County enacts moratorium on data centers as it updates land development code
Mesa County commissioners voted 3-0 to enact a one-year moratorium on data center development while the county updates its land development code. The pause follows residents’ concerns about water consumption, power demand, noise and other impacts, and the proposed code would define data centers, limit them to industrial zones and require conditional use permits.
Mesa County commissioners voted unanimously on Sept. 29 to impose a one-year moratorium on data centers while the county develops new regulations. Community Development Director Greg Moberg said the existing land development code does not adequately define data centers or address their operational impacts, including electricity demand, water use, noise, lighting and backup systems. No data center proposals are currently pending in the county.
The proposed code would allow data centers only in industrial zones and require conditional use permits with public hearings before the planning commission and county commissioners. Officials said the moratorium could end once those provisions are adopted, although additional public input may be sought because of community concerns. The City of Grand Junction is also considering a moratorium and may coordinate its standards with the county.