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Alamosa council advances 1-year moratorium on utility-scale battery storage, data centers amid debate
Summary
Council approved first reading of an ordinance imposing a yearlong moratorium (until July 2027 unless superseded) on utility-scale battery energy storage systems and large-load data centers to allow study of water use, fire risks, noise and siting; some councilors urged an immediate ban while staff asked for a measured public process.
Planning staff explained the proposed Ordinance 20-2026 would pause the acceptance or approval of new utility-scale battery energy storage systems and large data centers in the city for one year to give the city time to study siting, water use, fire-code and end-of-life disposal issues. "The technology is changing really quickly," the planner told council members, describing possible risks including water demand, thermal-runaway fires in older systems and noise from air-cooled systems.
Councilors split on the appropriate next step. One councilor argued for a complete ban and said the council could implement one that evening, but others said the moratorium had been posted properly while a ban had not and warned against acting without additional staff background and public notice. Several members supported expediting staff work so the city could consider a ban within the moratorium period if warranted.
After discussion the council voted to approve Ordinance 20-2026 on first reading, setting a public hearing and giving staff up to a year to return with recommendations or regulations. Staff emphasized the moratorium would allow the city to craft regulations and that existing development-code levers could be used to delay any pending applications in the short term.
What’s next: the moratorium remains in effect for up to a year unless the council supersedes it with different action; staff will continue background work and public outreach prior to a potential second-reading/public hearing.
