The Valley Range Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) plant that a TEXAS COMPANY wants to build in front of MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK (MVNP) would have thousands of solar panels obliterating 900 acres (1.5 square miles) of natural, rural and scenic beauty.

The BESS would cover seven football fields with 20-foot containers, each holding thousands of lithium-ion battery cells. Its footprint is pictured in yellow in the above photo and Mesa Verde is in the lower left. The  batteries are a serious, potential fire hazard. From 2019 to 2025 there have been 22 battery fires at BESS plants in the US alone, a number of which were major disasters requiring evacuations due to toxic smoke and heavy metals.

This monstrous eyesore will be visible from parts of Highway 160, thus ruining the drive’s scenic views of the majestic Mesa Verde Cliffs. It will also be HIGHLY visible from MVNP’s scenic overlooks. Instead of seeing, photographing, and admiring the spectacular Montezuma Valley; park visitors will immediately be drawn to this monstrosity. 

Please go to Montezuma County Website, Planning and Zoning Department where there is a place to write and send an email to the P&Z Department, and tell them in no uncertain terms to not approve this project at this location.

Read about the journey to this place sacred to Native Americans at:

https://nativeamersacredplaces.blogspot.com/2025/08/towaoc-journey.html