Colorado Springs Planning Department approves Project Taurus data center, community concerns persist
The Colorado Springs Planning Department has approved Project Taurus, a data center proposed by RAIDEN, to convert a former Intel facility. This decision has sparked significant community opposition due to concerns over noise and water usage. Residents have until June 22nd to file an appeal against the approval.
The Colorado Springs Planning Department administratively approved Project Taurus, a controversial data center project, marking a significant hurdle cleared despite ongoing community opposition. The proposal, backed by the company RAIDEN, involves converting a former Intel facility near Garden of the Gods Road into a large-scale data center. While supporters highlight economic benefits and redevelopment opportunities, local residents remain deeply concerned.
Community members, particularly those living close to the proposed site, have voiced significant concerns regarding potential noise pollution and excessive water usage. Kate Cant, who lives approximately 400 feet from the facility, highlighted the proximity to her children's bedrooms, citing current ambient noise levels at 42 decibels. Jason Green, co-founder of RAIDEN, stated that their studies show operational noise levels at the property line would be 41 decibels.
Residents are requesting a formal land agreement that would allow them to enforce noise levels and other concerns in court if a future owner deviates from agreements. They are urging Green to sign this agreement before the June 22nd appeal deadline. Green indicated that a draft agreement with the city was only recently finalized. The timeline for the project remains uncertain, and community members also question the identity of the data center's future customer, a detail RAIDEN is not disclosing, citing it as an "umbrella" and their private business decision. An appeal deadline for the decision is set for Monday, June 22nd.