Lochbuie, Colorado, Passes Five-Year Moratorium on AI Data Centers
Lochbuie Mayor Jamie Jeffery says the town passed a five-year moratorium on AI data centers because of concerns about water consumption, electricity demand, pollution and limited permanent jobs. Opposition from nearby Brighton residents led a proposed data center developer to withdraw its application, while Brighton’s city council advanced a one-year moratorium awaiting final approval.
Lochbuie Mayor Jamie Jeffery argues that local governments can use moratoria to address the potential impacts of AI data centers. The Colorado town passed a five-year ban after residents raised concerns about water scarcity, drought, pollution, noise, electricity use and the limited number of permanent jobs associated with large data centers.
Jeffery also describes developments in neighboring Brighton, where residents opposed a proposed data center. The developer withdrew its application, and the Brighton City Council advanced a one-year moratorium on data center construction, though final approval remained pending. The opinion piece presents local moratoria as a response to what Jeffery characterizes as inadequate federal regulation.