usage, making it the most expensive part of our bills. Experts agree adjusting your thermostat a few degrees when you’re not home is the best way to save. With a programmable thermostat, like the Nest Learning Thermostat, you can set your temp when you leave for work and adjust it remotely so it’s comfortable when you get home. Smart thermostats learn your schedule and adjust automatically, respond to changes in local weather and analyze your energy use. Buy Energy Star® Appliances and Get Money Back Replacing your old appliances with newer, more energy efficient products is a quick way to see immediate savings on your monthly bill. United Power members qualify for exclusive rebates through the cooperative and its wholesale power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission. Rebates are available on select Energy Star® appliances (including refrigerators/freezers, dishwashers and clothes washers). Additional rebates are available on heat pumps, electric water heaters and electric heating systems. Link: Rebates & Programs Change a Little, Save a Lot While United Power provides a wealth of rebates, programs and tools that members can take advantage of to become more energy efficient, some changes are as quick and easy as investing in power strips or closing curtains. Using power strips can help limit infamous “vampire loads,” which happen when devices use energy although they appear to be turned off. Vampire loads are approaching 10 percent of the average household’s electric use, according to the EPA. Upgrading to smart power strips adds the ability to remotely control outlets, either as a whole or individually. Lowering water heater temps to the “warm” setting can save on energy and scalding when washing hands. Leaving your curtains open in the winter lets the sun naturally warm your home, and closing them in the summer keeps heat out. These are a few quick and efficient options to save immediately on your bill. Link: Find saving tips at Energy Tips Talk to a United Power Energy Management Specialist United Power has a team of Energy Management Specialists, available to advise and assist you with your energy concerns. Energy Management Specialists walk through your concerns, analyze your usage and provide you with practical information you can use to control your energy usage. They can walk you through available rates, programs and rebates to ensure you’re maximizing your energy savings.  Ultimately, energy savings comes down to the small things. Turn off lights and ceiling fans when you aren’t in a room. Turn off power strips to televisions, gaming systems and other electronics, including chargers, that are not in use. Take shorter showers. Consolidate loads of laundry and dishes to make the best use of hot water. Stagger the use of appliances to avoid a higher demand. Remind everyone in your family to make energy savings a priority. Work with them to start a conversation about saving energy, and you’ll see the savings every month. Enter into the new decade resolved to be more energy efficient.   
  10. 03/25/2026 - 09:32 AM
    Title Tenth Circuit Court Opinion Signals End to Years of Litigation /sites/default/files/styles/news_card_553x430_/public/news/Gavel.png?h=056ec721&itok=Nlg14PbQ Wednesday | March 25, 2026 Card Teaser Opinion upholds FERC orders that adopted an exit-fee methodology for distribution cooperative members. Brighton, CO – On March 24, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (Tenth Circuit) issued an opinion upholding multiple Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) orders dating back to December 2023 that adopted an exit-fee methodology for distribution cooperative members wishing to exit their all-requirements power supply contracts with Tri-State Generation & Transmission (Tri-State).    Litigation over the exit process and the fee under Tri-State’s Rate Schedule No. 281 has taken United Power and several other former Tri-State members on an odyssey to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, Colorado state court, more than six years of proceedings at FERC, a review in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and finally the Tenth Circuit where the judges heard four separate appeals of FERC’s orders.  In denying Tri-State’s multiple petitions, the Tenth Circuit held “we have no doubt that FERC sufficiently weighed competing views on the best approach to the exit-fee methodology. In a 200-plus page order, FERC assiduously weighed the proposed exit-fee methodologies and the parties’ competing views. It then reweighed the methodologies and competing views on rehearing.” Moreover, the Tenth Circuit noted that “it would be inappropriate for the [exit-fee] payment to shield Tri-State from its other business risks.”   United Power has always recognized that it would have to pay an exit fee, but it has sought a fair, transparent process, and a just and reasonable methodology for establishing the amount. The cooperative’s Chief Legal Officer Robin Meidhof notes that “Tri-State’s insistence that United Power pay $1.6 billion was never reasonable and the Tenth Circuit opinion affirmed that ‘record evidence supported a balance sheet approach’ adopted by FERC.” Pursuant to FERC’s orders, Tri-State ultimately received $627.2 million from United Power, but $296.3 million of that amount was a credit for transmission service for the next 40 years.  The Tenth Circuit opinion explained that due to the technical understanding and policy judgment required to determine the exit-fee methodology, “FERC, not this or any other court, regulates electricity rates.” Meidhof shared, “We hope this decision brings closure for Tri-State and the guidance that all its members have been seeking for far too many years. At a time when all utilities are working to address challenges and increasing costs to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to their members/customers, we want to be collaborating with Tri-State, not continuing to litigate a matter that should have been resolved years ago.”  About United Power United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms, and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric co-ops in the nation, serving more than 117,000 meters. Its 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. For more information about United Power, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow the cooperative on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. ###
  11. 03/20/2020 - 02:28 PM
    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
  12. 01/24/2019 - 11:01 AM
    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.