Colorado voters express strong opposition to AI and data centers, study finds
A new study by Magellan Strategies found that most Colorado voters strongly oppose data centers in their neighborhoods and generally have unfavorable opinions of AI. This widespread opposition has led several Colorado counties and cities, including Denver, Jefferson, Larimer, Boulder, and Broomfield, to enact or extend moratoriums on data center development. Aurora City Council is also set to vote on a regulation that would ban evaporative cooling systems for data centers.
A recent study conducted by Magellan Strategies, a nonpartisan research firm based in Broomfield, Colorado, reveals strong opposition among Colorado voters to both artificial intelligence and data center development. The study, which polled 1,389 registered voters between August 26 and September 2, found that nearly 90% of respondents opposed having data centers in their neighborhoods, and 66% held unfavorable opinions of AI, despite significant usage of AI tools like ChatGPT.
Opposition to data centers is particularly intense, with concerns centering on increased water usage in a drought-prone state, high electricity consumption, and potential noise and air pollution. Proponents argue for job creation and the strategic necessity of keeping pace with China in AI development. Senator Cathy Kipp, a Fort Collins Democrat, noted that local surveys in her county (Larimer) show similar high levels of opposition.
This public sentiment has translated into concrete governmental actions across the state. The Denver City Council unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new data center development, while Jefferson County and Larimer County extended their existing moratoriums. Boulder County enacted a six-month moratorium in early June, and Broomfield passed an 18-month moratorium in July. The Aurora City Council is also scheduled to vote on September 14 on a measure that would introduce direct regulations, including a ban on evaporative cooling systems for data centers.
Among specific projects, CoreSite's three-story, 590,000-square-foot hyperscale data center in north Denver's Globeville and Elyria-Swansea neighborhoods is nearing completion. Opponents of this project highlight its substantial resource demands, estimating it will consume enough energy for 100,000 homes and enough water for 19,000 homes daily.