KSJD Local News - March 12, 2025

The Montezuma County commissioners want to hear from the public about the idea of placing a temporary moratorium on major solar-energy developments in the county. The idea behind a moratorium would be to give the county time to develop regulations regarding solar energy development. Interest in large-scale solar farms is popping up around the county, however, the farms are prompting pushback from some neighbors concerned about traffic, noise, lighting, and effects on wildlife. At their workshop Monday, the board had a lengthy discussion about the issue. Commissioner Gerald Koppenhafer said he is concerned about what will happen to solar farms decades after they are built. He said he doesn’t want to handicap future county officials 30 years down the road with trying to dispose of the remains of a spent solar farm. Commissioner Kent Lindsay said when the county land-use code was written, solar farms of the scale now being contemplated were not even imagined. Chairman Jim Candelaria described the subject as “touchy” and said there is a need for energy development of all types. At their meeting on Tuesday, all three commissioners voted in favor of having a public hearing on April 1 to listen to public input.