Permitting

Local Permitting 

Before construction on Colorado’s Power Pathway can begin, several permits from local jurisdictions must be approved. These permits may include, for example, Special Use Permits, Conditional Use Permits and House Bill 1041 Areas and Activities of State Interest Permits (1041).

Land use permit applications have been approved for Segments 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in the following jurisdictions:

  • Cheyenne County – Conditional Use Permit, 1041 Permit
  • City of Aurora – Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan for a Minor Utility Use
  • Crowley County – Use by Review Permit
  • Kiowa County – 1041 Permit
  • Kit Carson County – Land Use Change Permit
  • Lincoln County – Use By Special Review and Development Permit
  • Morgan County – 1041 Permit
  • Pueblo County – 1041 Permit
  • Washington County – Use by Special Review Permit, 1041 Permit
  • Weld County – Site Plan Review Permit, Use by Special Review Permit and 1041 Permit

We will also work with jurisdictions to obtain construction-specific permits, such as road-use agreements and permits for construction laydown yards and project staging areas.

Permit Hearings

Public input opportunities are available during the land use permit process in each jurisdiction, including public hearings held by the counties or other local government agencies. Colorado’s Power Pathway permit application and public hearing notices will comply with local code requirements and may involve direct mailers to landowners along the route and/or within a specified distance, advertisements in local newspapers and/or sign postings in the area.
 
For more information, visit our Events page.
 

Upcoming Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Public Comment Hearings

On August 26, 2025, Xcel Energy filed appeals of permit denials by Elbert County and El Paso County with the CPUC, seeking to exercise the state’s backstop siting authority for Segment 5.  The CPUC will hold public comment hearings on Xcel Energy’s appeals in each county. Information about these appeals and the public comment hearings can be found by visiting the CPUC website or though the CPUC’s E-Filings System by searching for Proceeding Number 25A-0354E (Elbert County) or 25A-0355E (El Paso County).

Elbert County – December 9, 2025

  • Date and Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2025
  • Location: Agricultural Building at the Elbert County Fairgrounds, 95 Ute Avenue, Kiowa, CO 80117.

El Paso County – January 26, 2026

  • Date and Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026
  • Location: Swink Hall at the El Paso County Fair and Events Center, 366 10th Street Calhan, CO 80808

Other Ways to Submit Public Comments to the CPUC.

Written or oral public comments can be provided by members of the public at any time through the Commissions E-Filing System at the Public Utilities Commission. Please include the Proceeding Number to refer to the relevant case.

  • Submitting written comments through the Commission’s website: https://puc.colorado.gov/participate
  • Submitting written comments using the Commission’s email at: [email protected]. These comments will be posted in E-Filings for this Proceeding.
  • Mailing comments to the Commission’s offices at: Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202
  • Calling 303-869-3490 to leave oral comments (available in English and Spanish).

For more information, visit our Events page.

Other Agency Coordination

Federal and state permits/approvals may be required prior to construction of Colorado’s Power Pathway. Any necessary construction-related authorizations, which are typically administrative in nature, will be obtained between the time local land use permits are approved and when construction begins. State approvals may include, for example, permits for road, bridge and highway crossings or road occupancy permits from the Colorado Department of Transportation, and stormwater discharge permits and Air Pollution Emissions Notice from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Federal permits may be required for construction-related impacts to wetland or waterbodies from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Colorado’s Power Pathway does not involve a federal nexus that would require development of an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act. As part of our local permitting efforts and in accordance with jurisdiction-specific requirements, we will assess the existing conditions and evaluate the anticipated impacts of the project along each segment. This evaluation will include desktop and field survey of biological and cultural resources.

Xcel Energy has met with Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff at public meetings, project meetings and workshops and has also engaged with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service regarding Colorado’s Power Pathway and will follow recommended non-disturbance buffers and construction timing restrictions to avoid or minimize impacts to special-status species. Xcel Energy is engaging with Colorado’s State Historic Preservation Office regarding Colorado’s Power Pathway and has evaluated results of previous surveys as part of our routing and siting process.

Construction activities include the use of helicopters to aid in the stringing of wire between poles. Xcel Energy will coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration and local officials during operations.

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