Weld County commissioners approve industrial zoning for data centers

Weld County commissioners have approved a new zoning code that limits data center development exclusively to industrial zones within unincorporated Weld County. The 4-1 vote on Monday establishes specific regulations for data center construction, a move prompted by the absence of prior county-specific rules and ongoing discussions in the Colorado Legislature regarding data center incentives. Weld County Commissioner Chair Scott James emphasized the critical infrastructure status of data centers, advocating for a coexistence strategy. The approved code defines data centers with a power draw under 50 megawatts and sets a noise limit of 65 decibels at 25 feet from a property line. Additionally, developers must secure utility confirmation to obtain construction approval, a measure expected to aid water conservation efforts. Initially, agricultural zoning was considered for data centers via a special review process, but after public feedback and Commissioner Jason Maxey's arguments, the board restricted them to industrial zones, a decision that disappointed Commissioner Kevin Ross, who hopes for future reevaluation. Public meetings heavily influenced the code's final form, leading to a use-by-special-review process for industrial zones. A significant debate among commissioners centered on water usage. Commissioner James pushed for a requirement that data centers avoid evaporative cooling, which can consume millions of gallons daily, in favor of closed-loop systems. However, this restriction was voted down by Commissioners Ross, Perry Buck, and Lynette Peppler, with Deputy Director Maxwell Nader opposing mandatory technology specifications. James cast the lone dissenting vote against the land use code, citing concerns about potential water competition between data centers and agriculture.