Broomfield approves temporary ban on data centers

The Broomfield City Council unanimously approved an 18-month moratorium on new data center construction during its Tuesday night meeting. This temporary ban prevents any new data centers from being built in Broomfield for the specified period or until new regulations are incorporated into the city's code, as detailed in a council memo.

The moratorium aims to address various concerns associated with data centers, including significant demands on electrical power, water supply, telecommunications networks, and transportation systems. City officials are also evaluating the potential effects on surrounding land uses, natural resources, public services, and overall community character. The city defines a data center facility for the purpose of the moratorium as having projected load requirements of at least 10 megawatts, housing IT equipment, and primarily delivering IT services.

City and County Attorney Nancy Rodgers noted that the largest existing data center in Broomfield is a JPMorgan Chase facility with a functional capacity of approximately 20 megawatts. The 18-month pause will provide the city with sufficient time to conduct a comprehensive review of these issues and establish appropriate regulatory frameworks.