Info

Smoke, heat, and drought in Shavano Valley

CCL-Montrose

We are a nonprofit, citizen-based, all volunteer organization

501-c-4 status or social welfare organization” which means our group is intended to promote the common good and general welfare of the community rather than just charitable, educational, or religious purposes.
nonprofit which means any funds we have are invested in our mission.
volunteer board with chair, co-chair, secretary, treasurer, Board and support.

Our mission is …

To reduce the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the Uncompahgre Valley which will reduce the increasing heat leading to droughts in the valley
Create projects with partners that will reduce GHG
Work to educate people on the many ways we can reduce GHG emissions in the valley

We are focused on the Uncompahgre Valley

Our area is defined between the small Town of Colona to the City of Delta, the valley bottom to the surrounding ridgelines of the Uncompahgre Plateau and Storm King.

We are a chapter of a larger organization

Citizen’s Climate Lobby is a national organization with chapters across the U.S.
We are hyper-focused locally on local issues
Working in partnership instead of politically.

Farmer’s Market

During the summer months, we have a booth at the Montrose Farmer’s Market where we provide information about climate, GHG emissions, local impacts, and actions individuals can take.

Climate Action Plan

We wrote a Climate Action Plan that addresses Energy use, Buildings, Transportation, and Agriculture and specific actions that can be taken with partners to decrease GHG in The Uncompahgre Valley

Working with local governments

We gave public testimony over a 2 1/2 year process with Montrose County on solar power regulations, and have written several articles Thanking the City of Montrose for their solar roof, The City of Delta for their electrification of the Armory Building, and Delta County for their approval of The Garnet Mesa Solar Field.

Collaborating with partners

Resilience advisory board

We are currently working to increase our support across the Valley by asking individuals to sign a support letter. With enough support we want to propose a Resilience Advisory Board to local governments to review projects through a climate change lens.

Call list

We are organizing a call list to make it easier for groups in the valley to support one another’s missions where we have overlap.

Organizing around issues

Datacenters

We are working to identify the facts about datacenters and have discussions to find out if we, as a Valley, want a datacenter here and if so under what conditions.

Supporting Agriculture and agrivoltaics

The agriculture community has been hit hard by recent droughts with 72% of operators saying they have been directly effected. Our current winter shows our snowfall is 50% of normal so there will less water this summer. CCLMontrose wants to work with the ag community to pursue opportunities with agrivoltaics. Solar panels will cool the ground meaning less evapotranspiration. In addition forage can be grown under the panels for animals to graze and seek shade. This has been done in Delta with 1500 sheep grazing under solar panels at Garnet Mesa Solar Field.

Promoting projects that decrease emissions

We have written articles in our local newspaper that have applauded the City of Montrose for installing a solar garage at its new Public Safety Building, and an article about the City of Delta for restoring the Old Armory building and electrifying it.

Practical Climate Action We Can Start This Year

Climate conditions in the Uncompahgre Valley are changing. Rising temperatures, and drought stress are already affecting water, agriculture, and our local economy. The good news: practical solutions exist that can strengthen our economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

This effort focuses on projects we can begin now, using partnerships to deliver visible, local benefits.

What’s Happening Locally

Average temperatures are increasing
Forests, watersheds and agriculture are under stress
Drought is directly impacting over 70% of agricultural producers (Agriculture on the Western Slope, Nathan Perry2026). These trends affect water security, food production, public health, and long-term economic stability.

Our Approach

We encourage renewable energy whenever possible that will:

Maintain lower costs for electricity
Improve reliability and resilience
Support agriculture and local jobs
Keep decisions and dollars local

First Projects We Can Start This Year

1. Solar & Community Energy Readiness

Solar assessments for public buildings, farms, and businesses
Group-purchase or co-op solar programs
Battery storage where it improves resilience

Benefit: Lower energy costs and increased energy independence.

2. Home & Farm Energy Efficiency

Energy audits for homes and ag facilities
Weatherization, insulation, and efficient heat pumps
Maintain older buildings and high-impact upgrades

Benefit: Immediate energy savings and improved comfort while maintaining historical buildings

3. Agricultural Efficiency & Resilience

Efficient irrigation and water-saving technologies
Agrivoltaics with On-farm renewable energy for crops pumps and operations
Soil-health practices that improve drought tolerance

Benefit: Protects farm viability while reducing costs.

4. Transportation Savings

EV charging at public sites and corridors
Gradual electrification of municipal and fleet vehicles
E-bike and short-trip alternatives

Benefit: Reduced fuel costs and cleaner air.

5. Local Workforce & Partnerships

Training for local contractors and installers CMU new HVAC Grant
Coordination across towns, schools, utilities, and ag producers
Leverage state and federal funding to maximize local impact

Benefit: Jobs, skills, and economic return stay in the valley.

Why Start Now

These projects do not require lifestyle changes. They reduce costs, improve resilience, and prepare the valley for conditions already underway. If we act early, we choose the path.
If we wait, the path is chosen for us.