Latest news with #ElbertCounty
CBS News
3 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Residents in Colorado's Elbert County fight Xcel Energy over transmission line running through their properties
As Colorado's energy infrastructure ages, Xcel Energy is aiming to build 550 miles of new transmission lines to accommodate the grid and Colorado's continuous growth. However, residents in Elbert County are resisting efforts from Xcel's proposition, as a portion of the project is intended to travel through the county, which they say will disrupt their way of life. Wednesday night, the Planning Commission voted to recommend denying Xcel's application to the Board of County Commissioners at the end of the month. Until then, Xcel has begun eminent domain initiatives as well as having already acquired nearly 50% of the land needed for the project voluntarily. Tuesday night at the county fairgrounds in Kiowa, Xcel presented their application to the Planning Commission. It went so long, it spilled over to Wednesday night. The Elbert County Staff of Community Development and Services deemed the application incomplete for not submitting more detail about wildfire protection, and recommended to the Planning Commission to deny the application, which they did. Route of Segment 5 The entire Power Pathway project consists of five segments, with Segments 2 and 3 completed and Segment 1 under construction. Xcel's $1.7 billion double-circuit 345-kilovolt electric transmission line will be used to increase reliability across Colorado. "If we lose one of our transmission segments, we have the ability to route electricity around the state," Andrew Holder, the Xcel Community Relations Director, told the commission during Tuesday's meeting. Xcel Energy's proposed line, Segment 5. CBS Colorado But for years, Xcel and those directly impacted or simply living in Elbert County have been at odds over the avenue of Segment 5. "The proposed route selected in Elbert County... is the least impactful compared to other route alternatives evaluated," said the Siting and Land Rights Manager, Jennifer Chester, in her presentation for Xcel to the Planning Commission. "A lot of folks are ranchers. It's our charge to take care of this land where we live," says Kerry Jiblits, who lives in Elbert County. Jiblits is a board member for the Elbert County Environmental Alliance (ECEA) with more than 400 people on its mailing list. While the transmission line isn't going through her property, Elbert County is her home. She "moved here for a reason," she says. The group formed to resist projects that harm the environment and wildlife in the area, Jiblits tells CBS Colorado. They are environmentalists who are all in for renewables. "We're not against the project, we're against this route." Xcel on the other hand, is looking to unlock solar and wind power potential with all that open space on the Eastern Plains. The utility company told CBS Colorado in a statement in part, "We have collaborated with the Elbert County community for four years, addressing questions, concerns and acquiring land rights voluntarily. We adjusted the project's location by 50 miles to accommodate community wishes while keeping project costs low for our customers." Those who participated in Tuesday's public comment say otherwise. "There was not one single person who spoke in favor of Xcel other than the Xcel representatives," Jiblits tells CBS Colorado. She and others in ECEA have met with Xcel many times and even with the president of Xcel Energy-Colorado, Robert Kenney. "Their idea of collaboration is to tell you that this is what [they're] going to do. They have not worked with us in the least." Risk of wildfire But the risk of wildfire is why the Community Development and Services staff in its presentation Tuesday recommended that denial. "The applicant has not submitted the request level of detail of information for proof of fire protection or risk associated with fire behavior." "Wildfire is a huge concern out here," says Jiblits. The Magic Dog fire last October near CO-86 used aerial firefighters, Jiblits tells CBS Colorado. The water came from a body that is adjacent to the proposed Segment 5 route. "They scooped water out of a pond nearby. The transmission lines will be going right next to that pond now. How are they going to be able to access that water?" CBS Colorado reached out to Elizabeth Fire Rescue about how they plan to work around the line in the future, but have not heard back. Elbert County fire districts cover at least 700 square miles and firefighters in the area are mostly volunteer. There's a way to avoid the risk. According to a 2021 study by Pacific Gas & Electric Co., the utility company is taking on the ambitious goal of burying 10,000 miles of above-ground electric distribution power lines in high-risk wildfire areas, which is called undergrounding. Even though PG&E has logistical and technical challenges awaiting it, as well as a near $20 billion price tag, it's possible and currently happening. The first speaker at Tuesday's meeting, Mike Walker of Elizabeth, said, "Xcel says it costs too much to bury the lines." What's in it for Elbert County? "There's no benefit. The power is for the Denver metro area," says Jiblits. Xcel told CBS Colorado, "While we do not provide electric service to Elbert County residents, the Pathway project will provide important tax revenue benefiting the county, cities, fire and school districts." Although Jiblits, and many in the county, aren't buying it. "The taxes that we will get from this project, will be offset by the money we lose in decreased property values and property valuations," says Jiblits. On its website, Xcel says they've used a third-party real estate appraiser analysis, and the transmission line will not impact property vales. Additionally, Holder said on Tuesday that Xcel will pay a 1.26% tax on its new facilities, on top of a $2.5 million project impact fee. "Their attitude is, 'We're going to do what we want. What you say doesn't matter.' They're just going through and checking boxes," Jiblits says. Eminent domain "There were several people who wanted to speak," Jiblits says about Tuesday night's meeting, "but who were unable to speak because of the ongoing litigation." That is eminent domain proceedings. Xcel told CBS Colorado partly, "We remain committed to making every effort to reach a fair and reasonable settlement, but when negotiations are unsuccessful, we have to exercise our eminent domain authority." Although alternate lines have been offered, Segment 5 is moving ahead as proposed. Jiblits says, with larger acreage farther east, families won't be as impacted from the project. "There are already rights of way out there that they could follow and use. They don't need to take our land for their project." Xcel and Elbert County residents will have to wait more than two weeks for a vote from the Board of Commissioners on June 24.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Barely-moved-in Parker family experiences tornado damage to new home
PARKER, Colo. (KDVR) — A Parker family, who had just moved back to Colorado a month ago, had their home severely damaged by a Sunday tornado. By phone, Joey Belmudez says his family had moved back to the state from Alabama. Residents hit during Elbert County tornado on Sunday being clean up efforts Belmudez says his family was out of town, Sunday afternoon, when the tornado activity hit and they were alerted by a new neighbor. Belmudez says the family's two dogs were still in the house and got loose. He said that, using a drone, the community rallied, and both dogs were found safe. The family is staying at a local hotel and plans to meet with an insurance company on Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
20-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Two Colorado tornadoes rated as EF2 by National Weather Service
The National Weather Service has rated two of the four tornadoes that hit Colorado on Sunday as EF2. Those tornadoes hit the town of Bennett and the Elkhorn neighborhood in Elbert County, damaging more than a dozen homes. A tornado that struck Colorado on Sunday. Vickki Katchen According to the National Weather Service, "The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale) rates tornado intensity based on damage assessment, with wind speeds ranging from 65 to 200 mph or more. The scale ranges from EF0 (weak, light damage) to EF5 (violent, devastating damage)." NWS describes the EF Scale as follows: EF0 (Weak): Light damage, wind speeds around 65-85 mph. Light damage, wind speeds around 65-85 mph. EF1 (Weak): Moderate damage, wind speeds around 86-110 mph. Moderate damage, wind speeds around 86-110 mph. EF2 (Strong): Considerable damage, wind speeds around 111-135 mph. Considerable damage, wind speeds around 111-135 mph. EF3 (Strong): Severe damage, wind speeds around 136-165 mph. Severe damage, wind speeds around 136-165 mph. EF4 (Violent): Devastating damage, wind speeds around 166-200 mph. Devastating damage, wind speeds around 166-200 mph. EF5 (Violent): Incredible damage, wind speeds of 201 mph or greater.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tornado tears through Elkhorn Ranch in Elbert County: ‘Where do you start?'
ELBERT COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Families in the Elkhorn Ranch subdivision are cleaning up after a powerful tornado ripped through the neighborhood late Sunday night, leaving behind extensive damage but no injuries. Just hours before FOX31 arrived on scene, Elbert County officials issued a disaster declaration for the area. Homes were left shredded, roofs torn away, and debris scattered for blocks. Elbert County declares local emergency after May 18 tornado 'We spent a large part of yesterday and even this morning just trying to figure out, where do you start? What do you do next?' said Adam Dormuth, a homeowner whose property was hit hard by the storm. Dormuth's workshop was destroyed, several windows were blown out, air conditioning units were tossed by the wind, and his home will likely need a new roof. He described the damage as a mix of structural and cosmetic. Despite the widespread destruction, no injuries have been reported. 'You know, a lot of mixed emotions,' Dormuth said. 'We feel very fortunate. I'm thrilled my family is okay. I still can't believe — out of all the houses that were ripped through — no injuries were reported.' As insurance adjusters and contractors begin to assess the damage, many residents are simply trying to stay busy and make sense of what's next. 'You walk through the field, you pick up little pieces of wood, siding, things like that,' Dormuth said. 'You pick up stuff that doesn't really matter, but you know it needs to be picked up to try and keep yourself busy.' Photos: Tornado damage in Adams, Arapahoe counties seen from the sky Still, amidst the chaos, the neighborhood has rallied together. 'Neighbors have been great,' he said. 'They've been coming by. Everyone is chipping in. They are offering tractors and trucks … neighbors have started meals, food.' Elbert County officials are urging anyone impacted to report damage and utilize county recovery resources. Cleanup is expected to continue for several days as the community begins the long road to recovery. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
19-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Colorado rural areas rely on variety of emergency alerts to notify residents of severe weather
Some homes in eastern Colorado were badly damaged after multiple tornadoes touched down in parts of Adams County and Elbert County on Sunday. Emergency management teams say no injuries were reported and that emergency alerts were received by hundreds of residents. Both rural areas rely largely on emergency notifications like calls, texts, and emails, also known as CodeRed alerts, to warn residents of severe weather. Those notifications come from the National Weather Service and go directly to cellphones and landline numbers registered that are in the area where the warning is issued. File photo of a phone shown in a rural area Aaron McCoy / Getty Images Roughly 300 CodeRed alerts went out in Adams County and, according to the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, those within an eight-mile radius of the tornado's center were warned in their area. In Bennett, a recent report to town trustees on their emergency response plan says only about half of the people who live there are signed up for their alerts. Town manager Trisha Stiles says she would like to see every resident get those alerts. "It could really mean the difference of not knowing or knowing and you could be in town or somewhere else and it will still alert you to what's going on in case you have loved ones or need to get home quickly," Stiles said. Bennett's fire department was also able to activate their emergency sirens, which they say they only do when a tornado is visible. It's a tool several agencies are moving away from. The City of Brighton decommissioned their sirens last August and, despite growth on the eastern edge of Aurora, that Colorado city said in 2024 they hadn't added sirens in more than a decade. Elbert County says they also did away with theirs years ago. The director of emergency management there, Jim White, says those sirens typically reach only about a quarter of a mile and for people who are outside. YourReporter in Aurora Kelly Werthmann spoke with Aurora's emergency manager in 2024, who shared a similar message. "I would say the siren system is a secondary tool outside of our primary notification system," Matt Chapman, emergency manager for Aurora, said at the time. "It's not as efficient as some of the tools we have now." Everyone can also receive weather alerts form the nationwide emergency alert system through radio and television broadcasts as well. To find out if you're area has CodeRED Alerts or another form of notification you can visit your county website, below are links to Adams and Elbert County forms.
