By Mark Jaffe | The Colorado Sun
The ruling was based on a statute used just 3 times in 21 years allowing regulators to override local land use decisions on electric and gas infrastructure projects.
State utility regulators have overruled local land use decisions and cleared the way for Xcel Energy to build its $1.7 billion Power Pathway transmission line through Elbert County. The line will bring Eastern Plains wind and solar to the Front Range.
The Elbert County Commission voted in June 2025 to deny Xcel Energy two key permits responding to protests by landowners and ranchers and an unwillingness by the utility to reroute the path, which cut through the heart of the county.
The county commission and many landowners sought to have the route moved farther east where it would not have as big an impact on residents and the county viewshed, but the PUC ruled that state energy needs supercede local concerns.
The county commissioners were also vexed that Xcel Energy had begun condemnation proceedings against residents before it had obtained permits. The company needed rights-of-way on 48 properties, but had only managed to get agreements on 27.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT THE COLORADO SUN
![FD863768-0ACF-495E-9D21-2EF784DFFA6B[1]](https://rockymountainvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/FD863768-0ACF-495E-9D21-2EF784DFFA6B1-300x300.png)