Petitions seek to place noise restrictions, surveillance cameras and water limits on Colorado Springs ballot
Petitions have been filed in Colorado Springs to place ballot initiatives for noise restrictions, limits on high-volume water usage for new non-residential developments, and restrictions on automated tracking cameras. While not explicitly targeting data centers, the water and noise proposals would directly affect the proposed Project Taurus data center. These citizen-led initiatives seek to give residents a say in local development and will require over 25,000 signatures to qualify for the April 2027 ballot.
Petitioners in Colorado Springs, including former Councilmember Joel Miller and his wife Anita Miller, along with Adriane Nau, are preparing to gather over 25,000 signatures to place four initiatives on the April 2027 ballot. The City Clerk's office has given final approval to the petition titles.
These proposed measures, while broadly aimed at various developments, would directly impact the planned Project Taurus data center, which the Colorado Springs City Council is expected to consider on September 17. Specifically, one petition seeks to prohibit any development causing noise "detrimental to the quiet enjoyment of property" without extensive acoustical studies, and another aims to restrict non-residential additions using over 200,000 gallons of water daily, a threshold that includes the Project Taurus data center's closed-loop cooling system.
Additionally, a third petition seeks to eliminate most noise hardship permits for existing businesses, while a fourth aims to ban all "automated location tracking technology" operated by Colorado Springs. The petitioners are relying on volunteers for signature gathering, aiming to submit petitions by December 7 for inclusion in next year's election, according to City spokesperson Max D'Onofrio. Anita Miller emphasized that these initiatives empower citizens to have a say in their property, water, and personal tracking.