DELTA, Colo. (KJCT) – Delta County’s final EV charging station in its EV Infrastructure Project was installed in the North Fork Valley in Crawford.
This project was led by Wendell Koontz, Delta County Commissioner of District 3, who said, “This was a great economic opportunity for Delta County. The county is one of the last best places, and we wanted tourists and others to have the opportunity to charge and come see us.” The idea sprang up in 2023, and Delta County received a grant from Charge Ahead Colorado. They also had help from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The five chargers installed were in the City of Delta, Cedarredge, Hotchkiss, and Crawford. Each charger costs $130,000 to buy and install, and Delta County officials are confident these chargers will be of good use. They are encouraging members of their community to take advantage of the new EV chargers. The initial charge rate for some chargers is set at $0.39/kilowatt hour. They plan to bring prices to market rate in early 2025.
We ask locals about the project:
What do you think about Delta County’s EV Infrastructure Project?
Elmer and Jan Rudeen said, “Well, as far as we are concerned, there is a need for electric vehicles. However, the push the government has given is way out of balance.”
Roi Brown answered, “Delta is the town that you stop in on your way to another town— I hate to say it, but it is a fact. It is really super cool to do that. You know, everyone from Telluride to Junction all the way down the Western Slope can benefit from that.”
Should more EV charging stations be added?
Elmer and Jan Rudeen told us, “Never have I seen an electric vehicle up there parked and getting it charged.”
Roi Brown said, “I think they should pop a couple more. It should be according to the rise in electric vehicles—which is coming, it is having its heyday.”
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