Denver City Council approves one-year data center moratorium

The Denver City Council has enacted a one-year moratorium on new data center construction, a decision made on Monday in response to growing community concerns and a push to develop new regulations. The pause is intended to allow the city to study potential rules for these facilities, which have become a contentious issue nationwide due to their high consumption of water and energy, as well as noise and pollution from diesel generators.

During a public hearing, dozens of Denver residents, particularly from the Globeville and Elyria-Swansea Neighborhoods where a CoreSite data center is located, voiced their frustrations. Community advocates held a press conference prior to the meeting, emphasizing the need for effective regulation. Councilwoman Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, a moratorium sponsor, noted there are currently 50 data centers in Denver, with about half, by square footage, in council district 10. The moratorium will not affect existing or under-construction facilities but could impact future expansions, such as CoreSite's planned growth.

A working group, comprising council members, utility representatives, union members, industry representatives, advocacy groups, community members, subject matter experts, and city department officials, will be convened. This group will examine issues including zoning, energy use, cooling systems, and renewable energy. Council members Paul Kashmann, Darrell Watson, and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez are leading the effort to hire a facilitator for the group's work. Despite some council members, like Flor Alvidrez, expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of task forces, the moratorium passed unanimously. Councilman Kashmann affirmed that Denver is no longer open for unregulated businesses that threaten community health and welfare.