Aurora mayor flips stance on data centers
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Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman wants his city to reconsider its failed data center moratorium. Photo: Robert Sanchez/Axios
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman helped kill a moratorium on new data centers this past summer.
- Now he wants it back.
Why it matters: He says a pause is needed to prevent the massive facilities from encroaching on neighborhoods, threatening property values and overwhelming the city.
Driving the news: Coffman wants the City Council to reconsider the failed moratorium Monday.
- The proposal would pause new applications until Aurora adopts tougher data centers rules.
Flashback: Council deadlocked 5–5 on Councilmember Amy Wiles' proposed six-month moratorium in August, with Coffman casting the deciding vote against it.
- A month later, hundreds of residents protested the proposed 860,000-square-foot Trident data center adjacent to homes near East 48th Avenue and E-470.
Now there's a procedural quagmire.
- Coffman needs seven votes to reopen debate — but has only six. One former opponent must agree to reconsider the measure.
- The moratorium then could pass 6-5.
Axios contacted all five council members who opposed the moratorium on Friday. None responded.
- An earlier attempt to reopen debate failed.
The intrigue: Coffman changed his tune after touring existing data centers and visiting Trident's proposed site this fall.
- He favors tighter regulations, but not an outright ban.
What they're saying: Trident "demonstrates how inadequate our procedures and regulations are because you have this hyperscale data center coming in next to a residential area," Coffman says.
- He described some existing facilities as resembling a "weird fortress."
The big picture: Aurora has 65 square miles of undeveloped land, and Coffman worries developers could rush to submit applications before the city tightens its rules.
- "I don't want to be the data center capital of the United States,'" the mayor says.
Zoom out: Voters nationwide favored data center restrictions in last week's elections.
- Wiles she sees potential state intervention next year under Colorado's expanded Democratic majorities and Gov.-elect Phil Weiser.
- Coffman favors local control and says Aurora's debate offers a road map for other cities.
Caveat: A moratorium wouldn't stop Trident. Aurora already OK'd its application.
- Developer Vantage Data Centers is exploring other sites but hasn't decided to move.
Follow the money: Council members will also examine a proposal Monday to end future tax incentives for the centers.
- Aurora previously authorized up to $83 million in potential rebates, including up to $39 million for Trident.
What's next: If the moratorium fails, Coffman plans to introduce a "less elegant" alternative Nov. 23 that would make developers prove a utility can supply power.