Grand County delays skijoring permit and agrees to leave data center moratorium in place
Grand County commissioners postponed a permit decision for a proposed 2027 skijoring event in Hot Sulphur Springs while organizers revise traffic, parking and emergency plans. Commissioners also agreed to keep the county's data center moratorium in place while staff develops potential special-use permit regulations addressing water, electricity, noise and other impacts.
Grand County commissioners continued the temporary use permit hearing for Grand Lake Skijoring's proposed move to Winding River Ranch until Oct. 27. Organizers Matt Reed-Tolonen and Delphine Eytel were asked to strengthen plans for traffic, parking, emergency access and a possible blockage of County Road 49. Residents and Columbine Lake representatives raised concerns about winter driving, private-road traffic and emergency response, while commissioners said the permit remained undecided.
During a related workshop, commissioners favored keeping Grand County's data center moratorium in place while Community Development staff drafts stricter special-use permit standards. Officials questioned whether future facilities could be supported by the county's water supplies and electrical service and also discussed noise, transmission lines, road access, wildlife and industrial building impacts. No specific data center site or final regulations were approved.