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SolSmart Designees
Pueblo County
Colorado
Population: 168,424
Designation Level:
SolSmart Bronze
Year Designated:
2017
“SolSmart helped put Pueblo ‘on the map’ and attract new renewable energy developers and interest groups to the community,” said Laura Getts, Pueblo County Energy Coordinator. “As a result of the SolSmart process, we have a much greater awareness of our community’s strengths and flaws regarding solar permitting, policy, and activism, and have since pursued planning and zoning code changes that would address lingering barriers to solar installation.”
- Created an online permitting checklist, increasing transparency for community members and solar installers.
- Reviewed local zoning codes and identified restrictions that intentionally or unintentionally prohibit solar PV development
Solar energy is no longer an “alternative” energy source. Especially in Pueblo, Colorado, where we are fortunate enough to see over 300 days of glorious sunshine per year. It makes perfect sense for us to create systems that cut red tape and clear the way for our residents and businesses to implement and leverage solar. Following SolSmart’s recommendations is allowing us to do exactly this, and make effective use of solar in our community.
- Chris Markuson, Pueblo County’s Director of Economic Development & GIS
