Two more metro Denver cities pass moratoriums on new data centers
Thornton and Commerce City in Colorado have enacted moratoriums on new data center development to address concerns over water and power consumption. These actions follow similar moratoriums passed in Denver, Jefferson County, and Larimer County. Aurora, another Colorado city, is pursuing regulations instead of a moratorium.
Thornton and Commerce City, located in metro Denver, have become the latest Colorado communities to implement moratoriums on new data center development. Commerce City’s City Council passed a six-month moratorium on a 7-1 vote, preventing new applications while the city develops regulations. Similarly, Thornton’s City Council approved a one-year pause on data centers larger than 50,000 square feet, with a 5-3 vote. Both moratoriums took effect immediately.
These actions follow similar decisions made recently by Denver, Jefferson County, and Larimer County. Local leaders and residents across the state express significant concerns regarding the substantial water and power consumption of data centers, an issue amplified by the increasing demands of artificial intelligence.
While many communities opt for a temporary halt, Aurora, Colorado's third-largest city, chose a different approach. After rejecting a moratorium in August, Aurora is now developing a series of regulations for data centers that will be voted on in the coming months. Loveland's City Council also adopted a one-year moratorium to allow time for regulation development.