Colorado Union Representative Calls for Skilled Workers to Have a Voice in Data Center Debate
An opinion essay argues that skilled union construction workers should have a stronger voice in Colorado’s data center discussions. Jon Alvino of SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local 9 emphasizes the jobs, economic activity and community ties created by data center construction while acknowledging the broader debate over infrastructure, power and water.
Jon Alvino, a representative of SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local 9, argues that Colorado’s data center debate should include the skilled tradespeople who build the facilities. He says these workers are also residents, taxpayers and parents in the communities where development occurs, giving them a direct interest in responsible growth.
The commentary highlights data centers as major private construction investments that require thousands of workers across numerous trades, including electricians, plumbers, operating engineers and sheet metal workers. Alvino contends that the projects can provide years of employment and generate economic benefits for working families, alongside ongoing public concerns about infrastructure, electricity and water.