The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Denver County
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Pro-Data Center Policies
Denver has enacted a one-year pause on accepting or processing applications for new data centers and expansions; existing facilities and already permitted or under-construction projects may continue.
Rating from Colorado statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Denver County.
Specific to Denver County only.
current law · County measureTemporarily prohibits Denver from accepting or processing applications for new data centers as a primary use, and for expansions of existing data centers, from May 21, 2026, to May 21, 2027.Denver Council Bill 26-0431 (2026)
What this means
The one-year moratorium would stop Denver from accepting or processing applications for new data centers and expansions, making development substantially harder during that period. Existing facilities could keep operating, and already permitted or construction projects could continue.
Timing
- Ends
- May 21, 2027
The moratorium is scheduled to run from 2026-05-21 through 2027-05-21. Denver City Council may extend it if additional time is needed, subject to Council approval.
People behind it
- Paul Kashmann
Bill sponsor; sponsored and led the ordinance authorizing the data-center moratorium.
- Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez
Bill sponsor; sponsored and led the ordinance authorizing the data-center moratorium.
- Darrell Watson
Bill sponsor; sponsored and led the ordinance authorizing the data-center moratorium.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
A one-year moratorium, effective May 21, 2026 through May 21, 2027, prohibits Denver from accepting, processing, or approving applications for new data centers where a data center is the proposed primary use.
The moratorium also prohibits applications for expansions of existing data centers when the data center is the proposed primary use.
Data centers and projects that were already permitted or under construction before the moratorium may continue operating or proceeding, although future phases may be subject to rules adopted after the review.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2
The moratorium does not stop existing data centers from operating, and projects already permitted or under construction may continue operating. This protection does not necessarily cover future phases, which may be subject to new rules. Existing facilities and projects already permitted or under construction may continue operating
The moratorium is limited to applications in which a data center is proposed as the primary use. Applications involving data centers that are not the proposed primary use are outside the stated moratorium scope. where a data center is the proposed primary use
Sources
Data provided by Regbase · Cookie preferences · Report missing data