It might feel like we’ve been talking about this forever — and that’s because we have. The Montrose Solar Moratorium, which started in 2023, has lasted much longer than any other in Western Colorado. In places like Delta, Rio Blanco, and San Miguel, the bans lasted less than a year. Mesa County’s only lasted four months. But here we are, almost two and a half years later, still dealing with Montrose’s ban on new solar applications. So today, let’s look at why this process has taken so long, what the delays have caused, and how you can help.
If you’ve been following along, you know we’ve been involved since the first draft of the new land development code was released by the Planning Department last October. Since then, we’ve worked through four drafts and landed on a version that tries to balance the community’s concerns — like protecting views and farmland — with the need to allow responsible, large-scale solar projects to move forward.
Last November, the county commissioners decided to let the newly elected officials, Rick Dunlap and Scott Mijares, join Commissioner Sue Hansen in making the final decision on the code. It looked like they were ready to approve it. But a few weeks after taking office, Dunlap sadly passed away. Sean Pond, a West End resident known for opposing the Dolores National Monument, was chosen to replace him. Since then, Montrose has faced a lot of chaos, including top staff quitting or getting fired, and Sue Hansen losing her role as Chair. Because of all this, the vote on the solar code has been delayed twice, and yet another extension of the moratorium was passed — even though Hansen called it a ‚Äúmistake.‚Äù Pond and Mijares said the extra two months were to ‚Äúgather more information,‚Äù but it seems more like an attempt to stir up anti-solar feelings.
These delays have serious effects. In Delta County, big solar projects are expected to bring in millions of dollars in taxes over the next ten years. Allowing solar on farms gives farmers a new way to earn money, even in tough times. Local energy companies have projects ready to go, but they could be canceled, which would mean losing more than a million dollars for the West End Economic Benefit Fund. These delays aren’t based on facts—they’re based on opinions.
So what can we do? We can keep showing up. Our Alliance will let you know when public meetings are happening. We can keep sharing the facts: solar energy is the cheapest and most available form of energy we have in Montrose. Right now, Montrose is the last place in Western Colorado still banning new solar. We need to stay involved and speak up. I look forward to working with you to bring solar back to Montrose.
