Broomfield City Council Unanimously Approves Pause on New Data Centers With 18-Month Moratorium

The Broomfield City Council has unanimously approved an 18-month moratorium on new or expanded data centers that require 10 megawatts or more of power. Passed with a 9-0 vote on its second and final reading, Ordinance 2313 immediately halts the acceptance and processing of relevant land-use applications, site plans, and building permits. This pause will remain in effect until December 2, 2027, or until the city establishes permanent regulations, addressing concerns raised by staff and council members regarding power demand, water usage, and broader community impacts.

City and County Attorney Nancy Rogers clarified that the 10-megawatt threshold was chosen to exclude most existing facilities while allowing the City Council to effectively address the potential impact of larger developments on the community. Public sentiment was strongly in favor of the moratorium, with residents expressing concerns about the significant electricity and water consumption by data centers in a state facing drought conditions, some even pushing for an outright ban on facilities over 10 MW.

Councilmember Austin Ward expressed disappointment that the ordinance does not restrict water service to proposed data centers outside Broomfield's land-use jurisdiction, such as in nearby Jefferson County. Councilmember Katie Peterson also inquired about future regulations addressing air and noise pollution from generators, to which staff confirmed these issues are under discussion. The moratorium directly impacts companies like JP Morgan Chase, whose existing data center, while currently operating at 6.3 MW, will be unable to proceed with planned expansions if they would exceed the 10 MW limit, a point affirmed by Rogers despite Councilmember Heidi Henkel's interest in collaboration.