Castle Rock Transmission Rebuild Project
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.
Xcel Energy is rebuilding approximately 25 miles of 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines connecting the Palmer Lake, Castle Rock, Crowfoot Valley, Happy Canyon and Daniels Park substations in Douglas County. The transmission lines were originally built in the 1950s. Due to natural weathering and the overall age of structures, they have reached the end of their useful life and must be replaced. New infrastructure will improve electric service reliability to homes and businesses in the region, proactively reduce the risk of damage from wildfire and help meet the growing energy needs of homes and businesses for years to come.
Construction will take place within the Xcel Energy’s existing right-of-way. The project will be completed in several phases. The first phase, between the Palmer Lake and Castle Rock substations was completed in Spring of 2024. The second phase, which includes rebuilding the line between the Happy Canyon and Daniels Park substations began in October 2024. Crews will use guard structures to protect roadways during construction and no roads will be blocked during field work. From late November through December 2024, construction activities will progress northwest, across Castle Pines Parkway, toward Hidden Point Blvd. Crews will clear ground and drill holes for new poles. Following this work, new steel poles will be raised and wire will be strung.
Construction on the segment of transmission line between the Castle Rock and Crowfoot Valley substations will begin in early January 2025. Crews will begin work on the segment between Crowfoot Valley and Happy Canyon substations in mid-February 2025. All work on the important rebuild project will be completed in 2025.
Project Resources
Project Information Sheet (PDF) (Opens in a new window) Transmission Line Construction (PDF) (Opens in a new window) Wildfire Mitigation Program (Opens in a new window) EMF Fact Sheet (PDF) (Opens in a new window) Safety Around Power Lines (PDF) (Opens in a new window) Birds and Power Lines (PDF) (Opens in a new window) About Transmission (PDF) (Opens in a new window)Typical Structures
Single Pole Steel Structure
Timeline
- First phase, between the Palmer Lake and Castle Rock substations began: Completed in Spring 2024
- Second phase, which includes rebuilding the line between the Happy Canyon and Daniels Park substations: Began in fall 2024
- Subsequent phases will begin: First Quarter 2025
- Work complete: 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
We are currently rebuilding approximately 25 miles of 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines connecting the Palmer Lake, Castle Rock, Crowfoot Valley, Happy Canyon and Daniels Park substations in Douglas County.
The transmission lines were originally built in the 1950s. Due to natural weathering and the overall age of structures, they have reached the end of their useful life and will be replaced.
Yes. We will replace the aged wood-framed poles with steel monopoles and the new line will withstand higher than normal windspeeds, proactively minimize the risk of wildfire and help meet the growing energy needs of homes and businesses for years to come. The new structures will also be equipped with shield wires above the energized line. This equipment adds to the structure height but also provides protection against lightning strikes.
No. We will place notice signs on the trail to let users know about the construction project and may place matting over the trail to enable heavy equipment to access the easement to do work but the trail will remain open for use during the project.
No. Construction will take place within the Xcel Energy’s existing right-of-way and the project will be completed in several phases.
In 2002, Xcel Energy was the first utility in the country to enter into agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to address potential issues involving birds and power lines. As part of our Avian Protection Plan, Xcel Energy uses three main strategies to reduce the number of birds that are injured or die when they contact power lines or electrical equipment. The strategies are:
- Preventive – Facility design standards meet industry standards to prevent or mitigate avian incidents.
- Proactive – Employees are educated on bird/power line interactions and are involved in organizations that conduct avian interaction research. Additionally, for the Pathway project specifically, we will evaluate data for nesting birds as part of our transmission line routing study and any required pre-construction surveys will be completed.
- Reactive – Xcel Energy employees documents mortalities, notifies resource agencies, and applies remedial measures where appropriate.
Project work will occur in phases. Access road improvements, grading and vegetation work will be conducted prior to construction. Temporary construction areas (TCEs) will be used to stage construction equipment and materials, including temporary construction trailers, cranes, steel structures and other related materials.
Sections of each structure are transported by truck to installation locations and the crane lifts the structure pieces into place. Once the transmission structures are installed, crews will string the conductor wire through the structures. Construction schedules are subject to change.