DC-26-0003: Data Centers

Draft Regulations for Data Centers

Staff propose two options for text amendments to the Boulder County Land Use Code related to data centers. Both options define data centers and allow them up to 75 kW of IT energy, which is equivalent to the average daily energy use of 2.5 homes. Option 1 defines a data center and establishes it as a general industrial use permitted by Limited Impact Special Review in the Light Industrial and General Industrial zoning districts. Under this definition only data centers up to 75 kW of IT energy would be allowed. Data centers over 75 kW of IT energy are not allowed.

Option 1: Proposed Text Amendments for Data Center

Option 2 defines a data center in Article 18 definitions and does not allow any data center over 75 kW of IT energy in the unincorporated county by amending the General Industrial use definition.

Option 2: Proposed Text Amendments for Data Center

The docket review process for the proposed Text Amendments to the Land Use Code included a public hearing before the Boulder County Planning Commission and the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners. Confirmation of the anticipated public hearing dates and times will be published online and in local newspapers.

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Background

On June 2, 2026, the Board of County Commissioners authorized staff to update the Boulder County Land Use Code as it relates to data center uses.

Documents:

Authorization under the Boulder County Land Use Code for Text Amendments to the Land Use Code related to Data Centers

Please note that any proposed changes to the Boulder County Land Use Code are for unincorporated areas in Boulder County, not in cities like Boulder or Longmont. Boulder County’s unincorporated areas are comprised of the rural, mountainous and plains communities that are not part of any incorporated municipality.

The Board of County Commissioners expressed concerns about the potential land use impacts of data centers. Many communities are facing challenges related to the development of resource-intensive data centers. The primary concern is that the Code does not currently define data centers as specific uses, identify the scale at which they may or may not be appropriate in the unincorporated county, or identify zoning districts in which the use may or may not occur. The Commissioners expressed interest in prohibiting these uses in the unincorporated county. Through a Code change, staff will define these uses and identify the places and scale at which they may or may not be permitted in the unincorporated county.

As part of this process, the Boulder County Commissioners also enacted a temporary moratorium effective June 2, 2026. While the moratorium is in effect, Community Planning and Permitting will not accept any applications for data centers. The moratorium will be in effect for six months while changes to the Land Use Code are considered.

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