WEEK OF JUNE 19, 2025
VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 28
FREE
Board says application from Xcel falls short Elbert County Planning Commission urges denial of Power Pathway plan BY NICKY QUINBY SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Construction crews will be replacing concrete along Mainstreet in downtown Parker between Parker Road and South Pine Drive. PHOTO BY HALEY LENA
Concrete replacement project along Mainstreet in downtown Parker set to start in late June Project with partial closures will be completed in 6 phases BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A number of partial closures can be expected on Mainstreet in downtown Parker this summer for the town’s Mainstreet Concrete Replacement project. With a purpose to increase multi-modal safety and accessibility along Mainstreet, the $1.25 million project, funded by the town, is expected to begin on June 23. Located between Parker Road and South Pine Drive, on the west side of the PACE Center, crews will replace concrete sections of roadway and sidewalk along Mainstreet. According to the town, the current concrete has been deteriorating as many of the areas have not been replaced since being poured more than 40 years ago when the town was incorporated. Crews will start on the west end of the project, near Parker Road and move east over a span of several weeks. Construction will take place Monday through Thursday, with cleanup efforts on Fridays. According to the town’s website, crews will open any road closures ahead of each weekend.
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
While numerous businesses may be impacted, TJ Sullivan, president and CEO of the Parker Chamber of Commerce, told the Parker Chronicle that these repairs are necessary, especially in light of the anticipated future development, which will include more residential and commercial spaces. “While this summer’s construction
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 CONSTRUCTION, P12
SEE XCEL, P2
Construction crews will be replacing concrete along Mainstreet in downtown Parker between PHOTO BY HALEY LENA Parker Road and South Pine Drive, on the west side of the PACE Center.
A spokesperson for the town said that businesses — such as the Parker Garage, Parker Panache and Mainstreet Salon Suites, which are located along the affected portion of Mainstreet — will be notified in advance of new, temporary access points. “Business access will be maintained throughout construction,” said Andy Anderson, communications director for the town.
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