Utilities serving Hinsdale County
Territory shares by land area (Colorado Energy Office map): Gunnison County Electric Association, about 31%; La Plata Electric Association, about 26%; San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, about 17%; Xcel Energy (Public Service Company of Colorado), about 15%. The county seat, Lake City, maps to Gunnison County Electric Association.
The largest by area, Gunnison County Electric Association, is a electric cooperative that banks exported solar as kWh credits that offset later use one-for-one.
Hinsdale County by the numbers
Hinsdale County declined about 4.0% between 2020 and 2025 (784 → 753). It has 1 incorporated community: Lake City.
Terrain varies: Lake City sits near 8,860 feet while the county’s geographic center is around 11,090 feet, so snow load, shading and access can differ a lot from one address to the next.
It’s part of our Southwest Colorado region. The county center is about 185 miles from our Denver office.
Permits in Hinsdale County
Permitting in Hinsdale 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.
FAQ
Questions we hear
Which electric utilities serve Hinsdale County?
By area, the state map shows Gunnison County Electric Association, La Plata Electric Association, San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, Xcel Energy (Public Service Company of Colorado). The county seat, Lake City, maps to Gunnison County Electric Association. Your bill is the final word.
Do you install solar in Hinsdale County?
Yes — our own Colorado crews install throughout Hinsdale County, including permits and utility interconnection.
How high is Lake City, and does it matter for solar?
Lake City sits at about 8,860 feet. Cooler, clearer air helps panel efficiency, but roof orientation and shading matter far more; we model both per address.