It’s often said we don’t notice something until it’s gone. But perhaps other times, we don’t notice something even after it’s gone. Especially if what’s missing was out of place to begin with. During the coldest week of the winter in 2023, crews from Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association finished removing the power poles and electric line that spanned 1.45 miles across the heart of the Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain.
It all started over two years ago when the utility crews were performing standard maintenance and replacing old power poles across the park. In conversations with Boulder County Parks & Open Space staff, we realized the entire line served just one home near the park’s trailhead. By rerouting the power to that single home with new poles along North 53rd Street, we were able to remove the interior lines that spanned the park. In doing so, we eliminated the need for utility crews to maintain the lines and potentially affect the natural resources. Ron Stewart Preserve is one of two areas within the county that has received the highest ranking of outstanding biodiversity from the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. By removing the power lines, the county reduces wildfire risk, eliminates infrastructure that hinders prescribed fire operations, and enhances the park’s aesthetics, allowing visitors to enjoy the beautiful, uninterrupted views.
