Brighton will take a year to consider data centers
Brighton City Council unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on accepting, processing or approving data center applications after a contentious public hearing. The action followed the withdrawal of a previously discussed application and strong resident concerns about energy use, water resources, industrial development and the city’s future land-use rules.
Brighton City Council approved a one-year moratorium on new data center applications during an Oct. 6 public hearing, replacing a proposed six-month pause. Councilor Peter Padilla said the city’s zoning and land-use codes do not adequately define or regulate data centers, and that additional time is needed to study potential impacts and revise regulations. The moratorium bars the acceptance, processing or approval of permits, licenses, zoning requests or other land-use applications for data centers.
Padilla said a potential application had been withdrawn, but residents argued that future proposals remained possible. Speakers, including Stacey Baca and members of the Metro Denver Democratic Socialists of America, urged stronger protections and raised concerns about energy demand, water use and industrial development along Brighton’s northern border. The council’s action passed unanimously on first reading, while nearby Lochbuie and Commerce City were cited as communities considering or adopting similar pauses.