Commissioners can't discuss solar proposal before hearing, county says
Montezuma County says residents with questions about the latest solar facility proposal should go to the Planning Department, send written comments, or speak at the public hearing.
The following is a notice from Montezuma County, posted September 17, 2026.
If you are planning to attend an upcoming BOCC workshop, meeting, or Coffee with the County to discuss the latest solar facility proposal, please read below. The Commissioners are NOT able to discuss any proposal prior to the public hearing.
Why Can’t Commissioners Discuss a Planning & Zoning Application Before the Hearing?
Residents sometimes contact the County Commissioners with questions or concerns about a proposed development, subdivision, land-use change, or other Planning & Zoning application. While Commissioners want to hear from the community, there are important limits on what they can discuss before an application comes before them for a public hearing.
The reason is fairness and due process.
Planning and zoning decisions are made through a formal process. Commissioners need to consider the application, staff reports, recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Board, applicable regulations, and public testimony as part of the official hearing process.
Discussing a specific application ahead of the hearing could create concerns about prejudging the matter or giving one side an opportunity to influence a decision outside the established process.
What can you do?
If you have questions or concerns about a specific application, you can:
- Contact the Planning Department for information about the application and process.
- Submit written comments by emailing planning@co.montezuma.co.us.
- Attend Planning and Zoning Commission meetings and the public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners to provide comments when the application comes before them.
Your voice matters but the public hearing is the appropriate place for Commissioners to hear your thoughts and consider them as part of the decision-making process.
Source: Montezuma County · Montezuma County on Facebook