Weld County commissioners voted to extend the timeline for a proposed data center zoning ordinance, pushing a final decision to April 6, 2026.
The ordinance, Code 2026 01, would formally define data centers within Chapter 23 of the county code and establish where they can operate in unincorporated Weld County. Under the proposal, data centers would be permitted through administrative site plan review in industrial zones and would require Use by Special Review approval in agricultural areas outside subdivisions or historic townsites.
Commissioners said the extension allows for additional public input and review as interest in AI infrastructure grows across the region. Residents have raised concerns about water use, noise, infrastructure capacity and long term land use compatibility.
The timing is significant.
Global AI recently acquired 438 acres near Windsor at the former Kodak and Carestream campus at 2000 Howard Smith Ave. West. The company plans to redevelop existing industrial buildings into an initial 18 to 24 MW data center, with expansion potential to 50 to 60 MW and long term plans that could reach 1 GW.
While the ordinance does not reference a specific project, the proposed rules would directly shape how facilities like the Windsor site move through review if located in unincorporated areas.
As Colorado positions itself for AI growth, Weld County appears focused on establishing clear regulatory guardrails before fully opening the door to major data center development.