Huerfano County enacts data center moratorium
Huerfano County Commissioners in Colorado unanimously enacted an immediate moratorium on data center and AI development. This decision was driven by public opposition and concerns regarding potential impacts on water resources and the local power grid.
The Huerfano County Commissioners in Colorado recently passed an immediate, unanimous moratorium on data center and AI development, effective until a formal application for such a project is submitted to the county. Commissioner Mitchell Wardell cited concerns about potential water usage and strain on the power grid as primary reasons for the action.
This decision was significantly influenced by a public comment segment during the meeting, where nearly a dozen citizens voiced their opposition to data center development within the county. While one speaker expressed conditional support for future development if issues like water use and power were addressed, suggesting mandatory closed-loop non-water cooling systems and small nuclear reactors for power, the overall sentiment leaned towards caution.
County Administrator Carl Young indicated that if a land use application is made, the county would draft proposed regulations for these developments, followed by public hearings at both planning and commission levels. These final regulations would incorporate viable suggestions from residents.