Greeley, Windsor officials prepare to clash over new data center in Weld County
Officials from Greeley and Windsor in Weld County, Colorado, are vying for the annexation and tax revenue of a proposed Global AI data center, which is located between the two municipalities. The project faces strong resident opposition due to environmental concerns and has been cited for construction code violations. Both city councils and the Weld County Commissioners are holding meetings to decide the project's future and address annexation disputes.
Officials in Greeley and Windsor, Colorado, are engaged in a dispute over the annexation and tax revenue of a proposed Global AI data center in Weld County. The facility, planned for the former Carestream Health site on Howard Smith Avenue W, is projected to generate between $11.8 million and $12.6 million annually in tax revenue, making it a valuable asset for either municipality.
The project, which Global AI plans to operate with Nvidia and Humain, has encountered significant local opposition and faced scrutiny. Weld County inspectors recently cited the project for three construction code violations, finding four actions beyond permitted repairs to the building. Although Global AI did not challenge these accusations and resolved the violations with the county, residents like Ken Brown expressed concern about the company's adherence to regulations.
The Weld County Planning Commission held a public meeting where residents voiced their concerns directly to Global AI COO Michael Cadigan and project representatives. Greeley Mayor Dale Hall assured residents that their concerns about data centers are being taken seriously, while Windsor Mayor Julie Cline emphasized the town's desire to control its own destiny and ensure resident protection if the data center is annexed by Windsor.
Adding to the complexity, Greeley City Council approved a motion to discuss a pre-annexation agreement with Global AI, despite Windsor's challenge to Greeley's recent annexation of the Great Western Industrial Park, which would enable the data center property to become contiguous. Strong public opposition was evident at both Greeley and Windsor meetings, with residents like Louise Wilson raising environmental concerns. The Weld County Commissioners are scheduled to hold a final use-by-special-review meeting to decide on the data center's development, and the Greeley City Council will hold a special meeting to discuss the pre-annexation agreement.