News
Elbert 8.1.13
Elbert County
August 1, 2013
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourelbertcountynews.com
Elbert County, Colorado • Volume 118, Issue 27
County approves pipeline Public coffers will get boost from natural-gas project By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com
Chase Atkinson unleashes a lasso around a calf during the ribbon roping contest July 27 at the Elbert County Fair. The goal of the contest is for the rider to snare the calf while a teammate on foot attempts to grab a red ribbon from the animal’s tail. More Elbert County Fair photos on page 5. Photos by Deborah Grigsby
Things get
hopping at county fair
Looking a bit surprised, this young goat doesn’t seem to be pleased with Grace Adams’ handiwork with a rope. Massey, along with several others, took part in the junior goat tying competition July 27 at the Elbert County Fair Youth Rodeo.
Rabbits, youth rodeo open nine-day 4-H extravaganza By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com The 2013 Elbert County Fair is underway, promising more than a week of exciting activities for just about anything with feet, paws or hooves. The annual nine-day event is considered among the top events for local 4-H organizations, featuring the county’s best in a variety of categories including dogs, sheep, swine, poultry and beef. Among the largest opening weekend events was the rabbit show, with local expert and rabbit judge Mary Brewer estimating the number of entries between 300 and 400. But then again, it’s hard to have just one rabbit.
Parent Brian Allen of Elizabeth says the 4-H rabbit program, although time-consuming, has been a good investment. “It’s really become a family project,” he said. “We’ve traveled to places like Texas and Kentucky for competitions and so it’s kind of become our family vacation time.” Allen’s daughter, 18-year-old Brianna, says the rabbits have helped her build time and financial management skills she thinks she’ll need as she starts nursing school. Dierson Bankert, 12, and her younger sister Annika, 9, are showing rabbits for the first time in their 4-H careers. They agree the job takes some time, but the rewards are worth the effort. Future rodeo heavy-hitters also helped kick off the fair on July 27 with the annual youth rodeo competition, featuring team roping, ribbon roping and goat tying. Many of the animals shown at the fair will go to the fair’s market auction. There,
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Although Elbert County hasn’t worked the bugs out of its oil and gas documents yet, that didn’t stop the Board of County Commissioners from approving a new natural gas pipeline that will cut through the county, starting this month. In a July 24 unanimous decision, the BOCC approved a special use permit for Houston-based Front Range Pipeline LLC to construct and install a 16-inch-diameter steel pipeline that will carry liquid natural gas from Greeley to Skellytown, Texas, northeast of Amarillo. The decision is also expected to carry a sizable amount of cash back to the county coffers. According to the application, anticipated first-year revenues from the pipeline, payable to the county, will be somewhere near $126,000. Approximately $74,000 would go to the general fund, $47,000 would go into roads and bridges, and the remaining portion will bolster social services and county retirement funds. The pipeline will enter the county near the northwest corner and travel in a southeast pattern for 36 miles, exiting into El Paso County. The pipeline would then again clip the southwest corner of Elbert County before entering Lincoln County. “Construction is expected to be completed within six months,” said Carolyn Parkinson of Community Devolvement Services. “But if what they are doing in El Paso County is any indication, it will be much quicker. They are moving at about two miles per day.” The total project includes the pipeline as well as two mainline valves that will be located at or near the intersections of County Roads 194 and 29, and County Roads 94 and 77. A pumping station will be built two miles north of Kiowa on Kiowa Bennett Road. According to Parkinson, the applicant has acquired all necessary easements, primarily from private property owners. Most of the property identified is zoned for agriculture. Water for the project — about 4.8 million gallons of it — will be provided through a combination of efforts. “Water for dust mitigation will be Pipeline continues on Page 7
about the pipeline Even the rabbits seemed to get into the spirit of things at the 2013 Elbert County Fair. Along with a robust rabbit competition, the fair hosted its annual youth rodeo. local farmers and ranchers will bid on prize-winning critters. “It’s really a great way to support the kids,” said Mage Royston, a 4-H parent. “Many of the kids rely on the money they make from the market to fund their next year in 4-H.” The fair runs through Aug. 4 with a variety of events and exhibitions each day including an ice cream eating contest, a pet costume competition, bucking horse futurity, live music and a parade. For more information on the fair or a schedule of events, visit www.elbertcounty fair.com.
Applicant: Front Range Pipeline LLC, 1100 Louisiana St., Suite 1000, Houston, TX 77002, 713-381-6500 Contents: Liquid natural gas Diameter: 16 inches Construction: Steel Length: Total length is 395 miles. Runs from Greeley to Skellytown, Texas. Approximately 36 miles within Elbert County. Main valves: Two mainline valves will be located at or near the intersections of County Roads 194 and 29, and County Roads 94 and 77. Pump station: One pump station will be located two miles north of Kiowa on Kiowa Bennett Road. Geography: Will cross primarily agriculturally zoned property. Depth: Buried a minimum of 48 inches below surface, 60 inches below bottom of roadside ditches on public right of way. Work hours: Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Work will be conducted only during daylight hours. Source: Elbert County