Elbert County commissioners weigh options for solar and battery‑storage rules

Elbert County commissioners spent a March 12 work session directing staff to draft regulations for utility‑scale solar and battery energy storage systems, focusing on what the county wants to achieve, which review process to use and safety and financial safeguards for long‑term operations.

Staff member Jennifer Jones told the board she had compiled example language from several Colorado counties and proposed discussing (1) the board’s goals, (2) process options, (3) development standards and (4) how solar, battery storage, wind and agrivoltaics should be handled. “I sort of outlined four main topics,” she said, asking for guidance on which approaches to pursue.

Commissioner Dallas Schroeder said the primary aim should be consistency: residents and applicants need clear, predictable standards. “We need to have regulations in place so that it’s consistent for applicants,” Schroeder said, arguing that agreed standards for setbacks, permit length and submittal requirements would reduce ad‑hoc staff negotiations.

Lance Engles, who explained the statutory context, said 1041 regulations (areas and activities of state interest)…