Windsor residents show up in droves to oppose data centers in their town
Windsor town officials discussed proactive code changes to regulate data center development, drawing significant opposition from residents concerned about water usage, noise, and transparency. While no specific data center proposal is currently on the table, the town aims to establish regulations before development occurs, with plans for further public meetings before drafting an ordinance.
Windsor, Colorado town officials, including the Windsor Town Board and Planning Commission, held a joint work session to discuss potential municipal code changes to regulate data center development. This proactive discussion, intended to establish rules before any specific proposals emerge, drew a large crowd of residents who expressed strong opposition to data centers in their town, prompting boos when an outright ban was rejected.
Planning Commissioner John Neal emphasized the need for a plan, while Mayor Julie Cline stated the desire to have regulations in place beforehand. The town is looking to emulate Weld County's recent zoning adjustments, which restrict data centers to industrial areas and require utility confirmation and special review. Proposed Windsor regulations include requiring closed-loop water systems or efficient technology, on-site wastewater treatment, self-generation of power without grid connection, and a 65-decibel noise cap, with development limited to high-industrial areas away from sensitive sites.
Gabi Bosiacki, a spokeswoman for the proposed Global AI data center between Windsor and Greeley, provided data on closed-loop water system efficiency. Officials, including Town Board Member Brian Jones, highlighted the potential for significant property and sales tax revenue from data centers, citing Johnstown's estimates of $19 million in property taxes over five years from a single data center. Residents submitted 55 online comments, primarily expressing concerns about water usage and the process's transparency. The town affirmed its intention to hold more meetings before drafting an official ordinance, encouraging residents to provide constructive feedback via email.