29.6

Risk Grade

Excellent

University city with strong clean energy ethos; limited utility-scale land (open space protections, mountainous terrain); Boulder Municipal Utility adds complexity; overall supportive but land constrained

Assessment Snapshot

Population

330758

State Rank

#10

Compliance

50%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

150 ft agricultural setback

Zoning Mechanism

County Special Review; City of Boulder has own permitting (municipal utility)

Acreage Caps

No county cap

Density Caps

Size Restrictions

Projects reviewed under county critical area regs

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Progressive-supportive for rooftop/community solar; utility-scale land constrained

Basis for Assessment

City of Boulder sustainability reports, Boulder County planning, local press

Political Risk Factors

Improving

Board Members

Ashley Stolzmann (D, 2027) | Marta Loachamin (D, 2026) | Claire Levy (D, 2026)

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Xcel Energy (PSCO) / City of Boulder Municipal Utility / WECC

Utilities

Xcel Energy (PSCO), City of Boulder Municipal Utility

State Permitting Process

County Special Review; City of Boulder separate permitting; HB 23-1232 CEO review >50 MW; decommissioning bond

State Incentives

Federal ITC; Colorado Clean Energy Fund; Xcel RE procurement; Boulder municipal solar programs

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Multiple small/mid projects including Boulder County open space solar (several <10 MW); Lafayette solar

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Boulder County, CO — Solar Development Risk Assessment