60.5

Risk Grade

Poor

Politically conservative county board with oil-and-gas heritage actively skeptical of renewable energy mandates; CUP process discretionary and board-influenced; limited solar enthusiasm

Assessment Snapshot

Population

154210

State Rank

#47

Compliance

58%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

200 ft from residential structures; 50 ft from property line

Zoning Mechanism

Conditional Use Permit (county planning commission)

Acreage Caps

No formal cap, but CUP discretion

Density Caps

Spacing Rules

None specified

Size Restrictions

<50 MW county CUP; >50 MW CEO review

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Skeptical — conservative oil-and-gas county; board has publicly prioritized fossil energy

Basis for Assessment

Mesa County BOCC meeting minutes; Grand Junction Daily Sentinel coverage

Political Risk Factors

Worsening

Board Members

Cody Davis (R, 2026) | Janet Rowland (R, 2027) | Tom Mueller (R, 2026)

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Xcel Energy (PSCO) / Holy Cross Energy / WECC

Utilities

Xcel Energy (PSCO), Holy Cross 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

Grand Valley Solar (~6 MW, 2020)

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

None formally denied; chilling effect from conservative board

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Mesa County, CO — Solar Development Risk Assessment