The town of Hayden is seeking citizen volunteers to join a Data Center Advisory Committee to participate in the process of evaluating regulations around data center developments, states a Monday news release from Town Manager Mathew Mendisco. 

In early August, the Hayden Town Council voted 4-1 to amend the town’s municipal code to include language around data centers, making it the first Routt County municipality to add language directly addressing data centers into its development code. 

The vote meant data centers would be explicitly listed as an allowed use within the heavy industrial category, paired with limitations on size and power demands, along with other requirements for potential developers. 

Over a dozen residents then spoke out in opposition to the addition of data center language at the Town Council’s Sept. 3 meeting, raising concerns about water use, public-health and environmental impacts, and the transparency of the town’s process.

The council then agreed to implement a six-month moratorium on all data center applications pending a review of current zoning ordinances. The advisory committee is meant to include local residents in the process of navigating the best course of action moving forward. 

Mendisco said the town aims to gather individuals representing a range of interests, “those for and against the issue, and generally, folks from all walks of life.” 

Interested participants should submit a letter of interest to Mendisco via email at Mathew.Mendisco@haydencolorado.org or in person at the Hayden Town Hall, 178 W. Jefferson Ave.