Colorado is debating whether to incentivize data centers. Western Slope leaders ask: What about water?

Colorado lawmakers are debating whether to offer tax incentives to attract more data centers to the state, but some Western Slope leaders are raising concerns about the impact on water resources. One bill would provide tax breaks to data centers, while another would impose stricter regulations around renewable energy use and water consumption. The debate centers on balancing economic development with environmental protection, as data centers are power-hungry facilities that can consume large amounts of water.