MEEKER | At the May 3 meeting, Meeker trustees and staff heard a presentation from Bryce Carter, program director for the Solar United Neighbors Colorado co-op.
The co-op is a vendor neutral non-profit that provides opportunities for residents and businesses to participate in a “group buy” program that saves costs on solar installation and equipment. Solar United Neighbors (SUN) has done about 70 projects in Mesa County, and plans to launch the Northwest Solar Co-Op for Routt, Moffat and Rio Blanco counties on May 24.
The non-profit provides education and information about solar installations at not cost to interested parties. “We want to support education in the community,” Carter said, “to build economic resiliency and environmental resiliency.”
Meeker-area resident Deirdre Macnab, who serves on the advisory board for SUN, said because solar installations can be cost-prohibitive, the co-op can provide a “volume discount” averaging 15-20% for participants.
“There’s no financial obligation for getting a quote,” Macnab said. The co-op provides information sessions for those interested.
“It is a favorable financial investment for businesses and homeowners. You have to have a south-facing roof or enough room in your yard,” she said. “Most people stay on the grid and feed any excess back into the grid. Over 10-15 years you’ve paid off your system.”
Representing Meeker Skijor, Janelle Urista asked the board for approval in planning the next skijor event. Event organizers would like to use Ute Park going forward, and next year’s event will be held on New Year’s Eve weekend, instead of in February, thanks to a change in the skijor calendar.
“We would be the final event of 2022 and the first event of 2023,” Urista said. The group has been given permission to use snowmaking equipment from Ridgway if needed.
Head brewer Tyler Frye with Smoking River Brewing Co., shared potential plans to host a brew festival the third weekend in September as a fundraiser for the Meeker Arts and Cultural Council. “Western Colorado is hop growing region,” he said, “but there’s no regional fresh hop fest in Colorado.” Such an event could bring in a number of visitors. Frye said they’re also trying to connect a mountain bike race that would end at Ute Park.
Town Administrator Mandi Etheridge updated the board on the status of a GOCO grant application for the river project. The town requested $500K, but the grant was not awarded. Etheridge said feedback on the application was positive, but “we just weren’t far enough along with the project” and said GOCO recommended reapplying for the next round.
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
