Aurora residents say new data center regulations aren’t enough
Aurora City Council has adopted a new regulation banning large-scale evaporative cooling systems in new data centers, a measure residents deem insufficient to address environmental concerns. Residents advocate for more stringent regulations or an outright ban, especially after the council rejected a moratorium in August. The new rule does not apply to existing data centers or the already-approved QTS facility.
Aurora, Colorado, residents are expressing strong dissatisfaction with the city's recently enacted regulation banning large-scale evaporative cooling systems in new data centers, arguing the measure does not go far enough to curb the industry's environmental impact. Passed unanimously by the Aurora City Council on September 15, the rule aims to address concerns over excessive water consumption, particularly critical as Colorado faces a significant drought.
However, residents like Chad Johnson and Aaron Futrell told the council that more comprehensive regulations, or even a moratorium, are needed, citing that evaporative systems waste up to 85% of their water and that alternative closed-loop systems still consume substantial amounts and can contaminate water. They also raised concerns about noise pollution, air pollution from diesel generators, increased strain on electrical systems, and potential decreases in property values. The regulation's limited scope – applying only to new projects and excluding existing facilities and the already-approved QTS data center – further fueled resident opposition, with some calling for a complete ban.
This new regulation comes after the council rejected a six-month moratorium on data center development in August. During a special study session, the council also discussed developing setback regulations for future data centers, though members were split on implementation details, particularly regarding how to grade facilities based on energy usage. Additionally, residents from the Reserve senior living community claimed they were not notified about the proposed Trident at Windler hyperscale data center project nearby.
The article also highlights a broader trend across Colorado, noting that nearly 90% of voters statewide oppose data center development. Other jurisdictions like Denver, Jefferson County, Larimer County, Boulder County, and Broomfield have all enacted or extended moratoriums on new data center construction.