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Resident urges commissioners to oppose possible Penrose data center, commissioners say no application is pending
Summary
A Penrose resident told the Fremont County commissioners she opposes a rumored data center at the old Domar plant, citing noise, water and pollution concerns. Commissioners said no county application is before them, confirmed a tiny-home conversion by Micus, and said they will monitor state policy and local impacts.
A longtime Penrose resident told the Fremont County Board of County Commissioners she will oppose any attempt to convert the former Domar plant area into a data center, arguing such a facility would bring "pollution, noise" and excessive water use to a rural community.
"I do not want a data center in Fremont County," Regina Meltter told the board during the public-comment period, saying she was speaking as a 44-year Penrose resident and that neighbors would attend future meetings to oppose the project.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the county is sensitive to water and energy demands for data centers and that local land-use authority and state decisions will shape any future proposals. The exchange clarified that, as of the meeting, the county had received no application for a data center and that a separate company, Micus, is renovating the old plant for a tiny-home production use.
The chair responded directly to Meltterby saying the board is "unaware of any planned application for Fremont County to bring a data center here" and noted that Florence's master plan is a separate municipal document that cannot on its own place a development in unincorporated county land.
Commissioners reiterated practical concerns about data centers in arid regions. "Water usage is a big concern," one commissioner said, noting that some centers use water-cooled systems and that Colorado's water availability differs from states on the East Coast. The board said state legislation on data centers has been inconsistent and that any county response would have to take state statute into account.
The exchange also addressed local development already underway: Commissioner Grantham said he had toured the site and that Micus is actively improving the building to produce tiny homes rather than operating a data center. County officials emphasized the difference between a municipal master plan and county land-use authority and urged residents who have concerns to follow future agenda items.
What happens next: Commissioners said the conversation will continue as the state and local plans evolve; there was no vote or formal direction taken at the meeting.
