Elbert County Pushes Back as Xcel Tries to Force Power Line Route Through Private Land

By: Tori Mason, Jaimie Dodge | CBS Colorado

Elbert County neighbors have spent years fighting Xcel Energy, and it’s not even their utility. Residents say they’re exhausted, scared, and furious as Xcel works to push ahead with a transmission project that would cut directly through their land.

Residents along the proposed Power Pathway route are still battling the utility over a segment of the 550-mile transmission line that would cross Elbert County. More than 50 people spoke against the project at a public hearing on Tuesday in Kiowa.

Commissioners denied Xcel’s local permit in June, but the company is now appealing to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC), which will make the final decision.

That ruling isn’t expected until April 2026.

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