Colorado Renewable Energy Development on Disturbed Lands

Detected March 16th, 2026

Summary

Colorado HB26-1268 proposes measures to advance renewable energy projects on previously disturbed lands by authorizing local governments to designate renewable energy reinvestment areas. The bill aims to streamline permitting and facilitate infrastructure financing for eligible projects.

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What changed

Colorado HB26-1268, introduced for the 2026 Regular Session, proposes the creation of renewable energy reinvestment areas by local governments to facilitate the development of renewable energy and energy storage projects on disturbed lands. The bill outlines an administrative approval process based on objective standards and requires utilities to respond to interconnection information requests within 30 days. It also mandates the Colorado energy office to publish and update resources for siting, permitting, and developing these projects.

This legislation will require local governments to establish public hearings and outreach to disproportionately impacted communities when designating these areas. Developers and utilities will need to adhere to the new permitting processes and information request timelines. The Colorado energy office will be responsible for providing consolidated information and resources. While no specific compliance deadline is mentioned, the bill's passage would necessitate internal reviews of land use and permitting procedures for entities involved in renewable energy development within Colorado.

What to do next

Review proposed legislation HB26-1268 for potential impact on renewable energy development projects.
Monitor legislative progress and potential amendments to the bill.
Prepare for potential new permitting processes and information request requirements if the bill is enacted.

Source document (simplified)

HB26-1268

Renewable Energy Development on Disturbed Lands

| Type | Bill |
| --- | --- |
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Energy Local Government |
Concerning measures to advance renewable energy projects on previously disturbed lands through the designation of renewable energy reinvestment areas.

Recent Bill (PDF) Recent Fiscal Note (PDF) Bill Summary:

Section 1 of the bill authorizes a local government with permitting authority over land uses (local government) to designate one or more areas within the jurisdiction of the local government as renewable energy reinvestment areas for the siting of renewable energy and energy storage system projects (eligible projects). In designating an area as a renewable energy reinvestment area, the local government must hold at least one public hearing, engage in outreach of disproportionately impacted communities, and ensure that an eligible project may be permitted and constructed pursuant to an administrative approval process based solely on the eligible project's compliance with objective standards.

If an eligible project is sited in a renewable energy reinvestment area, an urban renewal authority or county revitalization authority (tax increment financing authority) may distribute tax revenue to finance any public infrastructure needed for the eligible project in a manner consistent with the tax increment financing authority's governing statutes.

Section 1 requires a utility to respond to a request made by a local government or an eligible project developer for interconnection information regarding the proposed site of an eligible project within 30 days after the request is made.

Section 2 requires the Colorado energy office to consolidate, publish on its website, and periodically update information and resources concerning the process for siting, permitting, and developing eligible projects in renewable energy reinvestment areas.

Sections 3 and 4 make conforming amendments. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)