Moffat County commissioners delay decision on data center moratorium in order to seek public input
Moffat County Commissioners delayed a decision on a proposed data center moratorium to gather more public input and information. This pause is intended to allow officials time to develop comprehensive zoning regulations for data center developments amidst public concern. The board will revisit the issue on October 13 after conducting additional educational meetings.
The Moffat County Board of County Commissioners unanimously decided to delay a vote on a proposed data center moratorium until October 13. The delay is intended to allow for additional public input and information gathering, including expert presentations and community feedback sessions, before a final decision is made.
The proposed moratorium, which could last either six or 12 months, aims to temporarily halt data center applications in unincorporated Moffat County while officials develop specific zoning definitions and regulations. Planning and Zoning Director Candace Miller indicated that current county zoning regulations do not list data centers as a use, and her department has already begun researching how to define and regulate them within a six-month timeframe. The Planning Commission, while generally against a moratorium due to concerns about business investment signals, recommended a six-month limit if one were to be enacted.
The discussions are influenced by public outcry and concerns about a potential data center at the former Trapper Mine site, known as the Trapper Reborn project. Brian Dunn, CEO of Pure-Green Colorado and a managing partner of Trapper Reborn, urged against a moratorium, stating it could jeopardize investor commitments for their project, which proposes mobile computing units and claims to use existing electrical capacity and waterless systems. Other residents voiced support for a moratorium to ensure adequate time for environmental, land, wildlife, and water resource protection. Commissioners Tony Bohrer and Melody Villard emphasized the need for community education and comprehensive regulations before making a decision.