Centennial Residents Upset Over Xcel's Tree Removal Plan

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - Xcel Energy plans to cut down as many as 400 trees in one Centennial neighborhood, but not without a fight from homeowners.

Xcel says some of the trees in the Homestead neighborhood pose a potential problem to the high voltage lines. An easement gives Xcel the right to cut or trim trees that run below the lines.

The residents say Xcel isn't considering what it will do to property values.

"I think they're guising it in national security language so that they can come in and just take care of it one time and be done with it and not have to come back again," resident Peter Gammie said. "It's much cheaper for them and they won't have to pay the price in loss of property value like we will."

The residents argue that much of the problem could be solved by simply trimming back some of the trees.

"A big surprise and I truly came home and saw logs all over my yard," resident Richard Loveman said.

Xcel says it's following industry standards and working with the neighborhood to meet its goals.

Residents say the trees provide a buffer from the traffic noise on Dry Creek Road.

Xcel has a list of recommended trees that can be planted under and around power lines.