Hundreds attend town hall for proposed data center in Colorado Springs

Hundreds of residents in Colorado Springs, Colorado, attended two town hall meetings to discuss a proposed data center development by Raeden, a California-based company. The company plans to convert the former Intel microchip facility on Garden of the Gods Road into an AI data center, prompting over 200 public comments and significant criticism. Residents, including Ron Graham-Becker, expressed skepticism due to past issues with noise from a bitcoin facility at the same location in 2018. Raeden's COO and co-founder, Jason Green, differentiated the proposed AI data center from the previous bitcoin operation, stating it would not exceed 50 decibels, within city limits. However, many residents remained unconvinced, citing dissatisfaction with sound levels from other local developments like the Ford Amphitheater. Green detailed mitigation efforts and committed to making sound studies public, planning another meeting to address ongoing concerns. Beyond noise, residents also raised issues regarding the facility's proposed 200,000-gallon one-time water use for its cooling system and potential strain on power infrastructure, though Green assured Raeden would cover utility costs. City officials indicated that the project's approval, if it meets city code, could still be appealed by the public.