While the benefits of an upgraded power grid are obvious, the look of these new power lines are certainly a big change from the golden cornfields and unobstructed views of mountains that the citizens of Eaton are used to.As the once small town of Eaton grows increasingly larger, the community does its best to keep up. In the past few decades, Eaton and surrounding communities have significantly increased in size. To keep up with the growth, the area’s infrastructure has to be periodically upgraded.

Because of the increase of residents in the area, the current electrical grid in the area was struggling to keep up with the demand. The power lines and substations that were previously supplying Eaton, Ault, and Lucerne with electricity had a capacity of 44 kilovolts (kV).

The new lines will run from county road 84 in Ault, south through Eaton, and end at County Road 66 in Lucerne. Additionally, they will have a substation in each town.

In 2018, Xcel energy constructed a plan to improve the electrical grid in the area, and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission approved their plan. Then, once approved by the town of Ault in 2019, they began construction of the Husky substation. The station should be completed in late 2024, but in the meantime, power lines are being prepared.

Senior Zack Maske, who sees the power lines on his drive to school, said, “I think that their placement is taking away from the small town feel but in order for the town to keep growing like it has, certain things are necessary.”

Once the new substation is completed and hooked up to the new 115 and 230 kV lines, the old station can be decommissioned. Then, the new 115 kV Collins St substation can be built.

These upgrades to the electrical grid come at the cost of huge towers that contain the power lines running along State Highway 85 and some surrounding roads. Unfortunately, the large metal towers are unsightly for some.

Senior Tripp Kayser said, “I understand that they are necessary, and I’m happy that the power grid is being upgraded, but the power lines are not great to look at and kind of ruin the view.”

On the other hand, Xcel Energy is providing better service and investing in the future growth of the area. They are ensuring that no matter how much the towns grow, their people will have access to sufficient electricity.