Survey tracks views on election security, abortion, data centers
A University of Wyoming survey found that 70% of Wyoming residents oppose allowing more large data center projects to support artificial intelligence. Opposition was strongest among Democrats and younger residents, while Cheyenne LEADS CEO Betsy Hale said the public discussion has lacked factual information and that some facilities serve defense and cloud-computing needs.
The University of Wyoming’s 2026 Wyoming Election Year Survey found broad opposition to expanding large data center projects in Wyoming, with 70% of respondents opposed and 30% supportive. Opposition was highest among Democrats at 90%, followed by independents at 76% and Republicans at 61%; residents ages 18 to 34 were the most opposed demographic.
Betsy Hale, CEO of Cheyenne LEADS, said the survey question’s reference to artificial intelligence did not capture the range of data center activity around Cheyenne, including facilities supporting strategic defense systems and cloud services. She called for a more fact-based public discussion, while the survey article provided no information about a specific project, permit or development decision.