Aurora residents mobilize over massive data center
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
One of Colorado's largest data centers could be built on this Aurora property, near E-470. Photo: Robert Sanchez/Axios
Dan Bergander's forever home in northeast Aurora might come with an unexpected — and unwanted — neighbor.
The big picture: Vantage Data Centers wants to build its massive Trident campus near thousands of residents who have little say over what happens next.
Why it matters: Neighbors at The Reserve at Green Valley Ranch, Windler and other developments worry about round-the-clock noise, diesel exhaust, air pollution and industrial lighting.
- They want Aurora to study those potential impacts before approving the project — which is planned at the northwest corner of East 48th Avenue and E-470.
By the numbers: The plan includes a pair of two-story buildings totaling about 860,000 square feet — enough floor space to cover roughly 15 football fields.
- Vantage's design calls for 334 megawatts of IT capacity and roughly 500 megawatts of total electrical demand, plus 28 emergency diesel generators.
- Trident would become one of Colorado's largest data centers.
The proposal caught neighbors off guard.
- Bergander and others only recently grasped the project's scale. They quickly mobilized.
- About 25 attended an Aurora City Council meeting two weeks ago to raise concerns.
- And last week, roughly 150 neighbors packed a neighborhood meeting at The Reserve.
Over the past week, residents sent letters to the city, knocked on doors and backed a Change.org petition that has more than 2,700 signatures.
- "Hopefully, we can influence some change that makes you feel more comfortable," Aurora Councilmember Amy Wiles — who represents the area — told residents at that meeting.
Between the lines: Aurora put the site in its Airport District in 2022, where data centers are allowed.
- That means Trident can get approval with an administrative review rather than a council vote.
- City staff can move the project as long as Vantage doesn't seek major adjustments.
- Still, the proposal needs a state air-quality construction permit.
Vantage applied for the center in August 2025. Two city reviews followed, and a third is underway.
- Yes, but: Bergander and neighbors want council to ask city staff for additional scrutiny before Trident advances.
What we're watching: Organizers expect more than 100 residents at Monday's City Council meeting.
- "Right now the deck is just totally stacked against us," Bergander tells me.