News

• Solar Investments Announced in Montrose County
• Rico Community Rallies for New Skatepark
• County Meets New Library Director

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Tri-State, SMPA Announce Solar Investments in West End

Energy wholesaler Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and local utility cooperative San Miguel Power Association announced infrastructure investments and renewable energy funding in Montrose County during a May 28 meeting.

The announcement includes a conditional commitment from Tri-State to donate $400,000 to the West End Pay It Forward Trust, which funds community grants, solar and battery infrastructure in the West End of Montrose County.

“We’re excited about it,” said Makayla Gordon, executive director of the West End Economic Development Corporation. “We are strong believers in creating a diversified economy in the West End to avoid some of those boom-bust cycles. It will bring in some jobs, but it’s not guaranteed those jobs will be local, unfortunately. Due to the grant funding from SMPA, they have to prioritize union jobs — which, of course, we don’t have a lot of in the West End.”

The plan includes a 20-megawatt solar project with support from SMPA and other Tri-State member co-ops. The project will be funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program, which allocated $9.8 million for the project.

Tri-State previously announced the closure of the Nucla coal plant and New Horizon Mine in 2020, resulting in layoffs and loss of local tax revenue. At the time, the company gave $500,000 to the West End Pay It Forward Trust. In its new plan, Tri-State says it will contribute an additional $400,000 to the trust if the new solar project is approved.

April Montgomery, vice president of programs for the Telluride Foundation, said the Foundation has supported the Pay It Forward Trust in the past and will match Tri-State’s latest pledge.

“Tri-State came to the Foundation and asked if we would be willing to match or provide leverage for their commitment of funding,” Montgomery said. “We love that idea because we do invest in the West End every year, so we were able to say that we would also be investing an additional $400,000 over the next three years — including our community grants and the programs and initiatives we have. We did that same commitment of $400,000 the last time they gave a gift to the WEPIFT.”

Gordon said the timing of the new funding aligns with community visioning work already underway.

“I think that’ll be good timing with the wrap-up of our West End strategic planning that we’re doing for the West End Vision project,” she said. “That will help decide some of the grants that will end up being applied for. I am excited that it’s going toward West End Pay It Forward Trust — I think they did a great job with the first round of funding that Tri-State offered.”

The announcement also included plans for a 50-megawatt battery storage facility and a new reverse osmosis water treatment plant at the former New Horizon Mine in Nucla. The plant would treat spring water before it returns to the San Miguel River.

Gordon said the projects are likely to create only a few permanent jobs, and added that the West End is already facing pressure from incoming construction activity.

“After construction, there’s a chance that only one or two jobs stay full time and local,” she said. “Same thing with Tri-State’s reverse osmosis plant — it’ll be the same situation where construction will be prioritized to union jobs, and then only a couple full-time jobs will stay on locally. A couple jobs will come out of it, and then I think supporting an additional 500 to 600 temporary workers in the region is incredibly worrisome for our local businesses and local infrastructure.”

Gordon added that community engagement will be key.

“San Miguel Power, I think, has done a good job so far at reaching out to the community,” she said. “I think there’s going to be more community meetings and opportunities to engage. And then, of course, when it goes to the planning commission and county commissioners for full permitting will be the next step, considering it’s on private property.”

On June 4, Montrose County commissioners voted to continue the county’s 2023 ban on utility-scale solar projects, which puts the proposed development’s future in limbo.

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New Skatepark Coming to Rico

The town of Rico is getting a new skatepark as part of a multi-million dollar project to upgrade public works infrastructure and local open space.

Town Administrator Chauncey McCarthy said the project is the result of extensive community outreach.

“Town worked over the course of about two years — close to two years, I want to say now — to do public participation,” McCarthy said. “We created a survey. We had a version of it for adults, we had a version for kids where they could draw images of what they wanted to see. We mailed it to every water account holder, we put QR codes around town, and we received well over 100 responses — close to 150. We’re pretty impressed with capturing close to half of the community.”

The survey revealed support for a new skatepark, a hockey and community pavilion, and improvements to existing playground equipment. The proposed build site was adjacent to the public works facility, a location already scheduled for redevelopment.

“[It was] an old burn pile that was pretty large — where the new skatepark and pavilion are going — and just old debris piles from past excavation jobs or stacked rock,” McCarthy said. “It was devaluing the site.”

The town has secured more than $2 million in grants and donations for the project, with $1.1 million in matching funds from the Town of Rico. Community members, including local skater Will Nolan, raised more than $120,000. McCarthy said Nolan has championed the skatepark vision for more than five years.

“So I think on a high level, people are just really excited,” McCarthy said. “There’s a lot of buzz going on. People are happy and looking forward to staying in this community, being able to skate here, use the pavilion, play pickup night hockey. I haven’t heard any negative feedback yet — there might be a few people who think it’s an expensive project for a small user group, but I think people are just going to be excited to go down there.”

McCarthy said the 5,000-square-foot skatepark and 4,400-square-foot concrete pavilion should be completed by September in time for a community gathering.

“A pretty incredible thing for a small community of 360 people to have,” he said. “We did receive another grant this year to bring lights and power into the pavilion. So right now, we’ll be able to use it as a concert space for events and picnics — like the chili cook-off and other things the community does.”

He added that the site will be safely capped to prevent risks from historic mining contamination and will serve all ages of skaters.

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New Wilkinson Library Director Introduced to County

San Miguel County commissioners welcomed new Wilkinson Public Library Director Peggy Parrish during their May 28 meeting.

“This is my fifth week, so it’s been about a month and it’s been going very, very well,” Parrish said. “I’ve had a wonderful reception. I love this community. I love the library, and it seems like the community loves the library. That’s a wonderful thing to see. I’m just looking forward to the future.”

Parrish moved to the region from Austin, Texas, where she served as a library director for five years. She succeeds longtime Wilkinson Library director Sarah Landeryou, who announced her retirement earlier this year.

Asked by commissioners what might be missing from the library so far, Parrish said, “At this point, I’m looking at just carrying that torch and continuing what’s been started. The staff at the library all have a lot of amazing experiences and education. They have wonderful ideas, and they’re all experts in their particular field.”

She added that she hopes to find ways to extend the library’s impact beyond its current service area.

“I’ll be forging those relationships with the county and each of the communities in the area we serve,” Parrish said. “Then we’ll see what we can do. The Wilkinson Public Library is very well established, which is wonderful — it’s in a great place. Maybe we can look at assisting other communities if it fits within our parameters. If it’s possible for us to lend a hand, then we will.”

County Manager Mike Bordogna praised the new director and reflected on the community.

“One thing Commissioner Waring says almost every meeting — and Commissioner Brown as well — we’re all lucky to be here,” Bordogna said. “That was one of the senses I felt when I moved here six years ago. It’s palpable in the community — we all feel lucky to be here.”

The Wilkinson Public Library is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with events nearly every day. For details, visit telluridelibrary.org.

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Fire and Ice Event Brings Wildfire Education and Family Fun to Mountain Village

The Town of Mountain Village Police Department, San Miguel County Office of Emergency Management, and the Telluride Fire Protection District are presenting Fire and Ice, an afternoon of wildfire education, on Sunday, June 8.

The event runs from 4 to 6 p.m. and will include free ice cream, live music and informational tables from regional partners.

In addition to the serious topic of wildfire preparedness, the event will also feature a fire truck and police squad car for children to explore.

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Montrose County Extends Ban on Utility-Scale Solar Projects

Montrose County will continue its moratorium on utility-scale solar projects, a ban first enacted in 2023.

Other Western Slope counties enacted temporary bans while developing local regulations, but Montrose remains the only county with its ban still in effect, despite staff recommendations to lift it.

Public feedback during Wednesday’s meeting was largely positive, with commenters supporting solar for its climate and economic benefits. However, Commissioners Scott Mijares and Sean Pond expressed reservations.

“We need to really make sure that our mix of energy sources is something that would be sustainable and provide us with the energy that we need,” Mijares said. “And I don’t feel that large-scale solar will do the trick.”

Commissioner Sue Hansen was the lone vote against extending the moratorium.

“I do feel like what we’ve put is some really sound guardrails around a process, by which we are not discouraging investment in our county,” Hansen said. “And I think that if we extend the moratorium, there may be opportunities we lose.”

The board plans to gather more public input this summer and revisit the issue in August.

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Wetlands Workshop in Mountain Village to Focus on Beavers and Conservation

The Town of Mountain Village will host Beavers & Branches: A Wetlands Workshop on Sunday, June 8, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Meadows neighborhood. The event is free and open to the public.

Led by Dr. Rory Cowie of Alpine Water Resources in Silverton, the workshop will offer tips for living in harmony with local beaver populations and managing wetland habitats.

The event will include presentations on beaver coexistence strategies, management tactics, and the history of Mountain Village’s wetlands. A hands-on tree wrapping demonstration will teach attendees how to protect trees from beaver activity. Participants will receive materials to start wrapping trees on their own properties.

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Gov. Polis Joins Vigil Following Boulder Attack on Hostage Awareness Group

Governor Jared Polis joined faith and community leaders at a vigil Wednesday at the site of Sunday’s attack on a group raising awareness for Israeli hostages.

KUNC’s Lucas Brady Woods reports.

Story begins at: 15:45

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Tibetan Monks Bless the North Fork Gunnison River

A group of Tibetan monks recently visited a stretch of the North Fork Gunnison River to bless the water and those who use it.

KVNF’s Marty Durlin has more for Rocky Mountain Community Radio.

Story begins at: 17:07