Colorado needs a smarter answer on data centers than yes or no
Weld County Commissioner Scott James argues that Colorado needs a more intelligent approach to data center development, addressing concerns about water and electricity usage, infrastructure costs, and taxpayer impact. He advocates for guardrails and transparency to ensure that data centers genuinely benefit local communities rather than just bringing economic promises.
Scott James, a second-term Weld County Commissioner and former Mayor of Johnstown, Colorado, argues that the state should adopt a more discerning strategy for attracting data centers. In his commentary for Rocky Mountain Voice, James emphasizes the necessity for "honest math" regarding data centers' demands on water and electricity, their impact on utility rates, and the allocation of infrastructure costs.
He notes the failure of a previous Colorado bill to incentivize data centers, attributing it to real concerns about tax breaks, energy demand, clean-energy objectives, and water consumption. James suggests that Colorado could learn from states like Texas, particularly its electricity market, which allows large users more flexibility in negotiating power supplies. He proposes implementing "guardrails" such as mandating low-water designs and ensuring transparent energy planning that clarifies power sources, grid capacity, and who will finance necessary upgrades. James asserts that data centers should integrate with Colorado's existing resources and infrastructure, rather than requiring the state to adapt to them, ultimately questioning whether these projects truly benefit Coloradans or merely serve as public relations fodder.