Colorado
Under DiscussionNo statewide moratorium. Denver City Council voted unanimously on May 18, 2026 to enact a one-year moratorium on new data center zoning permits and site development plans, prompted by Stage 1 drought conditions and Denver Water's call for a 20% reduction; already-permitted work is exempt (CoreSite's DE3 is grandfathered while two additional planned buildings are halted), and the city is forming a task force. Larimer County has an active moratorium, Logan County enacted and lifted one after passing regulations, and Weld County adopted new zoning requirements. On July 7, 2026 the City and County of Broomfield unanimously approved an 18-month moratorium (through December 2027) on data centers using 10 MW or more. Colorado Springs' Planning Commission approved Project Taurus 6-2 on August 3, 2026 with conditions including a 50 MW cap and a requirement that utility data be published; an appeal was filed and the City Council is expected to decide in September. Mead's trustees added a 12-month moratorium on a 4-2 vote on August 31, 2026, to study infrastructure, water use and setbacks before accepting applications. Colorado Springs' council voted 7-2 on September 17, 2026 to postpone a decision on the Project Taurus data center appeal to April 2027 pending a utilities contract and citywide data center rules, and Moffat County commissioners postponed a vote on a proposed six-to-twelve-month moratorium to October 13 to gather public input.
Local Actions
City Council unanimously (9-0) approved Ordinance 2313 on July 7, 2026, an 18-month moratorium through December 2027 on new data centers using 10 MW or more.
City Council voted unanimously on May 18, 2026 to enact a one-year moratorium on new data center zoning permits and site development plans. Exempts already-permitted work (CoreSite's DE3 grandfathered; two additional planned buildings halted) and telecom-focused facilities. Prompted by Stage 1 drought and Denver Water's call for 20% water reduction; city forming a task force.
Moratorium on new data center permits in unincorporated areas, extended to August 25, 2026. County developing specific land-use regulations for data centers.
Six-month moratorium on data center projects. Lifted in late February 2026 after county adopted new regulations. County now expects a potential $15B data center proposal.
Updated land use code to allow data centers with new requirements. Permitted via admin review in industrial zones; requires special review in agricultural areas. Restrictions on noise, power, and water usage.
Planning Commission approved the Project Taurus data center 6-2 with restrictions including a 50 MW limit and utility data publication requirements. An appeal was filed; City Council decision expected in September 2026.
Trustees voted 4-2 on August 31, 2026 to impose a 12-month moratorium on data center applications while staff study infrastructure demands, water use and setbacks; it can end early if regulations are completed sooner.
Commissioners postponed a vote on a proposed 6-to-12-month data center moratorium to October 13, 2026 to gather public input; the planning commission recommends a 6-month maximum if adopted.