The City and County of Denver on Monday took the first step in its plans to impose a one-year moratorium on data centers.

The council advanced the proposal following its first reading, a move that triggers a public hearing on the matter. That hearing is set for May 18.

Because data centers are not specifically regulated within Denver and have no specific permitting requirements, city officials have said they aim to press the “pause” button, giving them time to develop “thoughtful regulations” that address community safety and equity.

Existing data centers and projects already permitted or under construction would not be affected by the moratorium, city officials said, though they could be expected to follow any new guidelines.

“Data centers power the technology we depend upon and strengthen our economy,” Johnston said in a statement Monday. “But as this industry evolves, so must our policies. This pause allows us to put clear and consistent guardrails in place while protecting our most precious resources and preserving our quality of life.” 

At the state Capitol, legislators have rejected two competing data center proposals this year. One had offered tax breaks to attract large facilities. The other would have require data centers to use electricity from new — not existing — “renewable” sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and limited small hydro.

Supporters of data centers said their development should be encouraged, arguing they provide high-paying and stable jobs in one of the fastest-growing technology centers in the world. Policymakers, they said, should not erect roadblocks to their development in Colorado.

Critics — and some policymakers wary of their advance — countered that data centers should be regulated, given the resources they need to operate, notably power and water.

Denver officials said there is only one data center, the CoreSite DE3 facility, permitted and under construction in Denver.