Risk Grade

Good

Fastest-growing county in CO; very high income; strong HOA/suburban culture creates friction; Castle Rock area landowners hostile to utility-scale near residential; some rural southern county land but opposition organized

Assessment Snapshot

Population

357978

State Rank

#40

Compliance

65%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

500 ft from residences (informal county guidance)

Zoning Mechanism

County Special Use Permit; HOA restrictions prevalent

Acreage Caps

No cap; HOA restrictions apply

Density Caps

Spacing Rules

None in county code

Size Restrictions

HOAs effectively restrict ground-mount in residential areas

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Opposed to industrial scale — rapidly growing affluent suburb; strong HOA culture; residents cite visual impact and property values

Basis for Assessment

Douglas County planning records; Castle Rock News-Press; HOA legal filings (secondary)

Political Risk Factors

Worsening

Board Members

Abe Laydon (R, 2026) | George Teal (R, 2027) | Thomas Davidson (R, 2026)

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Xcel Energy (PSCO) / WECC

Utilities

Xcel Energy (PSCO)

State Permitting Process

County SUP; HB 23-1232 CEO review >50 MW; decommissioning bond; HOA deed restrictions

State Incentives

Federal ITC; Colorado Clean Energy Fund; Xcel RE procurement

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

One rural ground-mount (<10 MW, 2022); multiple HOA disputes

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

None on record — HOA covenant disputes not in county record

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Douglas County, CO — Solar Development Risk Assessment