Weld County Adds Data Centers to County Code During Drought

Weld County Commissioners approved Ordinance 2026-01 on April 6, updating the county code to define data centers and establish guidelines for their development in unincorporated Weld County. The new code clarifies data centers as facilities housing IT equipment with no limitation on peak electrical load, allowing associated ancillary structures like cooling water tanks and backup power systems up to 50 megawatts. This decision came after discussions and public comment during the board meeting. Residents expressed significant concerns regarding the potential impacts of AI data centers, citing noise pollution, substantial water usage, and high electricity consumption. Many residents, including a Loveland resident who highlighted Colorado's severe drought conditions, urged the board to delay the decision, arguing the county lacks sufficient water resources. Data from the Association for Cleaning and Facility Solutions indicates AI data centers consumed 17 billion gallons of water in 2023, with projections rising to 68 billion gallons by 2028. Despite the public opposition, the ordinance passed with a 4-1 vote after approximately three hours of public comment from over 25 residents. David Eisenbraun, director of Weld County’s Department of Planning and Development Services, noted Colorado's semi-arid climate and suggested future developments could use dry cooling or closed-loop systems, though the county chose not to mandate specific technologies due to rapid industry changes. Eisenbraun emphasized that data centers, if properly zoned and mitigated, could offer benefits through property tax revenue and minimal infrastructure impact. The approved code prohibits data centers on agricultural land, mandates "Will Serve" letters for electricity, and implements dBA noise regulations. While Weld County approved its ordinance, Denver City Council, led by Mayor Mike Johnston, proposed a moratorium on new data centers to review regulations, a contrasting approach within Colorado, where over 50 data centers operate across five markets.