Data center could come to Colorado Springs

An artificial intelligence data center, known as "Project Taurus," is being proposed for the former Intel fabrication building located off Garden of the Gods and Centennial in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The proposal has prompted numerous concerns from local residents, many of whom reached out to the news station to share their worries. Neighbors specifically dislike the idea of having this facility in their backyard. One resident, Bobbie Sue Neiffer, expressed deep concern over the data center's potential water consumption. Her worry is heightened by the fact that Colorado Springs Utilities recently asked homeowners to be cautious with their water use just weeks prior. Residents fear the facility would deplete vital resources, questioning the necessity for such a development. Developers for the project state that they would utilize a closed-loop cooling system, claiming it does not expose the water used for cooling to the air. However, local resident James Patton cited a recent Cambridge study indicating that data centers can raise the temperature in their surrounding areas. He pointed out Colorado's recent record-setting hottest and driest winter, arguing against adding something that would further increase temperatures next to a neighborhood. Today, Colorado Springs Utilities confirmed that if the proposal were to proceed, the data center would be required to pay a large load rate for energy. This measure ensures that energy costs associated with the data center's operations would not be passed on to general utility customers.