Posted inClimate, Energy, News

Delta County thought solar panels were a baaaaad idea. But what if there were 1,000 sheep grazing under them?

The question before the Delta County Commission this month is whether 1,000 sheep can forge a path for dozens of solar panels — after the commissioners rejected a solar project citing concerns about losing farmland. In March, the commission, on a 2-1 vote, rejected an 80-megawatt solar project covering 475 acres just outside of Delta, […]

Posted inBusiness, Energy, News

After long battle, 3 Colorado electric co-ops may renegotiate with Tri-State instead of leaving outright

In the jockeying for a new relationship between Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and the rural cooperatives it supplies with electricity, three Colorado co-ops are seeking partial contracts with the power wholesaler — instead of leaving outright. Tri-State and some of its cooperatives have been battling over the association’s long-term contract, which requires members to […]

Posted inBusiness, Energy, Environment, News

United Power should be able to leave Tri-State for less than a tenth of a proposed $1.6B exit fee, federal report says

In the running battle over how much a suburban Denver electric cooperative must pay to leave the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, the co-op picked up some ammunition in a report by a federal energy economist that calls the association’s exit fee calculations flawed and unreasonable. The exit fee for Brighton-based United Power should be […]

Posted inBusiness, Climate, Energy, News, Politics and Government

United Power makes good on threat to break its contract with Tri-State Generation

After years of legal sparring, United Power, the largest electric cooperative in the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, is moving to break with the wholesale power provider. The Brighton-based co-op filed notice of its intent to withdraw from the association, effective January 2024, with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The FERC oversees Tri-State. United follows […]

Posted inBusiness, Economy, Energy, Environment, News, Outdoors

Coal is fading in northwest Colorado. The region is betting its economic future on another natural resource.

DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT — The 10 rafts are secured to the banks of the Green River. The tents are up. The sun is setting over the sandstone canyon walls. As 30 rafters dig into steaming bowls of chili, it’s time to start planning for the future. How can northwest Colorado entice and manage visitors, protect […]