Golden Resident To Xcel Energy: 'You Cut It, You Clean It'

GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4) - When strong winds whipped tree branches back and forth in January sparking small fires concerned neighbors called Xcel Energy.

Crews quickly came out to the area near West 52nd Avenue and McIntyre Street in Golden and pruned the trees, but it's what they left behind that stunned neighbors.

"I didn't think it was Xcel's doing," said neighbor and homeowners association president Robert Huebel. "They stand out like a sore thumb."

After crews pruned the trees a large pile of tree branches was left for homeowners to remove.

Xcel states because homeowners requested the work they were responsible for the cleanup. If it were routine maintenance, crews would have cleared the mess.

"The call was made to protect your lines," stated Huebel, questioning whether such a policy discourages homeowners from reporting problems. "Why be proactive? Why not just let things happen like they happen?"

Xcel's policy states: "Removing debris because of an emergency or storm situation, hazard tree mitigation, or after customer-requested work is the tree owner's responsibility."

An Xcel spokesman declined a request for an interview to speak further about the policy.

CBS4 sent Xcel photos of the branch pile and later learned the stack will be cleared.

Huebel said crews have since removed the stack of branches and have also apologized. He said better six weeks late than never, but that he still doesn't agree with Xcel's policy.

"If I went out and cut it I would clean it up, it's my responsibility," Huebel said. "You cut it, you come back and do it."