Broomfield approves 18-month moratorium on large new, expanded data centers

Broomfield City Council voted July 7 to impose an 18-month moratorium on new or expanded data center facilities projected at 10 megawatts or more while it studies local standards, setbacks, water use and other impacts.

Under the ordinance, the city will not accept land-use, planning, building or engineering applications — or pre-submittal activities — for covered facilities, according to the ordinance in the council packet. The moratorium expires Dec. 2, 2027, unless Broomfield adopts new rules sooner.

The ordinance defines a covered facility as one with projected load requirements of at least 10 megawatts. It does not apply to minor site changes or to changes at existing facilities that do not expand or intensify data-center operations, the ordinance says.

City staff said the pause is meant to give Broomfield time to draft rules before more large projects move forward. The council packet cites concerns about electrical power, water supply, telecommunications, transportation, surrounding land uses, natural resources, public services and community character. Staff also said at the meeting that the review would look at setbacks and water use, the July 7 council video shows.

The meeting record points to at least one potential project that could be affected. Staff said Broomfield's largest known data center is about 6.3 megawatts and that an expansion request is expected, but the facility was not named in the record.

Broomfield's action follows recent moratoriums in nearby counties. Jefferson County adopted a 10-month pause in May on new applications or rezonings for data centers, with an exception for some land already zoned for the use. Boulder County adopted a moratorium of up to six months in June for unincorporated county applications for data centers and detention centers while code amendments are drafted.