Lawmakers can stop corporate welfare by voting against a $60 million tax break for data centers (Opinion)

This opinion piece in The Denver Post criticizes Colorado House Bill 1030, which would provide a 100% state sales and use tax exemption for at least 20 years to technology companies building data centers in the state. The author argues this tax break amounts to unfair corporate welfare that will direct taxpayer money away from the public good to benefit private interests of large tech companies like Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft. The author contends data centers consume enormous amounts of energy and water while creating relatively few local jobs. They state data centers employ around 27 full-time workers on average, less than a busy chain restaurant or big box store. The author also argues the tax break is unfair to other businesses that pay their full state sales and use taxes. While the bill requires companies to meet certain criteria like creating new jobs and obtaining clean energy certifications, the author is skeptical these benefits will outweigh the significant loss in state tax revenue. They argue the legislature should focus on reducing regulatory burdens for all businesses rather than playing favorites with tax breaks for large tech companies.