BROOMFIELD, Colo. — Broomfield City Council unanimously approved an 18-month moratorium on new data center development Tuesday night, making the city the latest in a growing list of Colorado communities hitting pause on the rapidly expanding industry.
The moratorium temporarily halts the acceptance and review of land-use applications for new or expanded data center facilities that require 10 megawatts or more of power.
City officials said the pause gives them time to draft new local rules around zoning and water use, while the year-and-a-half window also accounts for potential state data center regulations expected in 2027.
"My big concern is those mega centers that guzzle water like there's no tomorrow," said Broomfield resident Jesse Applegate, who spoke in favor of the moratorium during Tuesday's public hearing.
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City officials said Broomfield has four data-processing companies, along with one larger data center facility designed to consume 20 megawatts of power but currently using 6.3 megawatts.
During the pause, city officials said applications for minor changes that do not expand existing data centers are allowed.
Broomfield city leaders said the 10-megawatt threshold was chosen because it is half the designed capacity of the city's largest data center, and because any facility using 10 megawatts or more has the potential to affect the community's environment and energy use.
The council voted nine to zero in favor of the pause.
"I would like to see it expanded over 18 months, but I think that's a good starting point," said another Broomfield resident during Tuesday's public comment.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Broomfield City Councilmember Austin Ward, who represents Ward 2, raised concerns about Broomfield supplying water to neighboring jurisdictions that could approve data center development. City officials said the ordinance approved Tuesday applies only to building applications within Broomfield city limits and does not regulate water use in outside jurisdictions served by Broomfield utilities.
