Buena Vista Trustees Implement Data Center Moratorium to Develop Code

The Buena Vista Board of Trustees in Colorado unanimously approved a moratorium on data center applications during its June 9 meeting, effective until December 9, 2026, or until repealed. The temporary halt on new permits allows town staff to develop specific regulations for data center use, as current town code lacks provisions tailored to these facilities.

Town Planning Director Marika Kopp, who initially raised the issue, expressed concerns about the rapid development of data centers in small communities without adequate regulatory frameworks. Town Administrator Brian Berger, presenting in Kopp's absence, highlighted that data centers currently fall under industrial or utility provisions, which may not sufficiently address potential impacts such as water consumption, energy demand, noise, and visual effects.

The moratorium aims to establish clear guidelines and "guardrails" for future data center proposals, ensuring that the town can proactively manage their impacts. Trustees Christ Sturm and Maggie Huyck moved and seconded the ordinance's adoption, which passed without discussion.