Boulder County Commissioners Approve Changes to the Land Use Code

• Boulder County's Land Use Code was updated on Nov. 10, 2026.
• The updates apply to data centers and detention centers.
• To receive this information in another language, please contact Rick Hackett rhackett@bouldercounty.gov.

Boulder County, Colo. - The Boulder County Commissioners unanimously approved changes to the county’s Land Use Code this week following a temporary moratorium, a comment period, and two public hearings. The changes create definitions for both data centers and detention centers. Under the changes, detention centers are prohibited, and data centers are permitted under 50 kilowatts (kW) in the Light Industrial and General Industrial zoning districts in the unincorporated parts of the county. The changes went into immediate effect on November 10, 2026.

“Data centers and detention centers are now defined in Boulder County’s Land Use Code,” said Commissioner Claire Levy. “It was a priority for the county to be proactive in addressing something that could potentially have a huge impact on our community. These updates to the land use code promote the health, safety, and general welfare of present and future residents of Boulder County.”

“The Boulder County Commissioners have agreed to land use code updates that address the natural resource and climate impacts of data centers and detention centers,” said Commissioner Marta Loachamin. “Thank you to everyone who reached out in support of these changes, which reflect the values of the people of Boulder County. The commissioners are in agreement that this couldn’t be left up to future interpretation.”

“We have taken action to protect the health and welfare of our community,” said Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann. “When we look to other communities, we see data centers and detention centers impacting transportation and roads, noise, electricity, water, and the safety of community members. Thank you to the Boulder County staff, who took a thoughtful approach to these land use changes, which provide a blueprint for other communities to adopt.”

What Does 50 kilowatt (kW) Mean?

In one day, 50 kW of IT energy consumed by a data center would equal as much energy consumed by around 40 average sized homes over the same time period.

Summary of Changes: Data Centers

• Defines a data center use: A facility designed or primarily used for the centralized storage, management, processing, or transmission of digital data, often characterized by high-density computing equipment, specialized electrical and cooling systems, a dedicated uninterruptible power supply or some other form of back-up power, and an information technology (IT) energy load less than or equal to 50 kilowatts (kW). This use does not include data centers larger than 50 kW, which are not permitted under this Code.
• Limits data centers to the Light Industrial and General Industrial zoning districts.
• Requires a Limited Impact Special Review.
• Allows for incidental server rooms or technology infrastructure supporting an allowed principal use.

Summary of Changes: Detention Centers

• Prohibits detention centers in all zoning districts in the unincorporated county.

The staff reports and recording are available on the county’s Meeting Portal.

These Land Use Code changes affect the unincorporated areas of Boulder County, not municipalities like Boulder or Longmont. Boulder County’s unincorporated areas comprise the rural, mountainous and plains communities that are not part of any incorporated municipality. 

Temporary Moratorium Ended

In June, the commissioners passed a temporary moratorium on data center and detention center land use applications while county staff drafted amendments to the county’s Land Use Code. The moratorium ended on November 10, 2026, after the new regulations were passed.

• Visit the County Commissioners' webpage
• View the Commissioners' Meeting Documents and Records
• Email the Board of County Commissioners

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