Agrivoltaics & Beyond Workshop to Explore Energy Development, Property Rights, and Rural Conservation

Free November 19 workshop in Burlington will bring together experts, landowners, local leaders, and emergency responders

BURLINGTON, Colo. – As interest in renewable energy and other large-scale development continues to grow across Eastern Colorado, landowners and local governments are facing important decisions about agricultural land use, natural resources, property rights, and community infrastructure.

The Yuma County Conservation District (YCCD), in partnership with Northeast Colorado Outdoors, will host “Agrivoltaics & Beyond: Balancing Agriculture, Conservation, Property Rights, and Rural Development in Eastern Colorado” on Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Burlington Community Center in Burlington, Colorado. The workshop is free to attend, and lunch will be provided.

The workshop will provide practical, nonpartisan information to help agricultural producers, landowners, county commissioners, planning and zoning officials, conservation districts, and other community members better understand the opportunities, challenges, and long-term implications associated with energy development.

Agrivoltaics, the practice of combining solar energy production with agricultural uses such as grazing, crop production, or pollinator habitat, will serve as the foundation for the day's discussions. Presentations will also explore broader issues surrounding solar and wind energy, infrastructure development, land management, and community preparedness.

Topics will include agricultural compatibility with renewable energy, wildlife and habitat impacts, soil protection and reclamation, landowner leases and property rights, electrical infrastructure, and local planning considerations.

A featured afternoon session, “Energy Development & Community Emergency Preparedness,” will bring together emergency-management and fire-service professionals with experience responding to incidents involving energy infrastructure. The panel will explore the challenges rural communities and volunteer fire departments may face as new development occurs, including emergency-response capabilities, specialized training, equipment needs, and coordination with developers and facility operators.

The workshop will also feature presentations from representatives of the Colorado State Land Board, Colorado Agrivoltaics Learning Center, Colorado State University, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Department of Agriculture, YW Electric, Keller Law, and HUWA Enterprises.

Attendees will have opportunities to ask questions and interact directly with presenters during afternoon “Ask the Experts” roundtable discussions, designed to encourage conversation and connect participants with additional resources.

The purpose of the workshop is not to advocate for or against energy development, but to provide reliable information that helps landowners and local decision-makers evaluate proposals, ask informed questions, and consider the potential impacts on agriculture, conservation, property rights, and their communities.

“These are decisions that can affect agricultural operations and rural communities for generations,” said Tanya Fell, YCCD District Manager. “We want landowners and local leaders to have access to reliable information, understand the questions they should be asking, and hear from people with firsthand experience before those decisions are made.”

Registration is free, but advance registration is requested to assist with lunch and workshop planning. Participants may register through the Yuma County Conservation District website at https://www.ycconservation.com/events/eastern-colorado-agrivoltaics-beyond-workshops-1

 or contact the District at 970-332-3107, ext. 9002, or yccd77@gmail.com.

The workshop is hosted by the Yuma County Conservation District in partnership with Northeast Colorado Outdoors, with support from the Colorado State Conservation Board and Colorado Department of Agriculture.