Colorado Considers Regulations for Data Center Development to Address Energy and Climate Impacts

Joe Antus, executive director of Signal Tech Coalition, has voiced support for Colorado Senate Bill 26-102, which proposes new regulations for data center development. In a guest column for Colorado Politics, Antus stated that the legislation aims to implement "common-sense guardrails" to ensure that the economic benefits of the rapidly growing tech industry, particularly data centers driven by AI and cloud computing, do not come at the expense of Colorado ratepayers, state resources, or long-term climate targets. The article highlights concerns about the substantial increase in electricity demand projected by Xcel Energy, estimating over a 30% rise in peak power demand by 2035 due to new data centers. Without accountability, Antus warns, this growth could lead to the construction of new gas-burning power plants, delay coal plant retirements, and saddle Coloradans with higher utility costs, jeopardizing the state's climate objectives and economic progress. The Signal Tech Coalition, representing Colorado business and technology leaders, emphasizes the need to align data center development with the state's clean energy trajectory to build a resilient, affordable, and sustainable energy system for future prosperity.