Vantage data center gets zone change OK from Laramie County on Tuesday

The Laramie County Board of Commissioners has approved a zone change for "Project Latigo," a large-scale data center campus proposed by Denver-based developer Vantage Data Centers. The 1,835-acre project, located 12 miles south of Cheyenne, Wyoming, near Terry Ranch Road, will add significant data center infrastructure to Laramie County.

Vantage Senior Government Affairs Manager Matt Clark informed the commission that the project represents an investment of up to $20 billion and is expected to create up to 2,000 local jobs. The campus is designed to include modular housing units and RV pads for workers, aiming to alleviate pressure on the Cheyenne housing market. It will also feature on-site natural gas power generation. The land, originally zoned for general Land Use, was re-zoned to Planned Unit Development, allowing the county to implement specific regulations regarding building height, setbacks, noise limits, and dark sky lighting.

Addressing environmental concerns, Vantage representatives, including Development Director Tim Denenberg, committed to employing closed-loop water systems and pledged to restore 110 gallons of water for every 100 gallons used through projects like floodplain and wetland restoration within Laramie County. Commissioner Troy Thompson raised questions about monitoring these water restoration efforts, which Denenberg said he would follow up on. Commission Chair Gunnar Malm praised Vantage's collaborative approach, particularly concerning water and power resources, noting the company's commitment to Laramie County's development expectations.