Cheyenne Residents Petition to Overturn Microsoft Data Center Annexation
Cheyenne residents are gathering signatures for a referendum to overturn the City Council's 6-3 approval of Microsoft's annexation of 3,460 acres for a large data center campus. Concerns include the City Council prioritizing data center interests over public good and a recent contamination incident involving a Meta data center. The petition requires 3,000 signatures by August 2, 2026.
Cheyenne residents are actively pursuing a ballot referendum to reverse the City Council's recent decision to annex 3,460 acres of land for a proposed Microsoft data center campus. The annexation, which would allow the tech giant to connect to city utilities and services, was approved by a 6-3 vote despite significant public objection during council meetings.
Local opposition, including a "National Day of Protest against Data Centers," highlights concerns that the City Council is prioritizing data center development over the community's best interests. Residents point to a recent contamination of the city's sanitary sewer system by a Meta data center as evidence of potential risks, questioning the safety assurances from developers.
To trigger the referendum and potentially overturn the annexation, 3,000 legally registered Cheyenne voters must sign a petition by August 2, 2026. Signature collection locations include the Laramie County Public Library.