Proposed data center regulation feedback needed
A recent moratorium on data center applications in unincorporated Larimer County has provided community members with an opportunity to share feedback on proposed data center regulations.
Members of the community are asked to complete a short online survey to develop these regulations. Click https://engage.larimer.gov/datacenter to participate in the survey and learn more about the regulations. The survey is open until June 12, 2026.
Data centers are high-intensity computing facilities that can have significant impacts on resources and infrastructure.
Unincorporated Larimer County currently does not have any regulations in place for the operation of data centers. The Board of Larimer County Commissioners adopted a moratorium until August 25, 2026, for applications for new data centers.
The pause is being used to gather public input and information to develop land use regulations to address the impacts of these facilities, including:
- Water Consumption: The high cooling demand of industrial-scale computing.
- Power Usage: The significant electrical load required to operate these facilities.
- Possible nuisances related to noise, aesthetics, heat effects, and others.
- Suitable zoning to guide where data centers could be located.
No site-specific data center applications have been submitted to Larimer County at this time. The Larimer County Land Use Code regulates development by establishing zoning districts, permitting land uses, and applying specific standards to implement the Comprehensive Plan in unincorporated Larimer County. County zoning only applies outside of incorporated cities and towns.
