Risk Grade

Excellent

San Luis Valley; flat, high irradiance, very low density, lowest median income in CO; strong economic incentive to welcome solar; grid constraint similar to other SLV counties

Assessment Snapshot

Population

3887

State Rank

Compliance

32%

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

Supportive — low-income rural county; solar provides land lease income and tax revenue

Basis for Assessment

County records; CO Secretary of State; NREL

Political Risk Factors

Improving

Board Members

Steven Lopez (D, 2026) | Carey Sherrill (D, 2027) | Pete Pacheco (D, 2026)

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Xcel Energy (PSCO) / San Isabel Electric / WECC

Utilities

Xcel Energy (PSCO), San Isabel Electric Cooperative

State Permitting Process

County 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

San Luis Valley solar projects including near Fort Garland (~25 MW, 2021–23)

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Costilla County, CO — Solar Development Risk Assessment