For more detailed information, plain language summaries of the main provisions of the draft, frequently asked questions, and a project timeline, visit the Larimer County Engage Portal.
About the Regulations
To prepare regulations for future data center development applications, Larimer County began a Land Use Code amendment process in January 2026.
- Data Center Moratorium
A moratorium on any data center application or development is currently in place until February, 2027.
- Draft regulations were shaped by:
- Public feedback
- Deep research and industry analysis
- Business owner feedback
- Guidance from the Board of County Commissioners and Planning Commission
- Community Focus
The draft regulations aim to uphold and advance the community’s safety, health, and quality of life as related to any data center development.
What the draft regulations do
The proposed regulations set clear, enforceable boundaries on data centers.
- Ban hyperscale data centers
Large-scale, high-impact facilities will not be allowed in unincorporated Larimer County.
- Strictly regulate small-scale data centers
Any smaller-scale data centers would need to comply with stringent requirements and regulations outlined in the Land Use Code.
- Centers community priorities including:
- Power demand
- Water use
- Air quality
- Noise
- Environmental impact
Why allow small-scale data centers?
Developing data center regulations instead of outright prohibiting them allows Larimer County to ban hyperscale data centers and still allow for, but strictly regulate, smaller-scale data centers that may provide critical services including:
- Supporting emergency dispatch services
- Operating electrical grids
- Hosting cellular networks
- Providing internet infrastructure
- Housing law enforcement networks
- Powering telehealth platforms
What community concerns exist & what the draft regulations address
- Power demand
- Water use
- Data center locations
- Air quality
- Noise
- Environmental impact
- Thermal/Heat Impacts
What you need to know
- Where the regulations will be enforced
The proposed land use code only applies to areas in unincorporated Larimer County. - No active applications
Larimer County has not received any data center development applications at this time. - County Land Use Code vs municipal Land Use Code
Municipalities and other jurisdictions within Larimer County (like the City of Fort Collins, the City of Loveland, the Town of Wellington, the Town of Estes Park, and more) develop and enforce their own Land Use Code. - County Authority
Larimer County does not own any power or water utilities and does not set utility rates. The proposed Land Use Code amendments have creative requirements to regulate power and water use by a potential data center. - Public feedback period (October 26 - November 24)
Larimer County is asking for specific and constructive feedback on key issues and definitions in the draft regulations to further refine the Land Use Code amendments. Give feedback via Larimer County's Engage Portal. - Future opportunities to engage
Future dates are subject to change.
December 16, 2026: Planning Commission Hearing, Public Comment
January 11, 2027: Board of County Commissioners Land Use Hearing, Public Comment
For more information on the project's background, plain language summaries of the main provisions of the draft, frequently asked questions, and timeline, visit the Larimer County Engage Portal. The draft data center Land Use Code language is also available.
