WEEK OF JUNE 19, 2025
VOLUME 130 | ISSUE 16
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Elbert board says application from Xcel falls short BY NICKY QUINBY SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
The grand entry before the June 7 “Colorado Ag Appreciation PRCA Rodeo” at the Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo.
PHOTO BY NICKY QUINBY
Good times roll at Stampede Elizabeth’s signature yearly event featured rodeo competitions, concert, parade and more BY NICKY QUINBY SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
The 2025 Elizabeth Stampede started off with a bang and a Stampede tradition — thunderstorms and torrential rain, which did little to deter festivities. The sloshing mud at Casey Jones Park only made the Chase Rice concert on June
5 that much more memorable. The popular Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo regularly boasts sold-out crowds and creates a steady line of traffic down Highway 86. Kallie Russell, this year’s Elizabeth Stampede Queen, said the role of the Stampede can’t be underestimated. “The Elizabeth Stampede is more
VOICES: 10 | LIFE: 14 | CALENDAR: 17 | PUZZLES: 18
than just a rodeo — it’s embodied the heart of our town,” she said. “This rodeo brings our community together, supports local businesses, and honors the Western way of life that defines Elizabeth. This is an event that means so much to so many. The passion, the volunteers, the families — this rodeo is truly the soul of our summer.” After the Thursday night concert, the rodeo continued through the weekend of June 6-8, with the Hometown
Xcel Energy’s push for 48 miles of power lines and temporary construction areas hit a stumbling block recently when the Elbert County Planning Commission recommended denial on both counts. The Planning Commission’s June 3 meeting focused on Xcel Energy’s Colorado Power Pathway 1041 and Special Use by Review applications. The community turned out in force and the meeting ran well into the evening and eventually had to be continued on June 4. That night, after multiple presentations, extensive public comment, and board discussion, the Elbert County Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend denial for both applications. The next step in the process will be the Board of County Commissioners hearing on Tuesday, June 24, at 1 p.m. in the Elbert County Fairgrounds Agricultural Building, 95 Ute Ave. in Kiowa. If the Board of County Commissioners denies Xcel’s application, Xcel will likely appeal that decision with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. The applications, for 48 miles of highvoltage transmission lines and temporary construction areas running generally northwest across western Elbert County, were deemed incomplete by Elbert County staff. Xcel Energy felt their application was sufficient and chose to move forward with the public hearing process regardless. Despite the fact that its application was still under consideration, Xcel has already filed condemnation cases seeking eminent domain, the legal process where private property can be taken for public use, against 13 homeowners. Xcel’s documents lacking
Heroes Chute Out on Friday, the Colorado Ag Appreciation PRCA Rodeo and Tough Enough to Wear Pink PRCA Rodeo on Saturday and the Red, White, And Blue PRCA Rodeo on Sunday. The accompanying ElizaBash Parade, hosted by the Elizabeth Area Chamber of Commerce, rolled through the town on Saturday morning of Saturday, June 7 followed by the ElizaBash
The June 3 meeting began with a review of the project, highlighting the portions of the application considered insufficient. Xcel has not submitted Proof of Fire Protection, a signed “Fire Prevention and Safety Agreement” form for Kiowa Fire Protection District or Big Sandy Fire Protection District, as required by Elbert County Zoning Regulations. Xcel had also not responded to comments from all referral agencies, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Colorado Depart-
SEE STAMPEDE, P12
SEE XCEL, P2
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