News

• Floating Solar on Reservoir Number 2
• Soul Comes to Music on the Mesa
• Michael Dougherty Looks for Attorney General Nomination

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Floating Solar on Reservoir Number 2

It’s blustery and warm on Wright’s Mesa.

Siobhan Montoya Lavender stands outside the Norwood Water Commission’s Reservoir No. 2.

“Last year, the Norwood Water Commission reached out to EcoAction Partners to say, ‘Hey, we’re having all these evaporation issues. We’re having algae blooms that are expensive to treat. We have really high electric bills. We’ve looked into this very shallowly and we’ve said maybe floating solar is an option. Could you research more and tell us more?’” Lavender said.

Lavender, the climate action development director for EcoAction — a regional climate solutions nonprofit — said it was an immediate yes. She began researching grant opportunities for a feasibility study to determine whether floating solar, or floatovoltaics, would be possible on the reservoir.

There was one problem.

“All the grants that I would normally go after for this dried up,” she said.

EcoAction got creative and reached out to the Colorado School of Mines and its senior capstone program.

That is how seven graduating seniors from Golden ended up in Norwood to conduct the feasibility study under the guidance of their professors.

“They will be doing all these wonderful studies and engineering specifications for us basically pro bono,” Lavender said. “This is something that would normally cost the town $40,000 to $50,000.”

Grace Flanagan, one of the students, is studying environmental engineering.

“It’s basically an experience for us to get hands-on, real-world experience that you wouldn’t get in the classroom,” Flanagan said.

The students dispersed around the reservoir. Some collected measurements of the pond while Flanagan slid down the bank to test the water.

“We’re doing a bit of field measurements and simulations on the computer to see how much electricity we could generate from the solar panels, try and estimate how much reduction in evaporation we could get,” Flanagan said. “Also, we’re taking some baseline water quality data so we can make sure there isn’t going to be leaching, because we know one of the community concerns was metal leaching. So we’re testing for metals. The team over there is doing site analysis to make sure we can model the site to get a good idea of the dimensions and sizing, because each panel gets a float. We also have to design an anchor system so the solar panels won’t move around.”

Walter Sharp, a technical adviser on the project, said there are two primary benefits of the solar panels.

The first is reducing algae blooms on the water.

“It’s blocking the sunlight,” Sharp said. “Algae grows on photosynthesis, which is based on sunlight. So if there’s no sunlight, there’s no growth.”

The second benefit is reducing evaporation from the reservoir.

“The panels are only about two feet off the water,” Sharp said. “Any humidity that occurs is going to keep the water temperature cooler in that region. Evaporation is based on heat and wind, so if you lower the temperature and you lower the wind, you lower the evaporation.”

While the project uses solar panels, the panels themselves are at a low slope and are not ideal for energy production. Lavender said the project is primarily a water conservation effort, with the added benefit of energy generation.

For Sara Ownes, Norwood’s town manager, anything that offsets water loss using proactive measures is a win.

“We’re in a 50-year drought, and we’re going into an even worse drought season this year,” Ownes said. “So as proactive as we can be, from the town side of things, to set ourselves up for safety, to be able to continue to offer water to everybody, as well as be able to mitigate fires, is priority No. 1, quite honestly.”

Back by the water, Flanagan checked measurements. As her senior capstone project, she was drawn to the science, but the work is also personal. Flanagan grew up in a small town in Maryland where the water was contaminated, and her family has relied on bottled water for years.

“It was really cool how I could give back to a community in the sense of making the water better and more treatable for the community,” Flanagan said. “Especially as there’s a lot of water scarcity, it’s nice to see that I could do something to reduce that impact.”

The feasibility study is just the first step toward potentially bringing floatovoltaics to the Norwood reservoir. But it is an important step as the town looks ahead, takes its future into its own hands and continues to adapt to a changing water landscape.

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Soul Comes to Music on the MesaMusic on the Mesa is back this summer.

“We like to welcome the world to Norwood,” said Daiva Chesonis, producer of Music on the Mesa — a collaboration between Norwood Park and Recreation, the town of Norwood and Pickin’ Productions.

The free concert series is now in its third year. Chesonis describes the events as picnic-style concerts.

“We want people to come together and see each other, talk to each other, check in,” Chesonis said. “We live spaced out here on the mesa — sometimes your closest neighbor is 35 acres away. This is a way to check in with each other, because when times are good, it’s all good. But when things go awry, we need each other and we need to know each other.”

Once again, Music on the Mesa will bring a diverse range of sounds.

“We kind of have a rhythm here after the first two years,” Chesonis said. “The first show is more down-home, more classic, a good start to the summer — Americana, but definitely with some rock and bluegrass thrown in there. Then we slide into some sultry funk for August.”

The first act in the series is Wolf Jett, bringing what the band describes as “cosmic mountain music.”

“They are deep-fried Southern vocals, wizard-level guitar playing,” Chesonis said. “There’s a female in the vocal mix. They’re sweet, gritty, down-home, rocking music.”

Taking to the stage in August is The Burroughs.

“Nine-piece, young,” Chesonis said. “Their frontman, Johnny Burroughs, sings, dances and screams audiences into a revival-like frenzy. They have a really unique chemistry on stage.”

“Another thing about these two bands that kind of connected them to me was the word ‘soul,’” Chesonis said. “Wolf Jett is more internal and deeper. Then you’ve got full-frontal, external soul. The Burroughs wear it on their spangled sleeves and there’s no apologies for it. So the word ‘soul’ is figuring heavily for both. We’re all in a soul-searching time right now.”

Chesonis encouraged everyone to come out to Wright’s Mesa this summer.

“Small towns can put on a good party,” she said.

Music on the Mesa featuring Wolf Jett will take place Saturday, June 13. The Burroughs will perform Aug. 8.

The series takes place at the San Miguel County Fairgrounds. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., with the show starting at 7 p.m.

Those interested in becoming vendors for Music on the Mesa can apply at norwoodparkandrec.org.

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Michael Dougherty Looks for Attorney General Nomination

Michael Dougherty is one of five Democrats running to serve as Colorado’s next attorney general.

An ultrarunner, Dougherty lives in Boulder with his wife and two children. He began his career as a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and now serves as the district attorney for Boulder County.

Dougherty was in Telluride this week as part of a trip across the Western Slope. He stopped by KOTO to share more about his campaign.

Michael Doughtery (MD): I’ve had the privilege of being in public service my entire career. I’ve also had to lead communities through times of crisis. So just in the last eight years as the District Attorney of Boulder County, I led the investigation into the Marshall Fire, which took down a thousand homes, killed two people. I prosecuted the King Super Shooter who killed 10 wonderful community members at the King Supers and Table Mesa in Boulder. I prosecuted that case myself. I took it to trial and he was held fully accountable.

I’m also currently prosecuting the Pearl Street Fire Bomber, who committed a horrific anti-Semitic act of terror and hate last June 1 in Boulder. Each time, I’ve responded and done my very best and, thankfully, been able to deliver justice to the victims, their family members and community.

That’s the kind of experience I bring to the Attorney General’s office. Time and time again, I’ve been able to use the rule of law to help secure justice and to do the right thing. Sometimes that means dismissing a case or putting it through our restorative justice and diversion program. I’m a leader in criminal justice reform.

But oftentimes it also means holding people accountable when they do something really horrific and traumatic, whether it be a sex crime or a murder.

In fact, I still handle cases. I’ll share that with you. As an elected DA, that’s unusual. But I truly believe if you’re going to be a leader, you should be able to do the work you’re asking people to do. That extends to the AG’s office. If you’re taking Donald Trump to court, it cannot be your first time ever walking into a courtroom.

But to back up a step, I’m the proud grandson of Irish immigrants who came over from Ireland and settled in Brooklyn, New York. That’s where I was born. They came over with nothing but the shirts on their backs for the freedoms and opportunities offered to them then, a path that’s so much more difficult for others now, of course. Coming out of high school, we didn’t have much money, so I went to community college. I loaded trucks at UPS on the night shift, putting myself through community college and ultimately, after I went to law school, I returned to New York City to work for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. I served at the Manhattan DA’s office for 13 years. I specialized in sex crimes and homicide cases. I rose up through the ranks there, became the deputy chief of the sex crimes unit, then ultimately I was put in charge of the day-to-day management and leadership of the entire office of 1,300 people.

Most importantly, that’s where I met my wife, Antonia. It’s like a Law & Order rom-com episode. But she was the head of the Identity Theft and Cybercrime Unit in that office. We had twins who were babies. And we had been out to Colorado because I’m a trail runner, and I’ve done races out here. Every time we’d be back at the airport, we’d look at one another. I think so many others have the same story. But we’d look at one another saying, ‘Why are we going back to New York City?’ What prompted us to actually make the leap: I got a job offer from the Attorney General’s office, the office I now seek to lead. And we picked up from Brooklyn, New York, where we were living, and moved to Colorado — and never looked back.

Julia Caulfield (JC): When you think of the job of Attorney General, it’s a big position. It has a lot of weight to it within the state. When you think of what your vision of that office is, if you are to be elected, what does that look like?

MD: To me, it’s being the people’s lawyer. Not just the lawyer for people in the metro area, but the people’s lawyer for all of Colorado: standing up and fighting for consumers and workers, abortion access, our water and our environment, public safety, civil rights, and our democracy. The AG’s office has an incredibly important role and impact on the lives of everyday Coloradans, but especially now with the federal government acting often in a lawless manner. It’s the role of the attorney general to decide when and how to take the federal government to court, and to win those fights.

So to me, it’s an incredibly important office now more than ever. But I know that impact firsthand. After I arrived in Colorado, just a few months later, I had the honor of being put in charge of the entire criminal section for the attorney general’s office. I was made deputy attorney general. So I’ve been at the leadership table in that office and I have seen firsthand the impact that office has and should have on the lives of Coloradans.

JC: You list a number of key areas that you believe should be fought for. There might be folks who are listening and say, yeah, that sounds great. But on the flip side, it is one office. It’s one person who’s the attorney general. Within those limitations, how do you then actually get those things done, that huge list of things that are worth fighting for?

MD: That’s a key question, Julia, and you’re absolutely right to ask it. That’s why leadership experience matters so much. Having been a leader at the Manhattan DA’s office, the Colorado Attorney General’s office, and now for the last eight years as District Attorney of Boulder County, I recognize that being a leader means a couple things.

First, inspiring the people who work with and for you. Most of your listeners know that Phil Weiser is the attorney general. But Phil also oversees an office of 724 public servants who choose to work in public service and charge up that hill every day when they could be making much more money in the private sector, because they believe in the mission of the office and they trust the leader to direct them, guide them, and act in an ethical manner in doing so. That’s why having leadership experience and a proven track record, not only as a fighter but as a leader, matters so much in our next attorney general.

It’s also about recognizing that we have to prioritize. For example, you can’t take the Trump administration to court just because you want to get your face on cable TV. You should only take the Trump administration to court when Trump is violating the rule of law and harming Coloradans, and always using that as your guide. And that’s how I’ve always operated — bringing cases based on the evidence, the rule of law, and acting with integrity, never based on political affiliation or political ambition.

So to me, it’s about recognizing the priorities we have here in Colorado, in addition to defending our democracy and the rule of law, which I’m passionate about. But also, we have some real challenges. When you think about the water in Colorado right now and the river compact ending this year, the scarcity of water that we all face, that we see on the mountains right outside our windows, I think the role of the attorney general when it comes to water is absolutely critical — on the river compact, but also stopping private equity firms from trying to buy up water on the Western Slope, making sure that we’re protecting people in the San Luis Valley and protecting the water for our ranchers, farmers, and our beautiful waterways.

JC: If you had a magic wand and could change one thing in the state of Colorado as it relates to the Attorney General’s office that you think would make life better for Coloradans, what would you want to change?

MD: Tough question, because it’s a long list of things I want to make better for Coloradans. But to answer your question directly, the one thing I want to change is the divide between rural and metro communities. There’re so many communities outside the metro area that feel ignored and slighted by the legislature. And I think they’re right. And I think that’s valid. And I think their voice belongs at the table.

So one thing I’m going to change — and it won’t take a magic wand, but I’m determined to do it, and I promise you I will — is have more of the staff of the AG’s office living and working in the communities they’re sworn to serve. Phil Weiser has been an outstanding attorney general from my perspective, and he covers the state on a regular basis. I want to give the staff of the office the same opportunity: make the same salary, but work on the Western Slope. So when issues come up around water or public safety, or down in the San Luis Valley where they were devastated by fentanyl and opioids, having people on the ground there representing those communities instead of doing it over Zoom and over the phone, I think will go a long way in closing, at least for the AG’s office, the metro-rural divide. And I think that will help lift up Colorado.

Dougherty is running in a crowded Democratic primary field that includes Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, state Rep. Crisanta Duran, workers’ rights lawyer David Seligman and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Hetal Doshi.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face the Republican nominee in November.

Colorado District Attorney Michael Allen and Conner Pennington are running for the Republican nomination.

The winner of the race for Colorado attorney general will succeed Phil Weiser, who is term-limited and is currently running for governor.

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Telluride Enacts Water Restrictions

The town of Telluride has implemented outdoor water restrictions in response to anticipated dry spring and summer conditions and a below-average snowpack.

Effective immediately, outdoor watering is limited to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m.

Irrigation systems must be set at 70% to 75% of normal use, and all exterior water features must be turned off.

In addition to watering limits, the town is encouraging residents and businesses to adopt water-saving practices.

The town of Mountain Village implemented its own water restrictions earlier this week.

The restrictions in both communities will remain in place until they are lifted.

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Transportation Moves to Off Season Mode

As one of the more unusual winters on record comes to a close, the gondola between Telluride and Mountain Village will shut down for offseason maintenance.

While the gondola is closed, San Miguel Authority for Regional Transportation buses will provide free service between Telluride and Mountain Village, with stops in Lawson Hill.

Monday through Friday, buses will begin service at 5:55 a.m. in upper Lawson Hill and run until 11:53 p.m., traveling between Market Plaza in Mountain Village and Town Park in Telluride.

Express buses will also operate Monday through Friday between Telluride and Mountain Village.

SMART buses serving down-valley routes, including Norwood, Nucla, Naturita and Rico, will continue to operate.

The gondola will close Monday, April 6, and reopen for the summer May 21.

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USDA Moves Forest Service Headquarters to Salt Lake

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is moving the Forest Service headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, Utah, consolidating all of its research facilities in Fort Collins, Colorado, and making other structural changes.

Officials say the changes are intended to put land managers closer to the many national forests they oversee in the West.

But some worry the move could hollow out the agency by forcing experienced leaders to either relocate with their families or leave their jobs.

Josh Hicks, conservation campaigns director at the Wilderness Society, said the Forest Service has already experienced massive staffing and budget cuts in the past year.

“They need to be investing at the agency, not continually hacking away at it, forcing people to lay off, forcing people to move into places that don’t make sense,” Hicks said. “Invest in the agency, create some stability, create some stability instead of continuing to create chaos within the infrastructure here.”

Hicks said it is especially concerning that the Forest Service would undertake such a massive restructuring at the tail end of one of the driest years on record and what could be an explosive wildfire season for the West.

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Colorado Lawmakers Back Mail-In Voting

Colorado lawmakers plan to further strengthen the state’s election system in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order on mail ballots.

Trump’s order would tighten mail-in voting requirements, including adding bar codes to ballots and requiring states to send ballots to a federal list of approved voters.

As , Bente Birkeland reports for the Colorado Capitol News Alliance, lawmakers are considering adjustments to an elections bill to align with parts of the executive order.

Democratic Sen. Katie Wallace said the changes would address emergency declarations and the governor’s ability to respond to voting-related emergencies, similar to natural disasters.

“Some of what has been talked about is around emergency declarations and the governor’s ability to declare an emergency similar to as we see for natural disasters, but for voting,” Wallace said. “But it would allow him to create some funding, bring together experts…. It’s nice the federal level has shown us their cards while we’re still in session and while this bill is still moving through the chambers.”

The bill would require clerks to send out mail ballots earlier and open vote centers sooner, giving people more time to cast their ballots. The vast majority of Colorado voters from all political parties vote by mail.