Responsible Solar
for Montezuma County
Responsible Solar
For Montezuma County
We see large solar development differently
We look at proposed projects from the perspective of adjacent landowners and the experience gained from listening to project developers
The County Land Use Code
After a six month moratorium our county Land Use Code (LUC) was modified with a section (Chapter 10) on renewable energy in November 2025. See Resolution 29-2025 at https://montezumacounty.gov/planning-zoning/
under documents available for purchase/download.
Articles 1201.2 and 2102.2(A) (F) in the LUC cover the protection of agricultural land and keeping the rural aspect of the county.
Articles 1201.2, 2101.4, and 3101.2 specify no adverse impacts on other property including reduction of property values.
Chapter 2 covers High Impact Permitting (HIP) and Chapter 3 covers Special Use Permits (SUP) in detail. The complete document is worth the read to broaden one's knowledge related to utility-scale solar development in our county. Yes, large-scale solar fits into the category of "a major facility of a public or private utility".
What we've learned from the Dolores Canyon Solar Facility
We've watched with interest as this project began in 2021 and progressed through Dolores County permitting after initially being denied, then went through construction. During the construction phase, delivery vehicles did not follow the designated routes and damaged our Montezuma County roads. Guess who paid for the repairs.
Why did crews wear hazmat gear to clean up from the Sharps Canyon fire in 2025? The fire burned panels stored in the northwest corner.
Will vendors say where their materials REALLY are manufactured? Would it matter to you if it were China?
It was supposed to be online at the end of 2025. Information now shows completion in November 2026. A performance bond would have been a good idea.
Living Next Door
The prospect of living next door to a solar project runs the gamut from speaking at public hearings, to dealing with construction noise for "18 months", to living with a utility facility larger than 20 acres 24/7/365 for 35+- years.
using productive farmland for projects will not feed us in the future. Farmland is attractive because it's relatively inexpensive and already clearcut, thereby saving the developer money.
developer statements are frequently different between neighborhood meetings and public hearings.
property rights are a touchy subject. Don't forget legal descriptions have two parts. The adjacent landowners are protected as well as each landowner under agreement.
About the current infrastructure
The current infrastructure to support a utility scale solar facility appears to be inadequate in our area. From research on project interconnection queues, we've learned substations need expansion and transmission lines need upgrading.
you too can investigate the status of infrastructure progress through TriState Generation and Transmission as well as Western Area Power Administration online.
Do you feel overwhelmed by the masses of information that tell you how much We can benefit from having an industrial scale solar facility in the county? Write to us and we'll answer your questions.
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Responsible Solar
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Our goal is to provide alternative and in-depth information related to utility scale solar facilities.