<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE></TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY>


<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Rule Single" FSL="Default" -->
     <HR ALIGN=LEFT WIDTH=100% SIZE=1 NOSHADE>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Major Center Bold" FSL="Default" -->
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION <BR>
Washington, D.C. 20549</FONT></H1>





<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Center Rule" FSL="Default" -->
     <P ALIGN=CENTER>_________________ </P>
<BR>
<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Major Center Bold" FSL="Default" -->
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>FORM 8-K </FONT></H1>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Center Rule" FSL="Default" -->
     <P ALIGN=CENTER>_________________ </P>
<BR>
<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Major Center Bold" FSL="Default" -->
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>CURRENT REPORT<BR>
 PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE<BR>
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</FONT></H1>





<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Minor Center Bold" FSL="Default" -->
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Date of Report (Date
of earliest event reported) January 21, 2005 </FONT></H1>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Center Rule" FSL="Default" -->
     <P ALIGN=CENTER>_________________ </P>
<BR>
<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Major Center Bold" FSL="Default" -->
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=4>BLACK HILLS CORPORATION<BR>
 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</FONT></H1>



<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Center Rule" FSL="Default" -->
     <P ALIGN=CENTER>_________________ </P>




<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Major Center Bold 1" FSL="Default" -->
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>South Dakota<BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) </FONT></H1>

<BR>

<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0">
<TR VALIGN="BOTTOM">
     <TH><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2"></FONT></TH>
     <TH><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2"></FONT></TH></TR>
<TR VALIGN="TOP">
     <TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2"><B> 001-31303 </B>                <BR>
       <B> (Commission File Number)</B>         <BR><BR>
     <B>625 Ninth Street, PO Box 1400 </B>      <BR>
         <B>Rapid City, South Dakota </B>       <BR>
 <B>(Address of principal executive offices)</B>
</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH="50%" ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE="2">             <B>46-0458824</B><BR>
  <B>(IRS Employer Identification No.)</B><BR><BR>
            <B> 57709-1400</B><BR>
             <B>(Zip Code)</B><BR>

</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>

<BR>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Major Center Bold 1" FSL="Default" -->
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>605.721.1700<BR>
                                 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) </FONT></H1>


<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Major Center Bold 1" FSL="Default" -->
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>Not Applicable<BR>
                             (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) </FONT></H1>





<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Center Rule" FSL="Default" -->
     <P ALIGN=CENTER>_________________ </P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Indent" FSL="Default" -->
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Check
the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (<I>see</I>
General Instruction A.2. below): </FONT></P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Indent" FSL="Default" -->
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </FONT></P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Indent" FSL="Default" -->
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </FONT></P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Indent" FSL="Default" -->
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </FONT></P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Indent" FSL="Default" -->
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><img src="ballot.jpg">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-commencement communications
pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </FONT></P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Page Rule Single" FSL="Default" -->
     <HR ALIGN=LEFT WIDTH=100% SIZE=1 NOSHADE>


<!-- MARKER PAGE="sheet: 1; page: 1" -->
<HR SIZE=5 COLOR=GRAY NOSHADE>




<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Major Left Bold" FSL="Default" -->
<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><B>Item 8.01 Other Events</B> </FONT></H1>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Flush" FSL="Default" -->
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>On January 21, 2005, the Registrant
announced the acquisition of Cheyenne Light, Fuel &amp; Power and the approval of the
Registrant&#146;s holding company application. </FONT></P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Major Left Bold" FSL="Default" -->
<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><B>Item 9.01 Financial
Statements and Exhibits</B> </FONT></H1>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Left" FSL="Default" -->
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits </FONT></P>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;99&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Press Release dated January 21, 2005.


<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Head Center Underline" FSL="Default" -->
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>SIGNATURES</U> </FONT></P>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Indent" FSL="Default" -->
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></P>


<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Large Hang Level 5" FSL="Default" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=65%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Large Hang Level 5" FSL="Default" -->
<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=10%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp; </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=65%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;By:&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;<U>/s/ Mark T. Thies</U><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Mark T. Thies<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Executive
Vice President<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Default" FSL="Default" -->
<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Date: January 24, 2005 </FONT></P>



<!-- MARKER FORMAT-SHEET="Para Default" FSL="Default" -->
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>2 </FONT></P>


</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "form8k_012405.htm", "description": "FORM 8-K DATED JANUARY 24, 2005", "secsgml_size_bytes": 9701}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "BLACK HILLS CORP /SD/", "cik": "0001130464", "assigned-sic": "4911", "irs-number": "460458824", "state-of-incorporation": "SD", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-31303", "film-number": "05544022"}, "business-address": {"street1": "625 9TH STREET", "street2": "PO BOX 1400", "city": "RAPID CITY", "state": "SD", "zip": "57709", "phone": "6057212343"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "625 9TH STREET", "street2": "PO BOX 1400", "city": "RAPID", "state": "SD", "zip": "57709"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "BLACK HILLS HOLDING CORP", "date-changed": "20001222"}}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________
FORM 8-K
_________________
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date
of earliest event reported) January 21, 2005
_________________
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_________________
South Dakota
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
001-31303
(Commission File Number)
625 Ninth Street, PO Box 1400
Rapid City, South Dakota
(Address of principal executive offices)
46-0458824
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
57709-1400
(Zip Code)
605.721.1700
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
_________________
Check
the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (
see
General Instruction A.2. below):
Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications
pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8.01 Other Events
On January 21, 2005, the Registrant
announced the acquisition of Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power and the approval of the
Registrant's holding company application.
Item 9.01 Financial
Statements and Exhibits
(c)     Exhibits
99     
     Press Release dated January 21, 2005.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Mark T. Thies
Mark T. Thies
Executive
Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Date: January 24, 2005
2