By Shannon Lukens for Steamboat Radio News/Birchwood Communications LLC.
A tour of solar projects in the Yampa Valley was held Tuesday. In Moffat County, it included the solar field at Yampa Valley Electric, the Craig Water Treatment Plant, Moffat County High School and the Moffat County Courthouse. That’s where we joined Roy Tipton, the Project Specialist for the Moffat County Courthouse project.
“So as part of the courthouse project, we consolidated five different facilities under one roof. That gives us efficiency, brings everybody here, built a building to the current energy code. This field is part of that same plan to reduce costs overall and be more efficient with the county. So this field saves us about $30,000 a year, off of our utility bill to YVEA.”
The solar panel tour in the afternoon included the Hayden Center, Hayden Police Department and Yampa Valley Regional Airport. Town Manager Mathew Mendisco also says solar panels are at the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Hayden, which makes a difference throughout Hayden.
“Because it helps the community save on its energy bills as we see infrastructure and rates going up.”
Thirteen solar projects in Moffat and Routt counties have produced enough energy to power more than 1,300 average American homes for one year. The solar garden at YVEA have generated more than 22.5 million kilowatt hours of energy since 2023, enough to power more than 2,100 average American homes for a year.
More on the Story — Yampa Valley solar projects were toured Tuesday in the Yampa Valley
Repaving work continues along Highway 40 for a 14-mile stretch between the Xcel Energy Hayden Station to about five miles west of Steamboat Springs. This includes work along the rockfall area of Mt. Harris Canyon, where it is down to one lane. Traffic is alternating. The Hayden School District has sent out information to parents to expect delays along bus routes that have afternoon drop-offs in Milner. Dropoffs may be slightly later than normal. Work is being done through November.
April 4, 2026 — Fourteen miles of US Hwy 40 through Milner to be repaved starting April 6
Routt County Road 18 is temporarily closed for about two miles, from the cattle guard below to the Stagecoach dam to the gate at Pleasant Valley. It’s because of snow melt and poor conditions on the road right now.
Yampa River Botanic Park is open for the season, as of Tuesday morning.
More on the Story — Yampa River Botanic Park opens for the season
It’s the Month of the Young Child in Routt County, as proclaimed Tuesday by the Routt County Board of County Commissioners.
More on the Story – Routt County Commissioners proclaim April as the Month of the Young Child
All are invited to a ribbon-cutting at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon for two new Little Free Libraries. They’re near the Howelsen Tunnel along the Yampa River Core Trail, and behind Emerald Park near the river entrance at Yampa River Botanic Park. It’s a place where you can share a book, or take a book. Steamboat Springs Parks & Rec is hosting the ribbon cutting, which will be at the Howelsen Hill library location.
More on the Story — Two new Little Free Libraries are along the Core Trail
SBT GVRL is hosting a free Happy Hour, at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, at the Steamboat Social Club.
Link to RSVP for Spring Happy Hour
Volunteer spots are also open for this year’s SBT GRVL ride which is June 28. Volunteering gets you a guaranteed spot for the event in 2027.
Thursday, April 9, at 7 a.m. is the deadline to register for the upcoming school year for the Ski Town Early Learning Center. This is for Infants through Pre-K. The Ski Town Early Learning Center is at 1647 Mid Valley Drive, and is formerly the Heritage Park Preschool. Registration is on a lottery system for new families.
Register at SkiTownEarlyLearning.com
Questions? Email: melinda@Skitownearlylearning.com
The 14th annual Yampa Valley Wellness Conference is Thursday, April 9, at the Hayden Center. The conference features speakers and workshops with interactive breakout sessions. It’s presented by The Health Partnership. A link for tickets is on the Events Calendar on our website.
Yampa Valley Wellness Conference
All are invited tomorrow to a Community Outreach meeting with local fire chiefs and the Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council. It stats at 6 p.m. Thursday at Bud Werner Library.
More on the Story — Routt County Fire Chiefs want to prepare the public for the upcoming wildfire season
In High School Sports
April 8 – SSHS LAX 4 p.m. game vs. Vail Mountain AWAY
April 8 — SSHS girls soccer 6 p.m. game vs. Roaring Fork HS in Carbondale