Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utility Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Adams County approves Xcel Energy regulator-station rebuild with 30-year conditional use permit
Summary
The Board approved a conditional-use permit allowing Xcel to rebuild the F641/F641M natural-gas regulator station at 4279 E. 88th Ave, requiring elevation to mitigate flooding, a 10-foot perimeter fence (variance approved), landscaping and a 30-year permit term; staff noted the station supplies about 20,000 customers.
The Adams County Board of Commissioners approved a conditional-use permit on March 10 for Xcel Energy to replace a natural-gas regulator and meter station (F641/F641M) at 4279 East 88th Avenue.
Planning staff said the site has operated as a gas regulation facility since 1961 and that Xcel has operated it since 1997. Staff recommended approval with eight findings of fact, two conditions and two notes to the applicant. Key project elements include enclosed regulator structures and above-ground piping, a 10-foot chain-link perimeter fence (the applicant obtained a fence-height variance), raising the site one foot to address floodplain concerns, installation of a sand filter along the South Platte to improve site resilience, and additional landscaping along East 88th Avenue. Staff recommended a 30-year expiration on the conditional-use permit to ensure future environmental and safety reviews.
Applicant representative Justin Mazur said the rebuild replaces aging equipment and will add modern controls and 24/7 remote monitoring capability; he estimated the station serves roughly 20,000 customers on Xcel’s distribution system. Mazur said construction is planned to begin in the first quarter of 2026 with completion before the end of the second quarter.
Commissioners discussed fence aesthetics and whether the county should encourage more attractive materials where the facility is adjacent to residential areas; staff noted that broader development standards work is underway and the applicant said chain-link remains common due to durability and trespass deterrence. Commissioners also asked about maintenance enforcement for landscaping; staff confirmed county enforcement authority for permit conditions.
A roll-call/voice vote at the meeting recorded affirmative votes by Commissioners Baca, Odoricio, Henson, Pinter and Melchior and the motion passed.
What’s next: Xcel expects to start construction in early 2026; the county will monitor compliance with landscaping and flood-mitigation conditions during implementation.
