Leadville to Climax and Robinson Rack Transmission Line Rebuild

Project Overview

Xcel Energy is building a better, cleaner energy future by taking steps to create a smarter and stronger energy grid, for a more secure energy supply. This commitment includes replacing infrastructure reaching the end of its useful life.

We are replacing two 60+ year old transmission lines that run from the Leadville substation northward to both the Climax and Robinson Rack substations, a significant portion of which parallels Highway 91 in Lake County. Project elements:

• Two 115 kV power lines, each approximately 13 miles in length rebuilt to modern standards
• Replace aged, wood H-frame and lattice-work towers with steel monopoles
• Reduce total number of poles needed by sharing towers to a point approximately 10 miles north of the Leadville Substation, then traveling separately, approximately three miles each, to the Climax Substation and Robinson Rack Substation
• Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) will be added to improve communication between substations and assist in preventing lightning strikes
• Lines will be rebuilt largely within existing rights-of-way
• In some cases, Xcel Energy may need to secure additional permanent easements to meet engineering and operational requirements, or temporary easements for construction and property access

The transmission lines cross land belonging to private property owners, the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, within Lake and Eagle counties. All work will be done in compliance with strict conservation requirements established by these public agencies.