In June, Routt County partnered with the Town of Hayden to apply for an Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund Grant through the Department of Local Affairs. On Nov. 15, Routt County was awarded the EIAF grant in the amount of $2,000,000.

This grant will assist with Phase I of the local Routt County Solar Array and Energy Storage System Project. The project was reviewed based on a variety of factors such as the connection to energy impact, degree of need, measurable outcomes, amount of request, relationship to community goals, level of local match and community support, management capacity, resiliency and readiness to go. 

The Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund Grant program assists political subdivisions that are socially and/or economically impacted by the development, processing or energy conversion of minerals and mineral fuels. Funds come from the state severance tax on energy and mineral production and from a portion of the state’s share of royalties paid to the federal government for mining and drilling of minerals and mineral fuels on federally-owned land.

---

---

“We are so proud to be able to make these types of infrastructure investments that improve local resilience and advance the goals of Routt County’s Master Plan and Climate Action Plan,” said Routt County Commissioner Sonja Macys. “Leveraging state and federal resources is possible thanks to the excellent working relationships we have with our municipalities and the solid reputation we’ve built together for getting things done for the people of Routt County.”

Routt County’s Solar Array and Energy Project has been divided into two phases by site. The Hayden Wastewater Treatment Plant has been selected and approved by the town of Hayden for use in Phase I. This 15-acre array is located in the south portion of the field at the plant at 1250 Jefferson Ave, Hayden. It is designed to avoid existing underground utilities and the floodplain, while also allowing for expansion of the WWTP as growth continues in the area.

---

---

Hayden Mayor Ryan Banks noted that when the town was approached to partner on this project, “we were eager to support the effort in the most impactful, cost-effective way.”

“Turns out that by bringing land to the table, we were able to fill a needed gap in making this project a reality,” Banks said. “Sitting the project at our Wastewater Treatment Plant also benefits local residents, as we will be replacing an antiquated backup generator there with a more modernized system, thus improving local resilience.”

Details about Phase I of Solar Array and Energy Project:

• Proposed photovoltaic (PV) system size: 2MW-AC/ 2.5MW-DC.

• Yearly production: 4,498,741.0 kWh. This system will offset 100% of Routt County and the Town of Hayden’s electrical use for internal operations, thus saving taxpayers money year over year.

• Estimated PV yield: 1,767.3 kWh/kWp.

• A Battery Energy Storage Syste is proposed to meet resilience goals. Size is 175kW/500kWh. 

• The BESS will be located near existing electrical service equipment for the WWTP pump.

• The BESS proposed use is to provide resiliency back up power to the WWTP pumps during short utility outages. This reduces the need to turn on diesel generators. 

Phase 2 will be a comparable size and system at a site identified for interconnection eligibility.

State legislators were quick to weigh in on the development.

Rep. Meghan Lukens, House District 26, expressed her excitement about the DOLA money.

“This funding underscores our community’s commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability — aligning with our goals to address energy impacts and build a stronger, more adaptable future,” Lukens said. “Thank you to our leaders in Routt County for your forward-thinking with this innovative project.”

Sen. Dylan Roberts, District 8, also congratulated Routt County on the award.

“Routt County is much deserving of this substantial grant award and I am thrilled to see this investment from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to help Northwest Colorado with its economic and energy transition goals,” he said. “It is so important that these dollars, generated from severance taxes related to energy extraction in our region, stay in our region to support vital local projects and that is exactly what this is. Congratulations and thank you to the Routt County Commissioners and local leadership who secured these funds and for the important work that will be done with them to expand renewable energy production in the region.”