Routt County Seeks $89M from Xcel Energy in Hayden Station Settlement

Routt County is seeking $89 million over 10 years from Xcel Energy as part of a potential settlement agreement connected to the closure of the Hayden Station power plant, a request far above the roughly $16 million over six years that has been offered by the power company. 

The settlement agreement is not currently being negotiated directly between the parties, but rather through submissions to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. Xcel outlined its position in October of last year and Routt County, in coordination with the Town of Hayden, filed documents stating their request on April 18.

The Routt County Commissioners have been preparing their request over the past few months, frequently meeting with externally hired lawyers in executive session to discuss their position. These closed-door meetings often included officials with the Town of Hayden. 

Additionally, the county conducted an economic impact study of how the Hayden Station’s closure by the end of 2028 will impact local jobs, economic activity and property tax revenues for various special districts. In a press briefing about their new filings to the PUC on Monday, Commissioners said their request is supported by that study. 

“Our communities stepped up to the plate, accepted that responsibility and provided electricity for our nation,” said Commissioner Tim Redmond on Monday, who’s answer testimony submitted to the PUC last week outlined Routt County’s position. “Now the time has come, when this is going away, to help us maintain our standard of living and quality of life.”