Residents urge Montrose County to consider moratorium on data centers over water and grid concerns

Several Montrose County residents used the June 3 public comment period to urge the County to consider a moratorium or regulations on data center development.

Tony Hogue (17908 Old Paradox Road) told commissioners that data centers can use millions of gallons of water, draw large blocks of electricity and can impose infrastructure costs on local ratepayers. He referenced inquiries for large facilities (cited a 50-megawatt inquiry) and national examples where communities faced water depletion and grid stress. "I am here to ask the Board of County Commissioners to implement a moratorium on data centers," Hogue said.

Other speakers echoed his concerns. Amanda Clements, who said she and a co-owner have backgrounds in natural resource management, described local tree die-off she attributed to climate change and urged the county to act preemptively so rules are in place before applications arrive. Carol Howe recommended that any data center pay its own infrastructure costs, post bonds to cover decommissioning, and only be sited where ecological impacts would be minimal. Janet Chapman, a member of Citizens Climate Lobby, noted that state legislative attempts to regulate data centers were tabled and said a county-level moratorium could be a stopgap while state policy evolves.

No motion or formal direction on data center regulation was taken on June 3; commissioners thanked speakers and proceeded with the agenda. The comments were recorded for commissioners' consideration in future land-use and planning discussions.