Local Govs Renewable Energy Projects

The bill requires the director of the energy and carbon management commission in the department of natural resources, at the request of a local government or tribal government, to provide technical support concerning:

• The development of local codes governing wind, solar, energy storage, and energy transmission projects (renewable energy projects); or
• The review of proposed renewable energy projects.

For all renewable energy projects, At the request of an owner or operator of a renewable energy facility (facility owner), local government, or tribal government, the division of parks and wildlife shall provide the facility owner, local government, or tribal government a set of best management practices for to avoid, minimize, and mitigate wildlife impacts of renewable energy projects. The best management practices may be incorporated into project plans at the discretion of the facility owner, local government, or tribal government. The division shall also identify project-specific habitat impacts and high-priority habitats based on the best available science.

The bill requires the Colorado energy office, in cooperation with the department of local affairs and the department of natural resources, to develop a repository of model codes and ordinances for that support renewable energy projects for the purpose of providing conceptual frameworks that local governments and tribal governments may consider and adapt to suit local circumstances and address local energy resources. On or before September 30, 2025, the Colorado energy office must submit to the general assembly a report that:

• Evaluates local government processes to determine whether reasonable pathways for the siting of renewable energy siting exist in areas with suitable wind and solar resources projects ;
• Identifies areas of lower and lowest environmental and habitat conflict for the development of renewable energy projects and recommends options for streamlining development in these areas; and
• Evaluates wildlife mitigation, decommissioning, and community benefits agreements or potential agreements that reflect discussion between key community stakeholders.

For projects proposed after June 30, 2024, the bill prohibits a local government from granting a development permit for the construction of a facility in any area that is included within the land relinquished and conveyed by the confederated bands of the Ute nation to the United States in the Brunot Agreement of September 13, 1873, unless the local government first consults with the tribal governments of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe concerning the potential impacts to hunting, fishing, and gathering rights related to the construction of the facility. For the 2024-25 state fiscal year, the bill appropriates $307,991 to the department of natural resources from the wildlife cash fund. For the 2024-25 state fiscal year, the bill appropriates $95,490 to the department of natural resources from the energy and carbon management cash fund for use by the energy and carbon management commission.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)