Nearly 500 communities across the country have paused data centers
A 180,000-square-foot CoreSite data center was built across from Elyria Park in Denver's Elyria Swansea neighborhood, prompting concerns about pollution, water use, power demand and neighborhood impacts. Denver later approved a 12-month moratorium on additional data center development while the city considers new regulations.
A Cripps News investigation examines backlash against data center growth, focusing on a 180,000-square-foot CoreSite facility built across from Elyria Park in Denver's Elyria Swansea neighborhood. Resident Alfonso Espino said the facility is out of scale with the surrounding homes and adds to the burdens of an area already affected by industrial pollution.
The facility was approved under Denver's existing zoning code without review by the Denver City Council, which city officials said had not anticipated data centers of that size. After the approval, Denver halted plans for two additional buildings at the site and enacted a 12-month moratorium on new data center development. Mayor Mike Johnston said the city intends to develop regulations addressing community concerns before the moratorium expires, while nationwide communities pursue similar pauses over data centers' impacts on power, water and infrastructure.