Tri‑State transmission project in Morgan County paused for more landowner negotiations and road‑use terms

Morgan County commissioners on Dec. 16 continued consideration of Tri‑State Generation and Transmission Association’s 1041 application for the Big Sandy–Badger Creek 230‑kV transmission project after extensive staff presentation and multiple landowner comments about easement negotiations and road impacts.

Planning Director Nicole Hay summarized the project as a regional reliability improvement incorporating approximately 72 miles of corridor (across portions of Lincoln, Washington and Morgan counties), about 24 miles of new 230‑kV double‑circuit line and a new Badger Creek switching station proposed at a location roughly 14 miles southwest of Fort Morgan. Tri‑State representatives described proposed construction methods (wooden H‑frame poles, occasional steel self‑supporting structures, 50–100 foot pole heights typical, 150–200 foot right‑of‑way) and an anticipated construction window beginning in 2027 with a 2028 in‑service target.

Staff recommended conditional approval subject to multiple conditions intended to protect county infrastructure and natural resources, including documentation of land rights prior to construction, a road‑use agreement with pre/post construction engineering surveys, financial security equal to 115% of estimated road restoration, a two‑year warranty retention of 15% for road work, temporary use permits for staging areas, helicopter‑use notifications, and stormwater/drainage plans for the switching station.

Several landowners raised concerns. Resident Eldon Hawes said Tri‑State’s initial correspondence referenced eminent domain and reported difficulties obtaining negotiated agreements through counsel; Hawes also questioned County Road F’s ability to handle construction traffic and asked that landowner permissions be in hand before approval. Tri‑State representatives said voluntary easements are their preference and that eminent domain language is a legal notice, not an immediate action, and that they were still negotiating easement language with some counsel.

Commissioner Kelvin Bernhardt said he was not comfortable approving the application at this time and asked for additional time for negotiations and road‑use planning. Bernhardt moved to continue the 1041 hearing to Jan. 20, 2026; Commissioner Malone seconded and the motion carried 3–0.

The continuation gives Tri‑State and county staff time to finalize road‑use agreements, refine easement language and work with affected landowners and Public Works on traffic mitigation and restoration financial assurances prior to a future county decision.