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Local residents press Elbert County commission on proposed Xcel Energy transmission corridor
Summary
Two residents representing the Elbert County Environmental Alliance urged commissioners to oppose a proposed 610-mile transmission corridor Xcel plans across the eastern plains, citing wildlife, property values and fire risk; no county action was taken at the meeting.
Several residents used the public-comment period to urge the planning commission and county leaders to oppose a proposed high-voltage transmission corridor proposed by Xcel Energy that would cross large portions of the eastern plains, they said.
Carrie Giblets, who identified herself as a board member of the Elbert County Environmental Alliance (ECEA), told commissioners the company’s plan — which she described as roughly 610 miles of transmission line with towers about 140 feet tall planned through portions of Elbert County — would bring “negative impacts on wildlife, community health, viewshed, landowner rights” and risk for fires. “There’s no benefit for our county,” she said, asserting that the project would primarily serve the Denver metro area and that land and communities in eastern Elbert County would see the harm.
Don Grama, who also said he is on the ECEA board and that the line would run within 40 to 50 feet of his house, told commissioners the group has grown to about 350 members and that outreach to date had found little local support for the corridor. He asked commissioners to exercise “due diligence” when the company’s application arrives before the county.
Speakers repeatedly used the name “Excel” in the meeting; the company commonly uses the trade name Xcel Energy. Commenters said Xcel’s Colorado subsidiary has described the eastern plains as an attractive area for wind and solar development and expressed concern that the transmission corridor would be routed through the county rather than farther east where commenters say there are larger parcels and existing rights-of-way.
Commenters also cited recent local fires linked to power lines in other jurisdictions as an example of the risks of siting high-voltage lines near homes. Several speakers said they had been told by Xcel that an environmental-impact study was not anticipated; those statements were presented as the speakers reported they had been told by company representatives. The planning commission did not take action on the matter during the meeting; public comment closed and the commission proceeded to the agenda items.
No county staff action or formal referral on the transmission proposal was recorded in the meeting minutes or the staff report during this session.
