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Grand County enacts two-year moratorium on commercial solar, wind and battery projects
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners adopted a two-year moratorium (effective June 24, 2025) on commercial/utility-scale solar, wind and battery storage facilities larger than 25 kW in unincorporated Grand County to allow the master-plan update and public input to guide future siting and regulation.
Community Development staff told the board that an absence of county regulations for commercial-scale renewable energy projects left a risk that large utility projects could proceed without adequate land-use standards. Planning Director Chris Manguso said the county reviewed other Colorado counties and recommended a moratorium while regulations are drafted and the master-plan update solicits public input.
"We don't have regulations for large-scale commercial solar and wind, and if we don't 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. Planning commission recommended a two-year moratorium; staff initially proposed one year but the commission favored two. The moratorium covers applications, processing, review and construction of any commercial/utility energy collection facility over 25 kilowatts in unincorporated Grand County, and is effective from June 24, 2025 through June 24, 2027.
Commissioners discussed scope, alternatives used by other counties, potential inclusion of siting rules or 1041-style regulations and public outreach during the master-plan process. The board voted to adopt the two-year moratorium and instructed staff to include the topic in master-plan outreach and to study examples from other counties.
