The final smokestack came down at the Martin Drake Power Plant on Thursday as crews continue work to dismantle the hulking coal plant that’s dominated the southern portion of downtown for more than 50 years.

“It’s a big change for our skyline in the city,” said Steve Berry, a spokesman for Colorado Springs Utilities.

It’s also symbolic of Utilities’ shift toward renewable energy, such as solar, which now makes up 27% of the power Colorado Springs’ residents rely on.

Independence Demolition, an Ohio-based company, is charged with the $20 million Drake demolition project slated to wrap up by the end of the year.

Crews have been working inside the large stacks, the main six-story blue building and connecting structures to contain environmental contaminants during the project. The work has included putting in a temporary irrigation system to water down the inside and outside of the building to contain dust and other hazardous materials, Berry said.

The contractor recently finished the contaminant abatement work inside the building and, Berry said, more incremental progress is expected in June as the building comes down in sections over several weeks.

The company is also salvaging scrap material that can be sold — work that helped offset the cost of the project, which otherwise could have reached more than $30 million, Berry said.

A large pile of scrap metal was visible through the gates of the plant Thursday as heavy equipment moved through the debris.

Utilities is responsible for creating a brownfield site in place of the plant, Berry said, meaning that once the structures are removed, any remaining contamination must be covered with layers of soil and vegetation.

A large substation and the six new natural gas units will remain on the site for the foreseeable future.

The historical contamination and large remaining Utilities’ rights of way could make redevelopment of the site tough, he said.

Utilities’ other coal power plant, the Ray Nixon Power Plant along Interstate 25 south of Fountain, is scheduled to close in 2030 to meet the state’s regulatory goals. The state is aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions from the utility sector by 80% by 2030 compared with 2005 levels.

Solar will play a large role in meeting those goals, Berry said.

Utilities asked for companies to submit proposals to add 1,700 megawatts of power to the grid last July through a combination of sources, such as solar, natural gas and wind, Berry said. At least 200 megawatts of that power must come from battery generation. The results of that request will likely be available in the fall.

Utilities can provide 1,000 megawatts of power, and a portion of the new project will replace existing generation, he said.

Customers can expect rates to rise over the next five years to help pay for the new infrastructure to meet the state’s clean energy and clean heat plan. Utilities expects to release more details about those rate increases in the fall, he said.

Contact the writer at mary.shinn@gazettedev.gazette.com or (719) 429-9264.