Westminster council expected to look at data center ban
Westminster City Council is expected to consider a ban on data centers due to concerns raised by residents regarding environmental impacts like water usage and noise pollution. This consideration follows similar actions by other Colorado cities and counties, including Denver and Jefferson County, which have already enacted bans or moratoriums.
Westminster City Councilors are scheduled to discuss a potential ban on data centers within the city next week. This initiative stems from resident concerns, articulated by Ellen Buckley, who emphasized the environmental and fiscal costs associated with large data centers, specifically citing significant water consumption and unbearable noise pollution.
The discussion in Westminster mirrors actions taken by other Colorado municipalities. Jefferson County previously adopted a moratorium in May, prohibiting new applications for data center rezoning or development until March 2027, with certain exceptions for pre-zoned land. Similarly, Denver City Council banned the construction of any new data centers in May, and Thornton is also expected to consider a data center ban soon.
Colorado currently hosts approximately 50 to 60 operational data centers, predominantly located in the Denver Metro and Colorado Springs areas, with major operators including QTS, Flexential, Iron Mountain, and CoreSite. The industry is facing increasing regulatory scrutiny, with moratoriums in places like Denver and Broomfield driven by concerns over power and water resources.