During a recent government meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding the proposed biochar facility by Palatera, which is currently unlicensed in Colorado. A speaker highlighted that Palatera's business license, initially obtained in 2017, has lapsed, questioning the ethics of allowing a company with a questionable track record to operate in the community.

Sheila Wheeler, a resident of Dolores, passionately addressed the council, emphasizing the moral and ethical implications of permitting the biochar plant. She expressed fears about potential contamination of air, water, and soil, citing the toxic pollutants that could result from the facility's operations. Wheeler criticized the council for previous zoning decisions that she believes have jeopardized the health and safety of local residents and the environment.

She outlined a series of perceived missteps by the council, including the issuance of a high-impact permit to Ironwood, which had multiple compliance failures, and the acceptance of Palatera's application despite concerns about its environmental impact. Wheeler urged the council to reconsider their approach, likening their repeated mistakes to a dog that fails to learn from falling into the same hole multiple times.

The meeting concluded without further public comments, as the council moved on to other agenda items, leaving the future of the biochar facility uncertain amidst growing community apprehension.