Colorado’s largest data center could rise next to homes—without a public hearing
A large data center project proposed by Vantage Data Centers in Aurora, Colorado, is facing significant community opposition due to concerns over its massive energy and water consumption and potential environmental impacts. Despite being permitted administratively, state and local officials are urging community engagement, while the Aurora City Council recently rejected a moratorium but is advancing regulations on water use and buffer zones. This development reflects a broader trend of local opposition and moratoriums on data centers across Colorado and nationwide.
Vantage Data Centers is proposing the Trident Data Center, slated to be Colorado's largest, on a 143-acre site in Aurora, near a residential development. The project is designed for 334 megawatts of IT capacity, with a total electrical demand of approximately 500 megawatts, consuming power equivalent to 11 times Denver International Airport. Local residents are largely unaware of the project, which is in an industrial zone allowing administrative approval without public hearings, a process that has drawn criticism.
The proposed data center, like another CoreSite facility in Denver, is located in an area already burdened by pollution. Critics highlight the environmental impact of 28 emergency diesel backup generators and substantial water requirements, with one building initially needing 800,000 gallons. Community opposition is mounting, driven by concerns over air quality, water scarcity, and the strain on the power grid. Seven in 10 Americans reportedly oppose data centers in their communities.
This local backlash is part of a national trend, with Denver and numerous other municipalities statewide enacting moratoriums on data center developments. Although Aurora City Council rejected a proposed six-month moratorium, it approved a resolution tasking the city manager with developing measures to regulate water use and establish buffer zones, including requiring closed-loop chillers for cooling. State officials, including the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, have strongly recommended Vantage hold community meetings before applying for permits. Xcel Energy, Colorado's largest utility, is also proposing new rates for large-load electricity customers, expecting significant demand growth from data centers, sparking further debate on renewable energy and grid upgrades.