Lisa Ezra, Gilpin County.  Much like the state flower of Colorado, orange traffic cones have bloomed all over Gilpin county in tandem with the Tungsten to Bobtail Natural Gas Project. Crews have been busy over the summer laying approximately fifteen miles of new natural gas pipeline between southwest Boulder county and the city of Black Hawk, which will result in significant improvements to Xcel’s natural gas service in the area. Crew anticipate the project, which began in May of 2019, will be complete sometime next year.  

 Residents currently experience road closures along Dory Hill Road (through October) and reduced access to lanes on State Highways 46 and 119. Additionally, crews plan to pave Miners Mesa Road between Mill Street and Bobtail Road beginning the week of September 30. Area commuters should expect delays.  

 The project team has worked diligently to maintain open and steady communication with government officials and agencies, business and property owners, and residents in the affected areas. Status updates are available online at XcelEnergyTungstentoBobtail GasPipeline.com, the project hotline, which can be reached by calling 1-833-638-9614, email updates are available by subscription, and specific questions and concerns can be addressed to info@
XcelEnergyTungstentoBobtailGas Pipeline.com. Direct mailers are also available to residents without technological access.  

Given that construction schedules are apt to change due to inclement weather and other factors, the project team encourages the community to participate in this important dialogue. Patience is also encouraged during this time, while significant improvements are made to the place we love.  

(Originally published in the September 26, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)