Custer County’s utility map
By area, the Colorado Energy Office territory map shows Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (65%), San Isabel Electric Association (23%), Black Hills Energy (Colorado Electric) (13%), Xcel Energy (Public Service Company of Colorado) (8%). Area isn’t population — towns are often served by a different utility than the surrounding countryside.
The largest by area, Sangre de Cristo Electric Association, is a electric cooperative that banks exported solar as kWh credits that offset later use one-for-one.
Custer County facts that matter for solar
Custer County grew about 18.8% between 2020 and 2025 (4,707 → 5,590). It has 2 communities on our map, the largest being Silver Cliff, Westcliffe.
Terrain varies: Westcliffe sits near 7,880 feet while the county’s geographic center is around 8,670 feet, so snow load, shading and access can differ a lot from one address to the next.
It’s part of our Southern Front Range region. The county center is about 114 miles from our Denver office.
Permitting across Custer County
Permitting in Custer County depends on whether you’re inside a town. Towns with their own building departments issue their own permits; unincorporated areas go through the county, and the State Electrical Board handles electrical permits in many smaller jurisdictions.
Business, farm and nonprofit solar in Custer County
For a business in Custer County the first question is the rate class, not the roof: Sangre de Cristo Electric Association, a electric cooperative, must net-meter commercial systems to 25 kW under state law and sets its own terms above that.
What we see on commercial sites in this part of the state: colorado Springs and Pueblo carry defense contractors, steel and manufacturing, hospitals, churches and a large military-adjacent retail base; the Arkansas Valley adds packing sheds, cold storage and irrigated agriculture. Municipal and co-op utilities down here set their own non-residential solar terms, so the rate class matters as much as the roof. As of September 2026, business owners can still use the federal §48E credit for solar placed in service by the end of 2027, with 100% bonus depreciation restored — details are on our Custer County commercial page and worth a conversation with your tax advisor.
FAQ
Questions we hear
Which electric utilities serve Custer County?
By area, the state map shows Sangre de Cristo Electric Association, San Isabel Electric Association, Black Hills Energy (Colorado Electric), Xcel Energy (Public Service Company of Colorado). The county seat, Westcliffe, maps to Sangre de Cristo Electric Association. Your bill is the final word.
Do you install solar in Custer County?
Yes — our own Colorado crews install throughout Custer County, including permits and utility interconnection.
How high is Westcliffe, and does it matter for solar?
Westcliffe sits at about 7,880 feet. Cooler, clearer air helps panel efficiency, but roof orientation and shading matter far more; we model both per address.