Why Colorado
Need for more transmission
Experts and stakeholders across the energy, environment and public sectors have identified that expanding our electric transmission infrastructure is one of the most important actions to successfully transition to a clean and prosperous carbon-neutral economy. In fact, the Colorado Electric Transmission Authority has identified the need for up to $4 billion of additional transmission investment.
Siting opportunity
As Colorado faces a growing demand for new and upgraded electric transmission lines, now is the time to revisit state policies that currently restrict the siting of transmission infrastructure along interstates and expressways.
Building transmission in highway right-of-way can speed the permitting process and lessen impacts on landowners and the environment.
Challenges
Siting prohibition
The Colorado Department of Transportation’s State Highway Utility Accommodation Code does not allow longitudinal co-location of overhead electric transmission in interstate highways rights-of-way.
Our work
NextGen Highways Colorado is working to implement policy changes to allow for the co-location of transmission lines in Colorado’s interstate highways. When policy changes are implemented, we will work with utilities, transmission developers, state agencies, and other stakeholders to encourage the consideration of highway corridors for new transmission development.
Legislative work
While the Colorado Department of Transportation can allow for transmission line co-location in interstate highway corridors through their public/private initiative process, new legislation can streamline and codify CDOT processes for transmission line co-location on all state highways.
The map illustrates the opportunity for co-locating transmission lines in highway and interstate corridors.
Coalition members
