Aurora shoots down data center moratorium proposal
The Aurora City Council rejected a proposed six-month moratorium on data center construction. Despite the moratorium's defeat, the council is moving forward with considering new regulations, including banning evaporative cooling and reviewing zoning rules, in response to resident concerns about environmental impact and energy consumption. Separately, Broomfield City Leaders unanimously enacted a similar moratorium.
The Aurora City Council has voted against a temporary moratorium on data center construction, with the final vote being 6 to 5 after Mayor Mike Coffman cast the tie-breaking vote against the ban. This decision comes despite some residents voicing concerns over the environmental impacts and massive energy consumption associated with data centers.
The council, however, is still considering additional regulations. Council Member Amy Wiles introduced an emergency resolution for a six-month ban while development standards were adopted, but it failed. A resolution from Council Member Curtis Gardner, which called for establishing development standards without a moratorium, ultimately passed. This means that concerns regarding water usage, electricity bills, and zoning rules will still be addressed within 35 days. The city specifically noted it has no say on energy impact, as those matters are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission and Xcel Energy. Xcel Energy, represented at the meeting, stated its commitment to listening to community concerns while supporting economic development.
Separately, other Colorado communities are enacting moratoriums. Last month, Broomfield City Leaders unanimously voted to halt data center development for facilities using 10 megawatts of power or more for an 18-month period. City officials and residents in Broomfield cited environmental impact, local energy supply, and water scarcity as reasons for the pause, allowing time to draft new rules for zoning and water usage and prepare for potential state regulations.