41.8

Risk Grade

Good

Transitioning from coal economy; flat eastern portions ideal for solar; Black Hills Energy territory creates grid complexity; low density favors development

Assessment Snapshot

Population

14506

State Rank

#32

Compliance

42%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

None codified for solar

Zoning Mechanism

County Zoning / Administrative Permit

Acreage Caps

No cap

Density Caps

Size Restrictions

No size restrictions under 50 MW

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Cautiously Neutral — coal heritage but economic development interest in renewables

Basis for Assessment

Trinidad Times coverage; county commissioner statements on economic development

Political Risk Factors

Neutral

Board Members

Derek Flores (R, 2026) | Lawrence Atencio (D, 2027) | Ricardo Garcia (R, 2026)

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Black Hills Energy (SPS) / SPP

Utilities

Black Hills Energy

State Permitting Process

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

State Incentives

Federal ITC; Colorado Clean Energy Fund; Xcel RE procurement programs

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Ludlow Solar (~3 MW ag-adjacent, 2023)

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

None on record

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Las Animas County, CO — Solar Development Risk Assessment