Colorado cities of Brighton, Arvada weigh data centers moratoriums
Brighton and Arvada, Colorado, are considering temporary moratoriums on new data center development while officials study infrastructure impacts and develop regulations. Brighton is weighing a 180-day pause, while Arvada is considering an 18-month moratorium, with public hearings and votes scheduled for Oct. 6.
Brighton City Council is considering a proposed 180-day moratorium on accepting or approving data center permits, licenses, zoning applications and other land-use requests. The city says existing rules do not adequately address data centers and wants time to develop regulations covering impacts on water, wastewater, the electrical grid, health and safety. The pause could be extended by 90 days, with ordinance readings scheduled for Oct. 6 and Oct. 20.
Arvada officials are considering an 18-month moratorium, citing similar gaps in zoning, land-use and building codes and the need to evaluate setbacks, noise, water consumption and energy use. A public hearing and final council vote are scheduled for Oct. 6. The article also notes that Aurora rejected a moratorium in August, although Mayor Mike Coffman has called for changes to the city’s data center approval process.