Moratorium would pause data-center applications

Fort Collins would stop accepting or processing applications for data centers as a principal use and accessory-use data centers proposing more than 10 MW of peak electrical demand. The moratorium would apply retroactively from October 6, 2026, through the end of the day April 6, 2027; accessory-use data centers at or below 10 MW would be exempt. Staff had initially proposed covering new data centers above 25 MW. The ordinance defines a data center as a building, part of a building or site primarily housing computing, storage or network equipment that processes or transmits data for third parties or off-site operations. The ordinance says the moratorium would give staff time to draft land-use and other regulatory changes for Council consideration. Staff planned at least one Council work session, possibly two, and aimed for a first reading of data-center regulations on March 2, 2027; the agenda summary projected Council would approve guidelines and regulations by the moratorium’s expiration.