Xcel's Zuni Steam Plant sits on the east bank of South Platte River and is now in DANGER of DEMOLITION. It was built in 1901 as one of the nation’s first facilities generating steam to heat buildings in the growing city of Denver. While it was pivotal to Denver's expansion and history, the burning of coal to produce steam had a detrimental health effect on the populations living in the surrounding areas. Over time, it was eventually converted to natural gas. Its red bricks and towering smokestacks remain a historic, industrial icon for the entire City. Following the announcement that the plant would be decommissioned, community members began to envision the plant's renaissance to serve as a local resource. There are many power plant redevelopments that can serve as precedent to adaptively reuse this building, including Denver’s former Tramway Power Plant, which now houses the flagship REI store. 

Even though Xcel Energy was aware of the community and city leaders' interest to preserve the buildings and were encouraged to collaborate, they submitted an application to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to decommission the building, remediate environmental hazards within the building, and eventually demolish the building. Unbeknownst to residents, the PUC approved the plan since there were no other alternatives presented. Once the demolition plan was fully understood, the community and city leaders reacted quickly to oppose this demolition. Xcel then withdrew their Concept Plan that included demolition, but the remediation efforts have continued. This petition does not object to the environmental cleanup, but asserts that it does not require the demolition of this 122-year-old structure.

Xcel Energy agreed to a one-year moratorium on demolition, which has now expired. During that time, the company declared that all the work they were doing was related to remediation. However, they have repeatedly denied requests for access inside the building to monitor it and ensure its structural integrity has not been jeopardized. Uncertainty and concerns for the future of this historic building remains.

By signing this petition, we are standing with our neighbors in opposing demolition and insist that Xcel Energy cooperate in finding a creative solution to reuse the historic building.