Colorado Springs Planning Commission denies appeals in ‘Project Taurus’ data center

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -

UPDATE: After more than 14 hours, the commission decided to deny the appeals against the data center to move forward. The appeals were denied with promises of modifications to the draft plan, including reviewing sound ordinances and stipulations on energy uses.

The decision was made after hours of comments and questions for the creators of the center, experts and those who filed the appeals. Now, those who filed the appeals can decide whether or not to appeal this decision.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Four appeals filed against ‘Project Taurus’ data center in Colorado Springs

The hearing drew around 300 residents to the Shockley-Zalabak Theater at the Ent Center for the Arts.

More than 100 individuals registered to speak in opposition to the project, citing concerns about environmental impact, while approximately 20 signed up to speak in favor, emphasizing potential economic benefits.

Jason Richards, an intern with the Sierra Club of Colorado, highlighted the strong community engagement regarding the data center. Richards, a Colorado Springs native, said he was hopeful seeing the turnout.

Richards said he and the Sierra Club were not against data centers as a whole, but wanted to see greater transparency.

“We want visibility, and we want guidelines, and that's not what Raeden or the Colorado Springs City Council or the utilities have given us,” stated Richards.

Richards also called for a moratorium on data centers.

“There needs to be more events that facilitate this sort of dialog, because there are more things that Colorado Springs constituents can unite on that they care about. Likewise, there needs to be a moratorium in place on data centers,” said Richards.

Opponents raised concerns regarding water, environmental impacts and energy consumption. Richards pointed out that 200,000 gallons of water would be used for the initial fill of the data center, an amount he believes could be better utilized elsewhere, especially given Colorado's drought conditions and the over-allocated Colorado River.

Attendee Sophie Thunberg criticized the project's presentation, calling it misleading.

“The way it's been painted, this project has a benefit for our community is completely erroneous. It's not based on fact or science,” said Thunberg.

She also expressed disappointment with the Planning Commission.

"We saw commissioners walk away before the end of the closing. And that just shows where they're standing with us, which is not with us,” said Thunberg.

In contrast, Tim Leigh, a data center project supporter, argued for the economic benefits.

“We would get $115 million of newfound money. My advocacy is to turn that into an endowment and live off the interest and provide that money into the general fund for specific purposes forever,” said Leigh.

He proposed using this money for "Cops, Tops and Pots" – referring to police, trails, open space and parks, and road paving.

Leigh also highlighted the potential for Colorado Springs School District 11 to receive an additional $750,000 annually if the building were fully utilized, emphasizing, “this isn't just about data centers. This is about the kids. This is about cops. This is about trails, open space and parks. And this is about roads.”

KRDO13 asked the city about these numbers, and they say they are not from the city; instead, those numbers were supplied by Raeden. Raeden tells KRDO13 the data center would bring in $115 million in sales tax revenue the first year.

The Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC shared this economic impact report.

Project developers have detailed mitigation efforts, including the installation of a 30-foot wall to reduce noise and the strategic placement of chillers below the wall's height.

Now that the planning commission has denied the appeal, residents can appeal the denial, which would send the decision to city council.

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