24.5

Risk Grade

Excellent

Flat eastern plains with excellent solar resource; very low density; highly permissive county; Xcel territory; county sees solar as critical economic development tool; strong A-grade fundamentals

Assessment Snapshot

Population

4908

State Rank

Compliance

25%

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 — very rural county actively welcomes solar for property tax revenue and economic development

Basis for Assessment

Washington County News; county planning records; economic development statements

Political Risk Factors

Improving

Board Members

Ron Wray (R, 2026) | Frank Brown (R, 2027) | Jerry Aschermann (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

Akron Solar I (~20 MW, 2022); Prairie Solar (~40 MW, 2024)

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

None on record

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Washington County, CO — Solar Development Risk Assessment