16.4

Risk Grade

Excellent

Best solar irradiance in Colorado; extreme SE plains; flat, very low density; almost zero opposition; Xcel transmission access; HB 23-1232 pathway available for large projects

Assessment Snapshot

Population

3651

State Rank

Compliance

14%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

None codified

Zoning Mechanism

Administrative/Building Permit

Acreage Caps

No cap

Density Caps

Size Restrictions

No restrictions

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Strongly supportive — depopulating rural county welcomes economic development and tax base

Basis for Assessment

County assessor records, CO Secretary of State filings, local landowner interviews (secondary)

Political Risk Factors

Improving

Board Members

Tom Kerr (R, 2026) | Jake Coen (R, 2027) | Danny Hatch (R, 2026)

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Xcel Energy (PSCO) / WECC

Utilities

Xcel Energy (PSCO)

State Permitting Process

Administrative permit; HB 23-1232 CEO review >50 MW; decommissioning bond

State Incentives

Federal ITC; Colorado Clean Energy Fund; Xcel RE procurement

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Two utility-scale solar (combined ~80 MW, 2021–24); one smaller agricultural solar

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Baca County, CO — Solar Development Risk Assessment