On Oct. 14, La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) filed a petition in condemnation against Archuleta County residents Jack and Rosemary Barrett and CenturyTel of Colorado, formerly known as Universal Telephone Company of Colorado.
The property is located on the south side of U.S. 160 across from Lower Piedra Road.
The Barretts discussed the situation with the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) at an Oct. 21 work session.
During that work session, Commissioner John Ranson stated that there are residents in the county “who have issues with LPEA.”
Questions over easements associated with the Barrett’s property were brought up, with Ranson stating that LPEA “couldn’t find” those easements.
Ranson also expressed frustration with LPEA’s responsiveness on the matter, saying, “poor communication, by the way.”
Jack Barrett explained that LPEA is planning to install a 115 volt transmission line through his property.
According to the petition filed on Oct. 14 by LPEA, “Petitioner is obligated to provide electric energy to its members within its service territory and is authorized to construct public improvements for that purpose, including to rebuild in place and convert an existing 69kV line to a 115kV line from Bayfield, Colorado, to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, bringing a transmission line of adequate capacity that will increase the reliability of power from the Bayfield substation in La Plata County, Colorado, to Petitioner’s Ponderosa substation on the western side of Archuleta County, Colorado, along with the installation of fiber for improved internet connectivity to operate the electric transmission facilities. This project is referred to as the Archuleta Reliability Upgrade project (the ‘Project’).”
The petition also states that the “Petitioner has determined that acquisition of the Easement is necessary for the uses stated herein and has approved by Board Resolution No. 2024-15 dated November 20, 2024, acquisition of the Easement through the exercise of eminent domain.”
During the Oct. 21 work session, Ranson commented that the letter of condemnation was submitted against the Barretts “so that LPEA can move these new electrical wires literally right through their property and basically over their house, as far as I can see.”
Commissioner Veronica Medina also expressed frustration with LPEA’s communication on the matter, explaining she had reached out to LPEA CEO Chris Hansen and received no response.
“I think they need to hear that this is not OK,” Medina said, stating that there are other possible solutions to explore, and potentially a better path for the community as a whole. “I don’t want this to be an easy process for LPEA to do this.”
Medina explained that it might not be the ideal path for LPEA, but that she would think LPEA would want to do what’s right, “not just what makes sense to their pocket, even though that pocket is filled by each and everyone of us.”
Ranson described the situation as a “classic example of a big entity trying to take advantage of people.”
A response to the petition was submitted by attorneys representing CenturyTel on Oct. 30, which states it “denies any allegations in the Petition not expressly admitted in this answer.”
Of the 17 allegations in the petition, CenturyTel admits only to the first one, being that the petitioner is a Colorado electric distribution cooperative organized under the provisions of C.R.S 40-9.5-101.
The BoCC continued discussion on the matter during its regular work session held on Nov. 5, with Ranson bringing the topic up during items of mutual interest.
Ranson stated he had to “kind of gripe, if you will,” stating he wanted the other commissioners’ thoughts on inviting a member of LPEA to a work session, indicating there are at least two problems with people in Archuleta County getting letters of condemnation.
Ranson also mentioned a future project for getting three-phase power installed at Stevens Field Airport before stating, “this is not the LPEA we knew of yesterday and they’re being really difficult, as far as I’m concerned, for Archuleta County.”
Ranson mentioned a couple of reasons for bringing up the topic, indicating he wanted to revisit the conversation on long-term alternative power solutions.
“LPEA is not what it used to be,” Ranson added.
He explained the “county’s looking at investing” in bringing three-phase power to that area to create more jobs and bring more businesses into the county.
“I would like to have somebody from their organization come and explain the condemnations and the process they’re going through,” Ranson said, stating that it is not fair for county residents to pay these “outrageous legal fees to fight them.”
Ranson explained that, historically, co-ops, “particularly this one,” are provided funds from local entities for them to do their work, and put those funds into their general fund while going to the federal government to “borrow” money at a 2 percent interest rate.
“I don’t want to see that with our money,” Ranson said, expressing that he wants a written document from LPEA stating that money given to them by Archuleta County for projects will not go into their general fund.
“Again, that’s just protecting our taxpayers,” he said.
Ranson also indicated he wants to ask someone from LPEA “face-to-face” if that is what they would do.
“I’m bothered by what they’re doing over here in Archuleta County, and I’d like to have Hansen, or somebody, come out and sit here face-to-face and explain what the heck they’re doing,” Ranson said. “I see multiple problems arising from this new administration that is not comfortable.”
Ranson continued to express his frustration with LPEA, stating, “Hansen won’t take my phone calls anymore.”
He then compared how LPEA operates in La Plata County to Archuleta County, claiming, “I know for a fact it’s worse here than it is in La Plata. La Plata gets treated way differently than Archuleta County does. Again, we’re supposed to be a cohort,” Ranson said, adding that this is a “pet-peeve” of his.
Commissioner Warren Brown commented that he would be in support of having a work session with LPEA.
“If they will send someone, I would be interested in hearing what they have to say,” he said.
In a Nov. 12 email to The SUN, LPEA Strategic Communications Officer Amanda Anderson wrote, “LPEA has been communicating with the Barretts for several years to secure the easement needed for this project. We are saddened that multiple years of trying to find a mutually beneficial solution have not resulted in a voluntary agreement.
“After extensive discussions and multiple offers, LPEA filed a petition for condemnation on October 14, 2025, to acquire the necessary easement under Colorado law. The case is currently moving through the standard legal process.”
Anderson adds, “Easement acquisitions are a normal part of maintaining and improving our electric system, and we always strive to work in good faith with landowners to find fair, mutually beneficial solutions.”
clayton@pagosasun.com
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