Montrose County staff recommends six‑month moratorium on data centers while zoning rules are drafted

County staff recommended a temporary moratorium on new data‑center applications at the June 29 Montrose County work session so the county can draft zoning regulations and solicit public feedback.

Julie Andres, Montrose County attorney, said the county currently has no specific zoning language addressing data centers and that staff proposes a six‑month moratorium — the same duration the county used previously for solar regulations — to prevent new applications while the rules are developed. "We are recommending that the commissioners go ahead and enact a moratorium so that we don't have any new applications while we build that new zoning regulations," Andres said.

Why it matters: Data centers raise questions about land use, utility capacity, water and power demand, and siting; staff told commissioners the moratorium would provide time to research impacts, draft regulatory language and hold public outreach sessions before any new applications are accepted. Commissioners discussed cross‑checking the process with public comment and ensuring adequate opportunity for community input.

Next steps: Planning staff said they will work with county attorneys and other staff (including input from Commissioner Joe) to draft proposed zoning language and a public engagement plan. If adopted, the moratorium would freeze acceptance of new applications for six months while staff completes the regulatory work.