An outside review of Colorado Springs’ data center rules identified 14 policy options for city leaders, the city said Nov. 3. Mayor Yemi Mobolade had requested the Romer Institute of Evidence-based Policy analysis earlier in the year.
The city’s summary pointed to a tool many municipalities lack: direct authority over a city-owned utility’s rates and service conditions. It said Colorado Springs Utilities had introduced safeguards in January for electric customers seeking at least 10 megawatts, including long-term commitments and responsibility for certain infrastructure costs.
The review also identified possible changes involving a separate data center land-use category, thresholds for extra oversight, noise and water-use requirements, clearer public participation and community investment. Those were options for consideration, not a new set of rules adopted by the announcement. The Planning Department was developing recommendations for potential Unified Development Code changes.
