Colorado Springs delays data center vote after raucous hearing
The Colorado Springs City Council delayed a final vote on a controversial data center proposal near Garden of the Gods until at least April. The decision followed a contentious public hearing with overwhelming opposition, including a scuffle involving police and protesters. Council members sought more information regarding potential noise and power complications.
The Colorado Springs City Council voted 7-2 to delay a final decision on a contentious data center proposal near Garden of the Gods until at least April. This followed a day-long, raucous public hearing where speakers overwhelmingly voiced opposition to the project.
A scuffle erupted between police and protesters, with three individuals reportedly taken into custody after claiming they were denied speaking time and attempting to use a megaphone. Citizen groups had appealed the Planning Commission’s conditional approval of the developer's plan to the City Council.
Council members, after hearing extensive public testimony, requested more information on the potential noise and other impacts from the proposed data center, which developers stated could draw up to 50 megawatts of power from Colorado Springs Utilities. Matt Grubesic, a citizen speaker and county commission candidate, criticized the administrative approval process and called for the council to reverse the decision.