Denver, Aurora residents say they were kept in the dark about massive data center planned near homes
Residents in Aurora and Denver's Green Valley Ranch neighborhood were largely uninformed about 'Project Trident,' a massive data center planned near their homes in Aurora. The project is allowed by existing industrial zoning rules, which permit administrative approval without required community input, leading to frustration from residents and local officials. Aurora City Council previously rejected a data center moratorium but is set to vote on new development standards.
Residents of Aurora's Windler community and Denver's Green Valley Ranch neighborhood claim they were not informed about "Project Trident," a proposed 900,000-square-foot data center near East 48th Avenue and E-470 in Aurora. Homeowners like Tara Miller and Laura Belcher expressed shock and concern over the lack of communication, having moved into their new homes without prior knowledge of the adjacent development.
According to the City of Aurora, the project is situated in an AD industrial zone district, where data centers are permitted by right and can be approved administratively, thus not requiring a neighborhood meeting. Aurora City Councilmember Amy Wiles confirmed that previous councils could advance such projects without community input due to these zoning rules. The application, submitted in August 2025 (likely a typo, assumed 2023 or 2024), is currently undergoing its third review, with the city's response due to the applicant by late September.
Denver City Councilmember Stacie Gilmore, representing Green Valley Ranch residents, criticized Aurora for the lack of communication and raised concerns about the regional implications, including emergency response for potential fires. MSU Denver Real Estate Program Director Jeff Peshut noted that land-use regulations often lag behind technological advancements, leading many cities to consider moratoriums. Aurora's City Council, however, voted against a temporary ban on data center construction in August, opting instead to establish development standards, which are scheduled for a final vote on September 28.
Residents, including Dan Bergander, are advocating for the Aurora City Council to conduct an additional review before final approval. Councilmember Wiles, who initially proposed the moratorium, hopes future regulations will incorporate community input, while Gilmore called for state and federal legislative action to address data center development.