Utility easements in the Estes Valley and surrounding areas fall into two categories: 1) prescriptive easements and 2) dedicated and recorded easements.
Prescriptive easements arise from historic use going back at least 18 years. These easements are not formally recorded or documented.
Dedicated and recorded easements are specifically granted by the property owner to another entity for a particular use and are formally recorded on a plat.
The Community Development Department has more information on easements in the Estes Valley.
New Utility Easements
Both Estes Park Power and Communications and Estes Park Water Divisions require dedicated easements for all new construction.
The application form, Grant of Utility Easement, must include the legal description and attachments for Exhibit A showing the easement location, preferably a copy of a survey showing the easement.
The easement location must be agreed to by all parties including the Town of Estes Park Utility Department.
The Grant of Easement must be completed, signed, witnessed and notarized before sending to: Town of Estes Park, Utilities Division, P.O. Box 1200, Estes Park, CO 80517. Upon acceptance, authorized Town staff will sign the form on behalf of the Town before it is recorded with the County.
Both Larimer County and Boulder County have recording guidelines that must be followed:
Larimer County document recording guidelines.
Boulder County document recording guidelines.
The Town of Estes Park Clerk’s office will transmit the document to the appropriate county office for recording. After the document is returned from the county, the Town Clerk’s office will keep the original and provide copies to the parties involved.
For more information please contact Reuben Bergsten, Utilities Director, at 970-577-3583 or rbergsten@estes.org.
For new power line construction and installation:
Plan review:
- Engineering design should note the presence and location of any existing utilities (i.e. electric, water, sewer, gas, telecommunications)
- Engineering design should indicate the desired placement of new utilities in the easement
- Engineering design should incorporate additional 20 ft temporary construction easement.
Pre-construction:
- Stake easement
- corridor where possible
- one side with offset noted
- Stake power line location
- Note final grade and elevations
- Provide GPS'ed file of powerline location
An onsite meeting with Power and Communications staff prior to construction and installation is available upon request.
Utility customers are responsible for maintaining free and clear access to the utility easement. Fences are allowed but must be designed to provide entrance to utility equipment where necessary.