25.4

Risk Grade

Excellent

Flat NE Colorado plains; very low density; permissive county zoning; excellent solar resource; limited development to date leaves abundant potential

Assessment Snapshot

Population

4265

State Rank

Compliance

28%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

None codified

Zoning Mechanism

Administrative Permit / Ministerial Review

Acreage Caps

No cap

Density Caps

Size Restrictions

No size restrictions under 50 MW

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Supportive — small rural county sees solar as economic development

Basis for Assessment

Phillips County News; county planning records

Political Risk Factors

Improving

Board Members

Craig Stoker (R, 2026) | John Hansen (R, 2027) | Charles Christner (R, 2026)

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Xcel Energy (PSCO) / WECC

Utilities

Xcel Energy (PSCO), Y-W Electric Association

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

Holyoke Area Solar (~8 MW, 2023)

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

None on record

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Phillips County, CO — Solar Development Risk Assessment