26.3

Risk Grade

Excellent

Eastern plains flat terrain with excellent solar resource; very low density; permissive zoning; limited solar build-out leaves substantial capacity

Assessment Snapshot

Population

5701

State Rank

Compliance

30%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

None codified

Zoning Mechanism

Administrative Permit / County Review

Acreage Caps

No cap

Density Caps

Size Restrictions

No size restrictions under 50 MW

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Supportive — rural county welcomes economic development from solar

Basis for Assessment

Lincoln County Economic Development; local newspaper

Political Risk Factors

Improving

Board Members

Frank Harrington (R, 2026) | Kevin Johnston (R, 2027) | Dale Garrett (R, 2026)

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Xcel Energy (PSCO) / WECC

Utilities

Xcel Energy (PSCO), High West 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

Lincoln Solar I (~10 MW, 2022)

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

None on record

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Lincoln County, CO — Solar Development Risk Assessment