Lochbuie pauses data centers with 5-year moratorium
Lochbuie, Colorado, has approved a five-year moratorium on new and expanded data centers, making it the longest such pause in the state. Town leaders took a proactive approach due to concerns observed in other communities, particularly regarding water usage, and received significant community support for the pause. This decision follows Denver's earlier one-year moratorium to work on data center regulations.
The Lochbuie Town council, located northeast of Denver, has enacted a five-year moratorium on new or expanded data centers. This decision marks the longest known moratorium of its kind in Colorado, according to the Colorado Municipal League.
Town leaders stated that while no data center projects have been proposed in Lochbuie yet, they opted for a proactive measure after observing developments and issues in other communities. The initiative garnered significant support from residents, with hundreds of emails received, including one from a young resident expressing concern over potential water usage by data centers.
This move by Lochbuie follows a similar action taken by Denver city leaders earlier this year, who announced a one-year pause on new data centers to develop regulatory frameworks. Lochbuie's more extended moratorium reflects a strong local desire to control future development and address potential impacts like water consumption.