Commissioners approve two Xcel Energy laydown and helicopter yards to support transmission-line rebuild

Garfield County commissioners on Sept. 8 approved two temporary-use permits allowing Xcel Energy to operate short-duration laydown storage yards — including helicopter landing and refueling activities — to support a local transmission-line rebuild.

The two permits cover separate private parcels near the Interstate 70 corridor west of Parachute and between Parachute and Rifle. Each permit authorizes up to six-month operations under county temporary-use rules; activities include day-use storage of poles and reels, an FAA-compliant landing zone, a refueling truck and short helicopter flights to set poles in locations inaccessible to ground crews.

County planning staff said both applications included a stabilized surface area to limit ground disturbance, dust-control and portable-waste arrangements, and required reclamation commitments. Staff recommended approval with conditions including a pre-construction meeting to fix the start date for the six-month period; coordination with Colorado Parks and Wildlife on winter habitat timing; and updated emergency action plans with local fire agencies.

Applicants told commissioners the overall rebuild project required this dispersed approach because a recent environmental assessment cleared the route after an extended federal review; the pockets of helicopter work are relatively brief and intended to limit road impacts and long-haul truck movements. Applicants said helicopters would not be operated at night and any FAA-required LZ beacons would be turned off when not in active use to minimize light impacts.

Commissioners approved both permits after staff and applicant clarified haul routes and wildlife-protection triggers. The board required that if the area of disturbance for a yard exceeds one acre the applicant must post reclamation security and follow county revegetation rules.

What’s next: Xcel will coordinate FAA approvals for flight paths, finalize buffers and monitors required under the CPW consultation, and schedule the permitted six-month windows with county staff at pre-construction meetings.