Aurora residents mobilize over massive data center
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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.
