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Resident urges Weld County to reconsider AI data center at former Kodak site in Windsor
Summary
A Milliken resident told Weld County commissioners he fears a proposed AI data center at the former Kodak/Carestream facility in Windsor will harm local water supplies, the Poudre River and nearby residents and asked the board to impose stricter limits on operations.
During public comment at the March 18 meeting, Jerrick Sorensen of Milliken urged Weld County commissioners to reconsider a proposed AI data center conversion of the former Carestream/Kodak building in Windsor and to impose stricter operational restrictions.
Sorensen said he was concerned about the siting and environmental impacts of the project, including water consumption and proximity to residences and the Poudre River. “The Carestream Health Kodak site … is less than 5 miles from residential homes, and it is an 18 minute drive from where I'm currently standing,” Sorensen said, arguing that the facility would not be sufficiently rural and that large data centers can take substantial local water resources and have negative environmental impacts.
He also said reports from elsewhere show data centers can negatively affect residents' well‑being within a broad radius and asked the board to consider “even more thorough restrictions on their operations and resource consumption.” Sorensen sought reconsideration of any deal that would allow the facility to operate in a suburban environment.
County staff did not provide a response or take action during the public comment period; the chair acknowledged the remarks and the meeting moved on. The board did not vote or direct staff in response at this session.
Next steps: the comment was entered on the public record; any future formal land‑use or permitting steps for the Kodak site will be subject to planning review and hearing processes.
