38.8

Risk Grade

Good

Small rural county; Wet Mountain valley areas have solar potential; growing exurban population from Pueblo may introduce some opposition over time; currently low regulatory risk

Assessment Snapshot

Population

5081

State Rank

#25

Compliance

40%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

None codified

Zoning Mechanism

County Zoning / Administrative Permit

Acreage Caps

No cap

Density Caps

Size Restrictions

No restrictions

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Neutral — Wet Mountains rural county; some lifestyle migration; limited organized opposition

Basis for Assessment

County planning records; local news (Wet Mountain Tribune)

Political Risk Factors

Stable

Board Members

Michael Foote (R, 2026) | Richard Barth (R, 2027) | John Smeraski (R, 2026)

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

San Isabel Electric Cooperative / WECC

Utilities

San Isabel Electric Cooperative

State Permitting Process

County zoning; HB 23-1232 CEO review >50 MW; decommissioning bond

State Incentives

Federal ITC; Colorado Clean Energy Fund

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

One small solar project (<5 MW)

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Custer County, CO — Solar Development Risk Assessment