How to Place an Obituary

Click Here to Submit an Obituary Online

After your loved one passes away, you have so many contractual details to deal with, like home, finances, burial and funeral arrangements, the last thing you want to think about is placing an obituary in your local paper, but doing so is very important. A published obituary can be used in many cases with insurance companies and creditors to help prove the official death of a loved one, as well as letting all of your neighbors, friends and loved ones know of the passing in an efficient manner.

Although this may seem like an insurmountable task, The Mountain-Ear can help. We have a simple form to help you get started. We can put it all together into a story format for you. The cost to place an obituary is $25. That includes a photo and 750 words. Need an extended obituary? No problem. We can do that too. We can help make the process as simple as possible, for you and your family. To get your forms, more information and to see examples of published obituaries, please email publisher@themountainear.com.

Running for United Power BoardFree Access


Dear Editor,

I am the incumbent director and current Vice Chairman of the Board for United Power. I am standing for re-election this year and ask for your vote in the upcoming election. I am a resident of Gilpin County and reside in the Paradise Valley Subdivision.

During my 12 Years as Director on the United Power Board, I have served as Chairman of the Board for 3 years, served as Vice Chairman for 2 years, and as Assistant Secretary/Treasurer for 1 year.

Currently I am the CEO and owner of BVB General Contractors located in Brighton, Colorado. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I am a proud US Army veteran of the Nebraska National Guard.

The next year will be the most critical year in the 85 year history of United Power. The Board will be making monumental decisions for the future power supply of the company that involves hundreds of millions of dollars which will reduce power costs to our members by a significant amount. The Board has been evaluating this decision for the past several years and I have a great deal of background knowledge necessary to make the upcoming final decisions.

These past twelve years have been extraordinary for United Power. We recognize the growing demand to transition to smart and responsible energy generation, deploying nearly 60 megawatts of local renewable energy generation. Our residential rooftop solar has grown to over 10,000 houses. This growth has resulted in United Power being one of the fastest growing cooperatives in the nation for residential rooftop solar installations. United Power has a “Can Do” culture in providing COST EFFECTIVE green/ alternative energy for our system. This Cost Effectiveness has resulted in no Rate Increase for the past 3 years!

In 2022 United Power had Power Sales of approximately $315 Million, resulting in power sales growth of 125 % which has occurred since I joined the Board in 2011. We have grown to over 100,000 meters and currently are one of the largest distribution cooperatives in the nation.

Forefront in my mind is that United Power is a rapidly growing large business owned by our members. I take my Board Of Directors Duties very seriously in directing the affairs of the business and representing the interests of ALL members. I typically spend 60 hours a month on United Power Business. I devote a great deal of time and effort learning about the electrical cooperative industry and have achieved Gold level certification as a Credentialed Cooperative Director.

Thank you for the opportunity to continue serving you as your Director. Looking ahead, I respectfully ask for your vote to continue to serve you, select our power supply for the future, increase our green/alternative energy efforts, our cost effectiveness, and continued refund of Capital Credits.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at jamesvigesaa@gmail.com with any questions, comments or concerns that you may have.

Thank you very much,

James Vigesaa
Peak to Peak