Larimer County approves 30-day pause on data center applications amid concern about utilities and code gaps

Larimer County commissioners voted 3–0 on Jan. 27 to approve a consent-agenda resolution placing a 30-day pause on processing applications for data-center facilities in unincorporated Larimer County.

Community Development Director Rebecca Everett told the board that data centers are an “emerging land use” that can generate significant demands on electric and water infrastructure and that the county’s current land-use code lacks clear standards to address those impacts. “The purpose of the temporary moratorium would allow the county time to explore the benefits and impacts of data centers and identify what regulations may be most appropriate,” Everett said.

Everett said the moratorium is not intended as a ban but as a short pause to develop definitions, standards and conditions; staff will bring more detailed recommendations to a Feb. 6 land-use hearing. The director also said that if the board wishes, the county can consider extending the moratorium at that public hearing for up to six months, the length allowed by statute for this type of pause.

Commissioners asked about how the county will notify the public. Everett said required public-notice practices for land-use code amendments include publication in the local newspaper and posting the hearing agenda online; because the moratorium is countywide rather than tied to a particular parcel, mailed notices to all property owners are not used. She also noted that news coverage to date would help inform residents of the upcoming hearing.

The vote to approve the consent agenda — which included the moratorium and several routine contracts and certifications — was recorded as 3–0, and the board directed staff to continue drafting the code language and public-notice materials ahead of the Feb. 6 hearing.