Mesa County Considers Moratorium on Data Center Applications

The Mesa County Board of Commissioners plans to consider a temporary moratorium on data centers for unincorporated property at its September 29 meeting. The draft resolution would block land use applications and hearings, and prohibit the county from negotiating inducements for 12 months. This pause is intended to allow the county to rewrite its Land Development Code, which would address criteria such as water and electrical demands.

The moratorium is a response to increased pressure for data center development throughout Colorado and the Intermountain West. By pausing applications, Mesa County aims to establish new standards for these facilities, which could impact future infrastructure and land use planning in the region.