Representative Richardson, prime sponsor, introduced and explained House Bill 26-1278 Local Government Approval of Transmission Infrastructure. The bill requires investor-owned electric utilities to obtain local government land use approvals and permits before condemning a property for a high-voltage transmission infrastructure project.

The committee asked the sponsor questions on the bill.

Mr. Will Toor, representing Colorado Energy Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Hollie Velasquez Horvath, representing Xcel Energy, testified in opposition to the bill. The committee asked the panel of witnesses questions.

The committee asked the panel of witnesses questions.

Don Gray, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. James Henderson, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Deb Gray, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Kimberly Boyd, representing Town of Kiowa, testified in support of the bill. Leah Braton, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Deb Fletcher, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Sonja Macys, representing Routt County/CCI, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Brenda Kelly, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

The committee asked the panel of witnesses questions.

Kerry Jiblits, representing Elbert County Environmental Alliance, testified in support of the bill. Colleen Austin, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Gary Austin, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Brad Ray, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. The committee asked the panel of witnesses questions.

Additional written testimony is included as Attachment A.

The sponsor introduced and explained amendment L.001 (Attachment B).

The sponsor introduced and explained amendment L.002 (Attachment C).

The sponsor gave closing comments on the bill. The committee gave closing comments on the bill.