Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association has completed and energized its 230 kV Burlington–Lamar transmission line in Colorado, which will not only increase reliability for Tri-State’s member distribution cooperatives, but also provide additional generation interconnection of more than 700 MW, along with other projects under construction.
Tri-State began construction on the 230 kV transmission line and improvements to its Burlington and Lamar substations in February 2024. The energized transmission line is 112 miles (180 km) long and is the first project of a larger Tri-State expansion effort to be completed by 2028.
The projects under the Eastern Colorado Transmission Expansion, when completed, will benefit Tri-State’s interconnected transmission system and bolster reliability for members in Colorado including: San Isabel Electric Association, based in Pueblo West; Southeast Colorado Power Association, based in La Junta; K.C. Electric Association, based in Hugo; Morgan County Rural Electric Association, based in Fort Morgan; and Mountain View Electric Association, based in Limon.
The transmission line required permits, including some public hearings, from many local, state and federal government agencies or business entities, which guided the cooperative through the federal Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Notably, 95 per cent of the transmission line was developed on private land, and crossed more than 100 parcels of land, requiring more than 700 signatures for access, options to acquire right-of-way (RoW), compensation, encroachment and acquisition of RoW easements.
Engineering activities are also under progress on a 31-mile-long (50-km), 230 kV transmission line from the Boone substation near Boone to a new Tri-State Huckleberry switching station south of Pueblo to be operational by 2026. Additionally, routing activities are also underway for a 72-mile-long (115-km), 230 kV transmission line between Tri-State’s Big Sandy substation near Limon and a Badger Creek switching station south of Fort Morgan anticipated to be completed by 2028.
The Burlington–Lamar transmission line represents a strategic and cost-effective approach to provide reliable, resilient and affordable power for Tri-State members, while reducing system congestion and providing for the addition of new generating resources.