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LEADVILLE, Colo. — A Leadville-based conservation organization is using solar energy to offset a significant budget shortfall caused by federal funding cuts, turning to renewable power to sustain its environmental mission.
Cloud City Conservation Center lost approximately $300,000 after the Environmental Protection Agency eliminated its Thriving Communities grant — one of several federal cuts that impacted the organization’s budget roughly a year ago.
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To compensate, the center is now leveraging ownership of 10 community solar gardens stretching from Leadville to the Front Range.
“We purchased 10 community solar gardens about two years ago now, and they help support our operations costs as an organization, which has really come in handy since we lost some federal funding about a year ago,” said Emily Olsen with Cloud City Conservation Center.
The 10 solar gardens collectively generate enough energy to power approximately 1,000 homes. Among them, the Lake County Community Solar Garden — situated near Leadville at nearly 10,000 feet elevation — frequently produces the most energy of the group, benefiting from intense high-altitude sunlight. The panels adjust their position every 15 minutes to track the sun.
While the solar revenue has not fully replaced the lost federal funding, it has provided meaningful financial relief.
The center continues pursuing its dual mission of environmental conservation and growing food for local food banks.
