Berthoud, Weld and Larimer Counties Address Data Center Development and Regulations

Weld County commissioners recently amended their land use and development code to include data centers, defining them and setting regulations for zoning, electricity, water, and noise. This action followed Global AI's acquisition of 438 acres in Weld County for a proposed data center project.

In the nearby town of Berthoud, officials have been preparing for potential data center interest. Town Administrator Chris Kirk indicated that Berthoud's most realistic location for a large data center is the 2,200-acre Turion site, which is split between Berthoud and Mead. Berthoud previously rejected a developer's plans for metropolitan districts on part of this site. The town's amended Land Use Code, approved in November, defines data centers and outlines a rigorous special use permit process for development in M-2 Industrial Districts, requiring public hearings and extensive reviews for impacts like noise, traffic, and utility costs. Kirk emphasized that large data centers would necessitate significant power infrastructure upgrades from Xcel Energy, a common hurdle in broader discussions about such facilities.

Further regional activity includes Larimer County, where officials unanimously agreed to a 30-day moratorium on data center applications in unincorporated areas, which was later extended for an additional six months. Rebecca Everette, the county

’s community development director, cited concerns that existing land use codes did not adequately address the growing scale and impacts of data centers on electric facilities and water use. Planning Manager Jenny Axmacher noted increased interest from two groups for land-use applications, prompting the moratorium to allow staff to learn more. The moratorium explicitly does not apply to municipalities like Berthoud. Larimer County has since opened a public feedback portal on data center development.