Ute Rifle to De Beque 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.
We plan to replace the 60-year-old 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission line between the Ute Rifle Substation and the De Beque Substation. Crews will begin work this spring from the Rifle Substation and work westward. Rebuilding of other segments of the line will follow throughout the remainder of 2025. Construction activities will resume in spring 2026, to complete other segments of the rebuild project, with all work completed by the end of the year.
The approximately 32-mile transmission line delivers critical energy to the Colorado River region but is more than 60-years-old and was originally built with wood poles. Due to natural weathering and the overall age of the poles and equipment, the line has reached the end of its useful life and must be replaced. The transmission line will be rebuilt to current industry standards that include additional measures to reduce wildfire risk. New infrastructure will improve electric service reliability to homes and businesses in the region and help meet the growing energy needs for years to come.
At approximately the same time, crews will initiate a different project to remove approximately 17.5 miles of old lines between the Bluestone Valley Substation and the Cameo Substation, which currently runs through De Beque Canyon. To ensure safety during this de-construction process, periodic, short-term closures to Interstate 70 will be taken so crews may safely remove the old transmission poles by helicopter.
The Rifle Ute to De Beque rebuild project is part of a larger, multi-year effort to rebuild and upgrade vital transmission links between Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction.
Project Resources
Ute Rifle to De Beque Information Sheet (PDF) (Opens in a new window) Ute Rifle to De Beque Information Sheet - Spanish (PDF) (Opens in a new window) About Transmission (Opens in a new window) February/March Open House Display Boards (PDF) (Opens in a new window) Safety Around Power Lines (Opens in a new window) Transmission Line Construction (Opens in a new window) Overhead vs. Underground (Opens in a new window) Understanding Electric & Magnetic Fields (Opens in a new window) Wildfire Mitigation Program (Website) (Opens in a new window) Birds and Powerlines (PDF) (Opens in a new window)Project Details
- Approximately 32 miles of 69 kV line to be rebuilt to modern standards.
- Replace aged, wood structures with steel monopoles (see images to right)
- Rebuild largely within existing right-of-way.
- Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) will be added to improve communication between substations and assist in preventing lightning strikes.
- In some cases, Xcel Energy may need to secure additional permanent easements to meet engineering and operational requirements, temporary easements for construction and property access, or amended and restated easements to better define the location of the existing easements on impacted properties.
Typical Structures
Steel Poles
Timeline
- Public outreach: Winter 2024 through end of construction
- Environmental and land use permitting will be completed: 2024
- Engineering, design, and easement negotiations will be completed: 2024
- Construction is scheduled to begin: Early 2025
- Construction is scheduled to be completed: 2026