Loveland to consider path forward on large-scale data centers
Loveland, Colorado, is considering a temporary moratorium on large-scale data centers while the city reviews and updates its regulations. Councilor Sarah Rothberg proposed the moratorium, which is set to return for formal consideration on September 15th after a study session. The discussions focus on the significant electricity and water demands of modern data centers, as the city's current Unified Development Code does not differentiate data centers by size or resource consumption.
The Loveland City Council in Colorado is set to deliberate a potential temporary moratorium on large-scale data center developments. This discussion was initiated by Councilor Sarah Rothberg's June proposal for a moratorium, which will be formally considered on September 15th, following an upcoming study session on the issue.
The city's current Unified Development Code, adopted in 2018, categorizes all data centers uniformly, allowing them by right in six zoning districts without requiring public hearings. However, the rapid growth of AI has led to data centers requiring significantly more power, with hyperscale facilities potentially needing 70 to 700 megawatts, compared to Loveland's record peak electric demand of 189 megawatts.
City staff have proposed updates to the code, including limiting large data centers to industrial zones, requiring additional review processes, and tailoring regulations based on a facility's power and water demands. During the Tuesday discussion, Kyri Baker, an associate professor at the University of Colorado specializing in electric power systems, will provide insights into data center energy demands and their impact on the electric grid and water consumption. The council will not take formal action on Tuesday but will provide direction for Rothberg's moratorium proposal, which seeks to pause applications for data centers requiring at least 10 megawatts or industrial cooling for up to six months or until new regulations are adopted.