Weld County, CO Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Zoning & Siting (2026)

Section 23-1-90 defines a DATA CENTER as a building or buildings that house information technology or telecommunications equipment used to process, transfer or store digital information, with no limit on peak electrical load. Offices, security buildings and cooling water tanks count as ancillary structures, and backup power systems fall within the definition only below a total generation capacity of fifty (50) megawatts.

The use lists decide the process. Section 23-3-310(F)(6) makes DATA CENTERS a Use by Special Review in the I-1 (Light Industrial) district. Section 23-3-320(C)(10) allows them in I-2 (Medium Industrial) after Site Plan Review, and Section 23-3-330(C)(13) does the same in I-3 (Heavy Industrial). No other zone district use list in Chapter 23 names data centers. In I-2 and I-3, any use conducted outside an enclosed building must be screened from adjacent public rights-of-way and adjacent lots in any zone district other than I-3.

In I-1 the Planning Commission reviews the Special Review Permit request and forwards a recommendation, then the Board of County Commissioners holds a public hearing under Section 23-2-230. The applicant carries the burden of proof on seven standards, including consistency with Chapter 22, compatibility with existing and future surrounding land uses, and adequate protection of neighborhood and county health, safety and welfare. The Board can attach conditions and require performance guarantees. The permit map must be recorded within 120 days of the Board resolution, and construction or use must begin within three years of approval unless the Board specified otherwise (Section 23-2-290).

In I-2 and I-3, Section 23-2-150 bars any use or development until the Department of Planning Services approves and records the Site Plan Review map, and no building permit issues before that. Section 23-2-175 states that no public hearings are conducted for a Site Plan Review. Construction must begin within three years of approval, or the approval terminates 30 days after notice (Section 23-2-170).

Sections 23-2-160(U)(1) and 23-2-250(A) add a data-center-only limit on top of the dB(A) limits in Section 14-9-40: no data center can exceed 65 dB(C) at any point on the subject property boundary. The same standards cap heat at a 5 degree Fahrenheit rise in air temperature at the lot line, require shielded lighting, and limit grass and weeds to 12 inches.