Mesa County to consider data center moratorium

The Mesa County Board of Commissioners in Colorado is set to consider a proposed 12-month moratorium on data center developments in unincorporated areas at its Sept. 29 meeting. The resolution, if passed, would temporarily halt the acceptance and processing of land use applications and related bureaucratic steps for data centers, as well as prevent the county from negotiating inducements for such buildings.

The county states the temporary pause is necessary to allow officials to complete a rewrite of the Land Development Code and develop specific standards for data center facilities, including provisions for review processes, water and electrical demands, and noise standards, without the pressure of pending applications. The move also seeks to align county standards with discussions among Grand Junction City Council members to prevent facilities near municipal boundaries from evading regulation.

The proposal comes amid increasing development pressure in Colorado and the Intermountain West, coupled with significant public opposition. Recent polls indicate strong voter disapproval, with 82% of Colorado voters opposing data centers in their cities and towns, and 75% statewide, primarily citing concerns over water conservation and electricity rates, as well as heat, noise, and light emissions. A May Gallup poll further showed 70% of Americans nationwide opposed data center construction in their area, largely due to resource-related issues.