Moffat County names data center interests, confirms meetings with officials
Moffat County residents expressed strong opposition to data center development during a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. The county identified Pure-Green and Toto as companies interested in the Trapper area, raising questions about transparency as officials had previously stated no specific projects were driving a regulatory review process. County officials clarified that contacts with these companies were preliminary and exploratory, but documents showing county willingness to examine zoning for Pure-Green's project were found in public records prior to the meeting.
Moffat County officials have identified Pure-Green and Toto as two companies that expressed interest in potential data center development in the county's Trapper area. This disclosure came after residents overwhelmingly opposed data center development during an August 5 Moffat County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, where questions arose about the county's initiation of a data center-specific regulatory review.
Moffat County Commissioner Melody Villard and Natural Resources Director Jeff Comstock met with representatives from both companies, and separate discussions occurred with Planning and Zoning Director Candace Miller. However, Miller had previously told the public at the Aug. 5 meeting that no proposed or speculative projects were before the Planning Department, stating she initiated the review independently.
The county's latest press release characterizes the contacts as preliminary and exploratory, noting no formal applications have been submitted. It also cites letters to both companies, dated April 29, 2026, within the July 14 Board of County Commissioners' consent agenda materials, indicating the county's willingness to allow further exploration and examine zoning for Pure-Green's project, which involves geothermal energy, advanced computing, and an industrial campus. The article highlights an ongoing conflict between official statements of transparency and public perception regarding what officials knew before the Aug. 5 meeting and how that information was presented.