Colorado’s largest data center to be built in Weld County after commissioners approve Global AI
Weld County commissioners approved a construction permit for Global AI's data center, set to become Colorado's largest, despite public opposition regarding water usage and noise. The approval followed updates to county data center regulations, though the company faced scrutiny for prior code violations and questions about its power supply. The project is also subject to ongoing annexation plans by the Greeley City Council.
Weld County commissioners approved a construction permit for Global AI's proposed data center, slated to be Colorado's largest, despite significant public opposition focused on water usage and noise pollution. The site, situated between Windsor and Greeley, is intended to host the world's first sovereign AI data center, operated by New York-based Global AI in collaboration with Nvidia and Humain.
The approval came a day after the Greeley City Council initiated plans to annex the property. Commissioners cited an updated municipal code with specific data center regulations as the basis for their decision, asserting Global AI's application met county standards. However, Global AI faced criticism for three prior construction code violations at the site, which only permitted repairs, leading Commissioners Scott James and Jason Maxey to question the company's compliance.
David Foster, Global AI's lawyer, defended the company, attributing the violations to recent county code changes and emphasizing Global AI's good faith in amending its application. Residents raised concerns about noise, with county data showing ambient levels sometimes exceeding the 65-decibel limit set for the data center, though Foster claimed daily operations would comply. Water usage concerns were addressed by Global AI's commitment to a closed-loop system, requiring an initial 650,000 gallons and annual 6,500-gallon top-offs, a requirement mandated by commissioners after public input.
Questions also arose regarding the electricity supply, as neighbors like Kodak Alaris and BROE Real Estate Group questioned Global AI's ability to secure adequate power amidst an ongoing legal dispute between Kodak Alaris and Poudre Valley REA. Foster affirmed that Global AI possessed a "will-serve" letter from Poudre Valley REA, which met county requirements. The approval included permit alterations, notably a requirement for Global AI to secure a bond to cover decommissioning costs.