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Last Update: 10/27/2026 at 5:34 AM EST
Colorado Data Center Regulation
Coverage from Planning, Broadband Breakfast, and others
In Colorado, data center siting and oversight are shaped by local zoning, permit reviews, and pauses on new development, alongside state-level debate over rules and incentives.
Denver and Lochbuie, for example, adopted moratoria, while Longmont and several counties have pursued limits or specialized reviews. Officials and residents have raised questions about electricity and grid costs, water use, noise, air quality, and land use; developers and industry representatives also cite jobs, taxes, and investment. The result is a policy landscape in which local decisions play a major role and the balance of community impacts and development benefits remains central.
Key Articles4 of 89 articles
If you read one thing
It explains how stalled statewide proposals left Colorado cities and counties to shape data-center rules, with concrete examples of their varied approaches.
The evidence
Its reporting on Aurora’s proposed high-load facility connects local siting decisions to water use, air impacts, and who pays for grid upgrades.
Best explainer
It details what Weld County approved for GlobalAI and the cooling, noise, utility, and expansion conditions attached to that approval.
Latest development
It reports the petition effort that could put GlobalAI’s approved project and future county siting decisions to a voter decision.
Key Issues
Local governments are filling the statewide policy vacuum
Statewide data-center proposals stalled, leaving cities and counties to set divergent rules through moratoriums, bans, special reviews, and impact-based conditions. Some jurisdictions are pausing applications while others are developing or applying project-specific controls.
Grid capacity and resource costs constrain development
Large proposed electricity loads are testing local utility and substation capacity, while responsibility for grid upgrades remains contested. Water availability and cooling choices also shape project design and the conditions governments impose.
Projects advance through conditional approvals amid public contest
Local pauses and restrictions have not stopped all development: projects have received approvals subject to controls on cooling, noise, utilities, and future expansion. Those decisions remain contested, with public opposition and delayed proceedings affecting timelines and acceptance.
Key Numbers
334 megawatts
planned IT capacity
“The current design includes 334 megawatts of planned IT capacity and about 500 megawatts of total electrical demand, according to Mark Freeman, Vantage’s vice president of global marketing.”
about 500 megawatts
total electrical demand
“The current design includes 334 megawatts of planned IT capacity and about 500 megawatts of total electrical demand, according to Mark Freeman, Vantage’s vice president of global marketing.”
98% percent
Colorado census tracts with lower toxic-air exposure
“State records show residents are exposed to more toxic air pollutants than 98% of Colorado census tracts, and the area has higher asthma hospitalization rates than 96% of the state’s geographic regions.”
100 megawatts
alternative peak-demand threshold
“Longmont’s City Council voted 6-1 in June to ban hyperscale data centers. The ordinance defines a hyperscale facility as one with projected or contracted peak demand equal to at least 5% of Platte River Power Authority’s nameplate generating capacity, or 100 megawatts, whichever is lower. Based on current capacity, the threshold is approximately 70 megawatts.”
5%
share of Platte River Power Authority nameplate generating capacity
“Longmont’s City Council voted 6-1 in June to ban hyperscale data centers. The ordinance defines a hyperscale facility as one with projected or contracted peak demand equal to at least 5% of Platte River Power Authority’s nameplate generating capacity, or 100 megawatts, whichever is lower. Based on current capacity, the threshold is approximately 70 megawatts.”
Looking Back
153 Day Timeline
May 7
May 31
Jun 27
Jul 21
Aug 14
Sep 10
Oct 4
The Story So Far
No material change
No new-member articles were supplied, so there is no evidence of a material change since the prior state.
Previously
Colorado cities and counties are pausing, limiting, or adding conditions to data-center projects as statewide rules stall and large facilities raise questions about grid capacity, water, noise, emissions, and neighborhood impacts. Some projects continue under local approvals, while public opposition and uneven participation in siting decisions keep outcomes contested.
History
10/09/2026
Aurora's Trident proposal has received preliminary administrative approval, but Mayor Mike Coffman is seeking public review, bringing the approval process itself into focus. Weld County petitions also seek voter-approval requirements for future facilities.
All Articles89 articles
Important
In September 2025, Aurora, Illinois, imposed a six-month data-center moratorium and developed tighter siting, power, water, cooling, and disclosure rules.
10/1/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Aurora, Illinois, and Anchorage, Alaska, adopted stricter data center ordinances in 2026 as local governments nationwide responded to energy, water, noise, and land-use concerns.
8/10/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
In Colorado, stalled 2026 state data center bills leave Weld, Larimer, Denver, and Logan counties tightening local zoning, moratoriums, and special-use permit rules.
7/27/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Loveland City Council planned a Sept. 1, 2026 data center study session as council members consider a potential temporary moratorium and align development review and utility large-load approvals.
7/17/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
CoreSite proposed up to 805,000 gallons per day of cooling water for a North Denver data center campus during Denver’s yearlong new data-center moratorium amid Stage 1 drought.
6/29/2026 • Water & Cooling • General
Brisbane officials are reviewing data center regulations and a possible development moratorium after a July 21, 2026 subcommittee meeting in Brisbane, California.
7/29/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Aurora Councilmember Amy Wiles is proposing a six-month pause on future data center construction in Aurora, Colorado, to develop new siting rules.
8/11/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Aurora City Councilmember Amy Wiles proposed a six-month moratorium on new data center approvals in Aurora, Colorado, while officials develop zoning, water, power, and resident protection rules.
8/9/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman is urging the city to halt Vantage Data Centers' Trident proposal and revise siting rules as the project advances through review in Aurora, Colorado.
10/3/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Northern Colorado cities and counties adopted or considered data center moratoriums and special reviews in 2020s communities across the region to evaluate power, water, land-use, and infrastructure effects.
9/20/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Vantage Data Centers is proposing the Trident Data Center in Aurora, Colorado, where administrative approval could allow a 500-megawatt campus to proceed without a public hearing.
9/16/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Weld County commissioners approved GlobalAI's proposed data center near Greeley, Colorado, on September 9, authorizing limited operations subject to utility, cooling, noise, and permitting conditions.
9/14/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Fort Collins City Council is considering targeted data center limits in Colorado as officials assess electricity, water, infrastructure and community impacts.
9/8/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Aurora, Illinois, and Anchorage, Alaska, officials described new data center zoning, utility, water, and public engagement requirements during a national municipal policy webinar.
8/27/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Colorado cities and counties recently approved moratoriums and limits on new data centers while lawmakers failed to establish statewide rules.
8/10/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Broomfield City Council approved an 18-month moratorium on new data centers in Colorado on Tuesday night to complete a regulatory review before code adoption.
7/12/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Broomfield City Council passed an 18-month moratorium on new data centers in Colorado on Tuesday night to develop city code regulations.
7/12/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Larimer County, Colorado considered extending a data-center moratorium through Feb. 27 during a June 29 work session after survey results and community concerns about water and costs.
7/3/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Colorado local governments advanced data-center moratoriums and zoning requirements in 2025-2026 after HB 26-1030 and SB 26-102 were postponed indefinitely.
6/26/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Denver City Council approved a one-year moratorium on new data centers after a February proposal by Mayor Mike Johnston to develop permitting and regulatory rules.
5/19/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Denver City Council scheduled a vote on a one-year moratorium on new data center zoning permits while CoreSite DE3 construction in Elyria-Swansea drew water and power concerns.
5/19/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Colorado lawmakers ended Senate Bill 102, which would have added data-center tax incentives and environmental conditions, after a unanimous committee vote, leaving Colorado without new protections.
5/11/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Sen. Cathy Kipp killed Colorado Senate Bill 102 after a late rewrite left lawmakers without time to advance new data-center regulation requirements before session adjournment.
5/11/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Denver City Council approved a one-year moratorium on new data center construction on Monday while the city prepares a study and working group for zoning, energy, and cooling regulations.
5/19/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Denver City Council unanimously approved a one-year pause on new data center construction starting May 21, exempting operating facilities and permitted projects.
5/19/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
The Weld County Board of County Commissioners approved Global AI's data center permit on September 9 in an existing industrial facility near Windsor, Colorado.
9/9/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade released six data center development standards on August 14 in Colorado Springs after Project Taurus hearings raised concerns about infrastructure, water, electricity, neighborhoods, and public participation.
8/14/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade released data center development standards Friday in Colorado Springs after concerns about Project Taurus near Garden of the Gods Road.
8/14/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
CoreSite is developing the phased DE3 colocation facility near Denver's National Western Center, where Globeville Elyria Swansea residents are evaluating resource use and community commitments.
8/4/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Aurora City Council rejected a six-month data center construction moratorium Monday in Aurora, Colorado, while approving standards addressing zoning, water use, and development impacts.
8/11/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Aurora officials reviewed Project Trident in 2025, advancing a proposed nearly 900,000-square-foot data center in Aurora, Colorado, under industrial zoning that does not require a neighborhood meeting.
9/24/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Vantage Data Centers is planning a 143-acre, 334-megawatt IT campus in Aurora, Colorado, where state officials and residents are pressing for public review over pollution, water use, and electricity demand.
9/21/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Raeden is reassessing its proposed artificial intelligence data center in Colorado Springs after four arrests and extensive opposition at a September 17 City Council meeting.
9/18/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Colorado communities approved or are reviewing major data center projects in Colorado Springs, Weld County, and Aurora as residents oppose rising power, water, noise, and pollution impacts.
9/17/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Jacinto City residents opposed Raeden's proposed 50-megawatt data center at a Friday town hall, as city officials considered special-use restrictions for the Fidelity Street site.
9/12/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
QTS seeks Colorado air-permit changes for added diesel backup and closed-loop cooling at an East Aurora data center campus requiring at least 160 MW capacity.
7/8/2026 • Power Procurement & Grid • General
Grant County, Arkansas officials assessed an 800 MW data center proposal in 2020s negotiations, requiring water and power-risk conditions for a potential 20 percent tax abatement.
6/24/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Moffat County confirmed on Aug. 6 that two unidentified entities had made preliminary data center inquiries near the Trapper Mine in Colorado, prompting zoning review and public opposition.
8/6/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Lochbuie Town Council approved a five-year moratorium on new and expanded data centers in the Colorado town after residents raised water, noise, and land-use concerns.
8/6/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Monument, Colorado town council approved a six-month ban on new data center applications on Monday to update land development code rules.
7/21/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Global AI applied to build a Windsor, Colorado-area data center in late April, as Weld County revised industrial-zone zoning rules amid water and noise concerns.
5/12/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Colorado local governments in Weld, Larimer, Denver, and Logan counties are developing data center siting rules and moratoriums in 2026 after statewide legislation failed.
9/4/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Interesting
Colorado Springs City Council is scheduled to vote on Raeden's Project Taurus data center at a special meeting in Colorado Springs after neighborhood appeals over power, water and noise.
9/15/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Alamosa County commissioners approved Strata Inc.'s containerized computing facility near Alamosa, Colorado, on a 2-1 vote after concerns about AI, permitting speed and local oversight.
9/13/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Weld County commissioners unanimously approved Global AI's data center zoning request after a daylong public hearing near Windsor, Colorado, despite concerns about power, water, noise, and residential development.
9/12/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Weld County commissioners unanimously approved Global AI's data center permit on Sept. 9 in Colorado, allowing phased redevelopment of a former Kodak facility near Greeley and Windsor.
9/11/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Weld County commissioners approved Global AI's data center permit near Greeley and Windsor, Colorado, after public hearings raised concerns about water, noise, power, annexation, and construction compliance.
9/10/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Alamosa County commissioners approved Strata Inc.'s container-based data center near Hooper, Colorado, after residents raised concerns about future development and project review.
9/9/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Weld County officials approved circulation Monday of two POWER-backed petitions seeking votes on Global AI's proposed data center and future voter approval for facilities in Weld County, Colorado.
10/1/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Protect Our Water and Energy Resources-backed petitions seeking voter review of Global AI's data center approval were cleared for circulation Monday in Weld County, Colorado.
9/29/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Aurora City Council rejected a six-month data center construction moratorium and ordered new cooling and neighborhood-buffer rules within 35 days in Aurora, Colorado.
8/12/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Tim Leigh argued on September 13, 2026, that Project Taurus in Colorado Springs would limit environmental impacts through building reuse, mitigation measures and modest resource consumption.
9/13/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Lochbuie residents urged a three-year data center moratorium at a city council meeting before a July 21 vote.
7/24/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Rifle City Council advanced proposed conditional-use regulations for potential data centers during a recent meeting in Rifle, Colorado, near Garfield County Airport.
9/7/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Rifle city officials in Colorado are reviewing zoning and public-engagement requirements as developers inquire about data centers that could bring major power, water, and economic impacts.
8/10/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Moffat County planning officials will begin reviewing data center development in Craig, Colorado, on Wednesday as statewide rules remain unresolved and water concerns persist.
8/3/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Windsor town officials will discuss data center zoning changes August 3 in Windsor, Colorado, as Weld County reviews GlobalAI's nearby brownfield proposal.
8/3/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Colorado Springs Planning Commission voted 6-2 to deny appeals against Raeden's Project Taurus after a special hearing concluded shortly before midnight.
7/24/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Colorado Springs received five appeals Monday for a proposed Garden of the Gods Road data center, pending eligibility checks and planning commission review.
6/23/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Integrity Matters and residents filed appeals challenging administrative approval for Raeden's Project Taurus AI data center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, before a Monday 5 p.m. deadline.
6/22/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Raeden received June 11 approval for a Development Plan Modification for 50MW Project Taurus in Colorado Springs, with local appeals due June 22, 2026.
6/15/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Buena Vista trustees will consider a June 9 emergency ordinance imposing a temporary moratorium on data center application processing to develop code for water, power, and impact controls.
6/6/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Denver City Council unanimously approved a one-year data center construction moratorium after community testimony Monday night in Colorado|Denver.
5/19/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Denver residents pressed City Council ahead of a Monday vote on a temporary moratorium on new data center projects, citing health, dust, generator emissions, and water and grid impacts.
5/17/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Aurora Councilmember Amy Wiles held a public listening session on data center rules after residents raised water and cooling concerns tied to AI-driven growth.
7/6/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman called for public scrutiny of Vantage Data Centers' proposed 334-megawatt Trident facility after residents protested the project in Aurora, Colorado, in a recent city debate.
10/6/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
On October 1, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman called for a public hearing and council vote on the proposed Trident Data Center in Aurora, Colorado.
10/3/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Colorado Springs City Council postponed Raeden's Project Taurus data center decision until April after a contentious hearing over noise, electricity demand, and zoning near residential homes.
9/18/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Colorado Springs City Council delayed a proposed data center near Garden of the Gods on Thursday after a contentious hearing focused on noise, power demand, and neighborhood impacts.
9/18/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
The Colorado Springs City Council postponed Raeden's Project Taurus data center decision until April 13, 2027, in Colorado Springs after contentious public opposition.
9/17/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Colorado Springs residents protested Raeden's proposed Project Taurus data center over noise, water, and electricity concerns before the city council considers appeals on September 17.
9/12/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Colorado Springs Utilities now requires prospective data centers in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to finance contracted electric capacity, infrastructure, resource adequacy, and qualifying water-service requirements.
9/16/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
Michael Canon urged Colorado regulators and local governments to condition data center development on public power costs, water limits, and suitable sites during a 2020s policy debate.
9/7/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
Denver and other Colorado local governments imposed new data center moratoriums in 2026 after statewide bills failed, following grid, pollution, and utility cost disputes.
6/18/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
On October 1, 2026, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman called for a public hearing and council vote on Vantage's proposed Trident campus in Aurora, Colorado, amid resident opposition.
10/4/2026 • Permitting & Regulation • General
About 100 Adams County residents discussed potential data-center development and related water, power, and governance concerns Saturday at Anythink Wright Farms Library in Colorado.
8/22/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Brighton-area residents in Adams County, Colorado, petitioned for a data-center moratorium after a July 20, 2026, development document raised concerns about the Windsor project.
8/18/2026 • Community & Local Opposition • General
Caleb Waller urged Garfield County, Colorado, to consider data centers only when developers provide low-water cooling, dedicated power infrastructure, and taxpayer protections.
9/4/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is developing large-load rules in Colorado during 2025 as data center projects seek Xcel Energy connections and could add 1,900 megawatts by 2031.
8/30/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
Loveland, Colorado held public information efforts in July 2026 and scheduled a September 1, 2026 council work session to review data center zoning and impact planning.
7/17/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
Colorado lawmakers failed in 2024 to enact statewide incentives and guardrails for new data centers, prompting local moratoriums in Denver and Jefferson County.
5/25/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
Colorado stakeholders continue talks on Senate Bill 102 data-center guardrails as Senate committee action approaches Monday, with incentives and environmental protections unresolved.
5/9/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
Colorado House Energy and Environment committee voted 11-2 against House Bill 1030, ending proposed data-center sales and use tax exemptions after environmental amendments were insufficient.
5/8/2026 • Project Finance & Incentives • General
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade released six data center standards before the City Council's September 17 Project Taurus appeal hearing in Colorado Springs.
8/14/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade announced six data-center standards before City Council considers appeals of Raeden's proposed Project Taurus on September 17.
8/14/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
Additional
Colorado House Bill 1030 proposes a state sales tax exemption and ratepayer protections to attract data center investment as CoreSite construction continues in Denver.
5/7/2026 • Project Finance & Incentives • General
Larimer County commissioners in Colorado plan a July 13 vote on a six-month extension of a moratorium on new data center permits after public opposition and missing zoning standards were reported.
6/30/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
Loveland City Council will begin public study sessions on September 1, 2026, in Loveland, Colorado, to evaluate data center impacts and potential policies before applications are submitted.
8/27/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General
Loveland, Colorado plans a Sept. 1, 2026 public council work session on data center impacts while preparing development review and power large-load approval steps.
7/18/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General