Council approves first reading to grant 10‑year electric easements for EV chargers at five city sites

On Nov. 3 Lafayette staff presented Ordinance 24 (Series 2025) to grant electric easements and utility easements to Public Service Company of Colorado (Xcel) to support electric‑vehicle charging stations at five city‑owned properties. Sustainability staff said the easements are required under Xcel’s formerly available EVSI program and are structured as secondary, 10‑year easements that Xcel can terminate after a decade; at that point the city would assume responsibility for the infrastructure if it remains in place.

Sites and equipment: staff identified the following locations and equipment types: Fire Station No. 1 (DC fast charger, 2 ports); Lafayette Public Library (fast chargers); Service Center (Level 2 chargers for fleet use); Indian Peaks Golf Course (chargers); and the golf maintenance shop (two Level‑2 units, four ports total). Xcel contractors will bore conduit trenches at a minimum three‑foot depth, sleeve lines where necessary, dig bore pits and restore landscaping and surface features after work is complete.

Why it matters: the program aligns with the city’s Climate Action Plan and advances publicly accessible fast‑charging infrastructure in strategic places near community amenities and city‑owned parking. Councilors confirmed that most fast chargers will be available for public use while some Level‑2 chargers at the service center are intended for fleet operations.

Schedule and next steps: first reading was approved unanimously; staff said installations will occur between late 2025 and 2026, subject to Xcel’s installer schedule and the final easement documents.

Quote: “The bore depth will be 3 feet or more depending on what existing utility lines there may be, and that bore line will also be sleeved,” staff said, describing construction and restoration commitments from Xcel.

Vote: Council approved the ordinance on first reading by roll call and scheduled second reading for Nov. 18.