Weld County is embracing the AI data center boom despite some residents' environmental concerns

Weld County Commissioner Scott James has voiced strong support for bringing data centers to the region, highlighting potential benefits such as increased tax revenue and improved infrastructure. He views artificial intelligence and the data centers powering it as the future, capable of solving many current problems. His comments come as Global AI submitted an application to build a data center near Windsor, following its purchase of hundreds of acres in the area last year. In contrast to neighboring Larimer County, which has temporarily banned large data centers, Weld County commissioners recently voted to permit them within industrial zones, provided they meet specific conditions, including noise limits. Commissioner James was the sole 'no' vote, advocating for stricter requirements regarding water-efficient cooling systems. Residents, particularly Jeanette Rampone Gulder of Windsor, have raised significant environmental concerns. Gulder, living two miles from the proposed Global AI site, worries about noise, extensive water usage in an already drought-prone area, and impacts on wildlife near the Poudre River Trail. An online petition against data centers, initiated by Windsor residents, has gathered over 700 signatures, demanding environmental impact assessments, water and noise limits, developer transparency, and guarantees against long-term community costs. Weld County planning director David Eisenbraun noted that Global AI's proposal intends to use a significantly smaller amount of water compared to traditional evaporative cooling systems, equivalent to a few single-family homes' usage. The City of Windsor is also negotiating a pre-annexation agreement with Global AI to provide municipal water services. County officials are currently reviewing Global AI's planning application, which includes a noise study suggesting the need for significant mitigations to meet decibel limits in nearby residential areas.