Protesters stage noise demo against data center
Opponents of the proposed AI data center, Project Tourists, by California-based company Rating, staged a noise demonstration in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Residents are concerned about noise, water, and electricity usage. The Colorado Springs City Council is set to make a final decision on the project's future.
Residents in Colorado Springs, Colorado, demonstrated against "Project Tourists," a proposed AI data center by Rating, a California-based technology company. The protest focused on anticipated noise pollution, with opponents using a 90-decibel demonstration to illustrate their concerns, despite the project's planned location at the former Intel chip manufacturing facility southwest of Garden of the Gods and Centennial Boulevard.
Beyond noise, residents voiced significant concerns regarding the data center's potential water and electricity consumption. Organizers expressed a desire to broaden public engagement before the Colorado Springs City Council delivers its final verdict on the project.
In response, Rating's co-founder and president refuted the protesters' claims, stating that the company has a contract with the city stipulating a strict 55-decibel noise limit. The company's internal noise study reportedly estimates operations will be around 41 decibels, labeling the 90-decibel claim as "misinformation, disinformation, and irresponsibility." The Colorado Springs City Council is scheduled to hold a special meeting on Thursday to decide the project's future.