Grand County imposes two-year moratorium on commercial solar, wind and battery projects

Grand County commissioners voted June 24 to impose a two-year moratorium on new commercial-scale solar, wind and battery storage projects in unincorporated Grand County.

The county’s Community Development director, Chris Manguso, recommended the moratorium after staff research showed many Colorado counties already have solar land-use rules and because much of Grand County is public land and conservation easement. "If we do not place a moratorium while we form these regulations ... we could end up with a large-scale solar farm simply because we don't have regulations," Manguso said.

The measure covers new energy-collection facilities larger than 25 kilowatts and takes effect immediately; the ban runs through June 24, 2027. Planning Commission had recommended a two-year moratorium and asked that wind and battery storage be included in the scope.

Commissioners said they want the moratorium to allow time for public input during the county’s upcoming master plan update and to study examples from other counties, including Weld and Eagle. One commissioner noted the environmental and landscape tradeoffs counties are seeing with utility-scale projects, including disposal and siting concerns. County staff said household- and small-site solar (under 25 kW) remain permitted under existing rules.

The vote followed staff presentations and commissioner discussion about local constraints — the county’s limited privately developable acreage, wetland and wildlife concerns — and a desire to align any rules with the master-plan process. Commissioners asked staff to include the topic in master-plan outreach and to model potential local rules on examples from other Colorado counties.

The board authorized staff to proceed with the moratorium ordinance language and public engagement tied to the master plan.