City of Cortez, CO
This webpage has been created to help improve local solar market conditions and share the latest industry information to residents and stakeholders in the City of Cortez. Below you will find key solar market indicators and essential resources for residents, businesses, solar industry and government officials. There is also a direct link to the City's interactive policy roadmap designed to increase local solar installations by making it easier and more cost-effective to ‘go solar’.
Cortez is the Montezuma County seat and is located in the “High Desert” area of Colorado. The City is situated in an excellent area for solar due its above average solar energy resource.
Community Profile
Residential Solar Potential
Upgrade to LEADER plan to display your community's solar potential.Roadmap
The ASTI team has worked in close coordination with the City to develop a customized, interactive solar roadmap containing guidance on how to transform the local solar market. Each recommendation in the roadmap is supported with relevant reports, case studies, examples, and templates to support local and regional implementation efforts.
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2 of 3 Goals Achieved |
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Permitting Process[P5] Post Permit and Inspection Process Information and Fee Schedules Online(80)
General permit, fees, and inspection info online, but not solar specific
Post information on the solar permitting and inspection process online in an easily accessible location. This should include the process steps, timelines, fees, point of contact, and any other pertinent information. If none of these are required, simply note that the process is handled through DORA and include appropriate link.
[P7] Base Residential Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(85)
Currently no fee for solar PV projects
Move to flat fee <$250 or base fee on cost recovery.
[P8] Base Commercial Permit Fee on Actual Cost to Administer(55)
Currently no fee for solar PV projects
Move to flat fee <$500 or base fee on cost recovery.
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2 of 5 Goals Achieved |
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[Z2] Promote Solar Ready Construction via Ordinances or Building Codes(15)
No solar specific ordinaces for construction
Explore creation of municipal ordinances which require new homes and buildings to be built solar-ready
[Z3] Require Solar on New Construction(4)
No solar specific mandates for new construction
Explore implementing solar mandates for new construction for all buildings or a segment of the new building stock
[Z4] Incorporate Solar Priorities into Comprehensive or Energy Action Plans(66)
Solar references for new construction in 2008 Comp Plan
The City has solar-related language in its 2008 Comprehensive Plan.
City currently meets goal.
[Z5] Update Zoning Standards and Review for Solar Installations(92)
No reference to solar in land use code or formal design review standards
Ensure the zoning codes and ordinances that govern solar installations, such as setbacks, height limits and lot use provisions, do not restrict property owners' ability to install solar.
[Z7] Limit Impact of Restrictive Private Covenants(81)
No ordinances creating a barrier to solar
The City does not have ordinances which create a barrier to solar.
City currently at market best practice
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1 of 2 Goals In Progress |
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[F6] Encourage Local Financial Stakeholders to Establish New Solar Loan Programs(63)
Minimal awareness of finance options now
Two local banks started offering solar loans as part of the Solarize La Plata campaign
The First National Bank of Durango provided a fixed term loan with low closing costs and First Southwest Bank provided a variable prime plus one percent rate with no closing costs.
[F7] Promote Availability of Existing Solar Finance Options and Evaluation Tools(38)
Minimal awareness of these tools now
Consolidate and provide online tools for potential solar system buyers to evaluate and value solar projects for their homes and businesses.
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3 of 4 Goals In Progress |
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[M1] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Residential Sector(40)
No similar aggregations known to exist locally
Cortez staying engaged with residential solarize program being explored regionally
Establish a working group of community leaders and financing providers to evaluate aggregated purchasing options for residential solar based on successful case studies. Follow the model used in campaigns in La Plata and Archuleta County This goal supports policies 9.6.14 and 9.6.15 of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan "Evaluate solar projects in the City, and pursue opportunities to expand and enhance solar programs when appropriate. Promote distributor generation and the location of generation scale clean, renewable electricity in and around Cortez."
[M2] Support Aggregate Procurement Program for Commercial Sector(6)
No similar aggregations known to exist locally
Establish a working group of businesses and property owners to aggregate their facilities and buying power for solar evaluation and procurement to decrease energy costs while demonstrating their leadership. This goal supports policies 9.6.14 and 9.6.15 of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan "Evaluate solar projects in the City, and pursue opportunities to expand and enhance solar programs when appropriate. Promote distributor generation and the location of generation scale clean, renewable electricity in and around Cortez."
[M7] Publicize Solar Workforce Development Resources and Industry Training Tools(21)
Minimal level of information currently available
An outreach event was held in January 2013, with the Southwest Solar Industries Association being invited and attending, promoting local solar programs and resources.
There is a strong group of contractors in the region
[M8] Provide Solar Educational Resources to Constituents(77)
Minimal level of information currently available
The Fourcore website now has extensive solar info online
Learn more at http://www.fourcore.org/
Resources
