Colorado Residents Oppose Data Centers Near Neighborhoods
A new poll reveals that 86% of Coloradans oppose local data centers, complicating future site planning across the state.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Data Centers
Live Poll
Should local governments restrict the construction of data centers in or near residential neighborhoods?
Community organizers and environmental advocates recently toured industrial sites in Denver, including facilities operated by CoreSite and QTS, to highlight regional environmental impacts. The event coincided with rising public scrutiny regarding the placement of data centers near residential neighborhoods in Colorado.
Why it matters
The tour underscores a growing disconnect between the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure and community sentiment, as Coloradans increasingly link data centers to concerns over resource consumption and local industrial zoning.
Magellan Strategies reported that 82% of Coloradans believe data centers consume excessive water, while 78% attribute rising electricity costs to these facilities. These figures contrast with the scale of major operators like CoreSite, a $10 billion company, currently scaling operations in urban centers.
The players
CoreSite
A $10 billion data center operator that provides colocation services and digital infrastructure.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
The state agency tasked with regulating environmental standards and protecting public health.
Colorado Sierra Club
An environmental advocacy organization that coordinates campaigns regarding land use and industrial impact.
QTS Data Center
A major provider of data center solutions that manages large-scale digital infrastructure footprints.
The details
The Pollution and Solutions bus tour transported academics, health experts, and policymakers to photograph and document conditions at the CoreSite facility in Elyria-Swansea, a QTS Data Center, and the Suncor refinery in Commerce City. By placing data centers alongside established industrial sites, the organizers aim to draw comparisons between the cumulative environmental footprint of digital infrastructure and traditional heavy industry. This comes as the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has formally raised concerns regarding the operational impact of the CoreSite center on the surrounding community.
Timeline
October 7, 2026: Press release issued regarding the bus tour.
October 14, 2026: The bus tour occurred.
Week of October 16, 2026: The Supreme Court heard arguments in Boulder County v. Suncor.
The Tech Race
The tour directly aligns with the legal climate established by the Supreme Court case Boulder County v. Suncor, which remains a focal point for Colorado's industrial oversight. This marks a shift toward applying similar accountability frameworks to data centers that were previously reserved for traditional refineries.
Coloradans may see increased public debate and potential new land-use policies during future local government sessions. This shift may influence how municipal planners approve site selections for upcoming hyperscale developments across the state.
The takeaway
The gap between data center growth and public acceptance creates a significant hurdle for infrastructure expansion. Stakeholders should track future zoning board hearings in Denver and surrounding counties to see if high public opposition translates into new operational requirements.
Further reading
For broader trends in regional infrastructure management, read more in Data Centers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Yellow Scene Magazine.
Live Poll
Should local governments restrict the construction of data centers in or near residential neighborhoods?
