47.9

Risk Grade

Fair

Transition city (former steel); Black Hills/Xcel dual utility territory adds complexity; flat southern and eastern portions ideal for solar; moderate regulatory framework; growing pipeline

Assessment Snapshot

Population

168424

State Rank

#43

Compliance

48%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

150 ft from non-participating residences; 50 ft from public roads

Zoning Mechanism

Special Use Permit (county planning commission)

Acreage Caps

No formal cap

Density Caps

Spacing Rules

None specified

Size Restrictions

<50 MW county SUP; >50 MW CEO review

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Mixed — Pueblo City pro-solar (clean industry); county rural areas more cautious; union labor preference issues

Basis for Assessment

Pueblo Chieftain coverage; county planning records; Pueblo Economic Development Corporation

Political Risk Factors

Neutral

Board Members

Chris Wiseman (D, 2026) | Garrison Ortiz (D, 2027) | Sal Pace (D, 2026)

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Black Hills Energy / Xcel Energy (PSCO) / SPP-WECC

Utilities

Black Hills Energy, Xcel Energy (PSCO)

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

Pueblo Solar I (20 MW, 2020); Meadowbrook Solar (35 MW, 2022); San Carlos Solar (~15 MW, 2023)

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

None formally denied

Explore the Full Tracker

View risk assessments for all 3,100+ US counties, compare states, and download detailed ordinance data for your solar development pipeline.

Launch SolarRisk Tracker

Pueblo County, CO — Solar Development Risk Assessment