House Bill 22-1104 “The Powerline Trails Act”
Public recreation trails, located within corridors for electric transmission lines, are known as “powerline trails.” Powerline trails currently exist in urban and suburban areas of Colorado.
Powerline trails can provide safe routes for pedestrian commuting or recreation. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on powerline trails. Electrical assisted bicycles, electric scooters, lower-power scooters, and motorized wheelchairs are allowed.
Powerline trails can reduce land acquisition costs for new recreational trails and provide sustainable community connections.
Black Hills Energy owns and operates approximately 700 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines at 69 kV and above in southern Colorado which could potentially provide powerline trails for local communities.
Black Hills Energy will notify local governments of the potential for construction of a powerline trail when: (1) siting a new transmission line, (2) expanding an existing transmission line, (3) applying to local counties for 1041 permits. These notifications will occur if the transmission line will be extended by more than one mile or the line capacity will be increased by more than 10%.
Black Hills Energy will consider and address plans for the construction of new powerline trails within its public filings of Ten-Year Transmission Plans under Rule 3627 of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.