Garfield County, Colorado, Prepares for Potential Data Center Development; Energy Company Assesses Capacity
Holy Cross Energy presented to Garfield County commissioners, asserting the county's energy capacity could meet future data center demand by 2031. Commissioners discussed proactive zoning changes for the county's land use code, as smaller data centers are expected to eye the region, which has largely avoided large-scale data center development so far.
Bryan Hannegan, president and CEO of Holy Cross Energy, informed the Garfield Board of County Commissioners that Garfield County, Colorado, could see data center development proposals by 2031. Hannegan, whose company serves Garfield, Pitkin, and Eagle counties with 90% carbon-free energy, expressed confidence that Holy Cross Energy's growing capacity, projected to reach 78 megawatts by 2035, could accommodate demand from smaller data centers, likely in the 10-20 megawatt range, which would serve local communities along Interstate 70.
The discussion comes as data center development has surged nationally due to AI demands, often facing community opposition over energy prices, water consumption, and noise pollution. While Garfield County has largely avoided large-scale projects like Colorado Springs' Project Taurus, which demands over 50 megawatts and 200,000 gallons of water daily, commissioners like Tom Jankovsky emphasized the need to proactively update the county's land use code.
This proactive approach follows Rifle City Council's earlier discussions on stricter land-use regulations after receiving inquiries from data center developers. Developers have historically avoided Colorado's Western Slope due to water scarcity and expensive land, but improving internet infrastructure could make the region more attractive. Holy Cross Energy, as a utility, focuses on ensuring capacity to meet electricity demand regardless of project type.