50.6

Risk Grade

Fair

Colorado Springs exurban community with strong organized opposition to utility-scale solar; conservative county board; CUP process used to block development; mountainous terrain limits viable sites

Assessment Snapshot

Population

25388

State Rank

#44

Compliance

55%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

200 ft from non-participating residences

Zoning Mechanism

Conditional Use Permit (county planning commission)

Acreage Caps

No formal cap, but CUP discretionary

Density Caps

Spacing Rules

None specified

Size Restrictions

<50 MW county CUP; >50 MW CEO review

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Opposed — Colorado Springs exurb with organized solar opposition; conservative rural identity

Basis for Assessment

Teller County BOCC minutes; Pikes Peak Courier coverage; public petitions against solar

Political Risk Factors

Worsening

Board Members

Erik Stone (R, 2026) | Marc Dettenrieder (R, 2027) | Norm Steen (R, 2026)

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Xcel Energy (PSCO) / Black Hills Energy / WECC

Utilities

Xcel Energy (PSCO), 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

None — no utility-scale solar approved in county

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

Teller Solar Farm concept (20 MW) withdrawn 2023 after organized opposition

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Teller County, CO — Solar Development Risk Assessment