Local
Aurora council votes down proposed pause on new data-center approvals
Aurora City Council rejected a temporary moratorium on data centers in a 6-5 vote after hours of debate and public comment. Mayor Mike Coffman said he plans to bring the measure back at the next regular meeting, but the already-approved Trident project would not be affected.
Aurora City Council voted 6-5 against a proposed moratorium on data centers during a meeting that continued past midnight Tuesday, leaving new applications without the temporary pause supporters sought while the city develops regulations.
Residents spoke for hours in favor of a closer review of data-center development. After the vote, one resident publicly rebuked council members who opposed the measure.
Mayor Mike Coffman said he would bring the same motion and resolution back at the council’s next regular meeting. His position has shifted since August, when he cast the tie-breaking vote against a moratorium. Coffman said a visit to the area where Vantage plans to build the Trident data center changed his view.
The proposed moratorium would have halted approval of data-center applications until Aurora could put new rules in place. It would not stop the Trident project, which has already received approval. The planned site is just east of Green Valley Ranch, across the street from homes.
Coffman has become a vocal critic of data centers in recent weeks, including the Trident development. Whether the council will revisit the proposal—and whether it can secure enough votes—remains unresolved.