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NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-CO-F020-2026-0026-EA
Project Name: Public Service Company of Colorado (Xcel Energy) Circuits 9254, 9255, and 9257 115 kV Transmission Line Rebuild Project

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Project Information

NEPA Number

DOI-BLM-CO-F020-2026-0026-EA
Project Name

Public Service Company of Colorado (Xcel Energy) Circuits 9254, 9255, and 9257 115 kV Transmission Line Rebuild Project
Project Type

EA
NEPA Status

In Progress - Public Review and Comment Period
Lead Office

Royal Gorge Field Office
Last Updated

3/26/2026 5:00:00 PM

Project Description

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS) and the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), gives notice of the public comment period for the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) that evaluates an application for Right-of-Way (ROW) Grant and Special Use Permit (SUP) amendments from Public Service Company of Colorado doing business as Xcel Energy for the purpose of rebuilding an existing transmission line located in part of Chaffee and Lake Counties, Colorado. 

The proposal is to replace wood poles with steel monopoles, H-frame, and three-pole dead-end structures on circuits 9254/9257 and circuit 9255. The existing transmission lines would be rebuilt with rust-colored steel structures and would maintain the existing capacity (voltage rating). To avoid interruptions in service, where needed the replacements would be installed adjacent to existing poles, and once rebuilt, the old line removed. Other proposals include consolidating parallel circuits, widening the permitted Right of Way at some locations, and adding permitted access routes. The need for action is informed by Xcel’s goals of replacing aging infrastructure on these 115 kV electric transmission lines that are reaching the end of their serviceable life. These transmission lines provide power to communities in Chaffee, Eagle and Lake Counties, Colorado. 

This proposal focuses on the National Forest and BLM sections of the transmission lines. The line begins in the north with the 9254/9257 transmission line circuits near Fremont Pass. It travels south to Leadville mostly along the Highway 91 corridor. The 9255 transmission line circuit starts south of Leadville at the Malta Substation and travels south, mainly along Highway 24, to the Otero Tap substation.

Project Location

City	State/Territory	Zip Code	County(ies)
Leadville	Colorado	80461	Lake

Application Information

Program

Lands and Realty
Sub-Program

Rights-of-Way

Project Dates

Start Date

3/26/2026

Project Office Information

Lead Office

Royal Gorge Field Office
Offices

Royal Gorge FO

Contacts

Contact 1 Name

Veronica Vogan
Contact 1 Email

[email protected]
Contact 1 Phone

(719) 269-8503

Contact 2 Name

Alexander Brittingham
Contact 2 Email

[email protected]
Contact 2 Phone

(000) 000-0000