Proposed Data Center in Colorado Springs Raises Neighborhood Concerns

Residents worry about noise, environmental impact, and utility costs as a new data center plans to move into a former Intel facility.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:07am

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A highly detailed 3D illustration of glowing, illuminated data center hardware and infrastructure components, including server racks, cooling systems, and fiber optic cables, set against a dark, moody background. The neon cyan and magenta lighting creates a sense of high-tech energy and digital power.As data centers continue to expand, concerns over their environmental and community impact are growing, raising questions about how to balance technological progress with responsible development.Colorado Springs Today

A proposed data center project called 'Project Taurus' in northwest Colorado Springs is drawing concerns from residents in the Chelsea Glen neighborhood. The data center, owned by Oakland-based company Raeden, is planning to move into the former Intel chip facility near Garden of the Gods Road. Neighbors are worried about potential noise issues, environmental impacts, and rising utility costs, citing problems with a previous crypto mining business that occupied the site.

Why it matters

Data centers have become a growing industry, but they can also bring challenges for local communities in terms of noise, energy and water usage, and impacts on utility costs. This proposed project is raising concerns about whether the city will hold the company accountable and ensure the data center is a good neighbor to the surrounding residential area.

The details

Raeden is in the process of purchasing the former Intel building from the previous occupant, crypto mining company 3G Venture. Neighbors like Kate Kent and Ron Graham-Becker say 3G Venture's operations brought significant noise problems to the area for years. They are worried the new data center could have similar issues. Raeden COO Jason Green says the company plans to use a 'closed loop cooling system' that will minimize water usage, but he hasn't provided final details on water and energy needs. The city of Denver recently paused new data center approvals, something Kent would like to see Colorado Springs consider as well.

  • In 2018, the crypto mining business 3G Venture moved into the former Intel building.
  • For 4 years, neighbors dealt with 'outrageous' 24/7 noise from 3G Venture's operations.
  • Raeden is currently in the final due diligence phases to purchase the building from 3G Venture.
  • A community meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2026 at 5:30pm for residents to share concerns.

The players

Kate Kent

A resident of the Chelsea Glen neighborhood whose home backs up to the former Intel facility where the data center is proposed.

Ron Graham-Becker

A nearly 30-year resident of the Chelsea Glen neighborhood who experienced noise issues from the previous crypto mining business at the site.

Jason Green

The COO and co-founder of Raeden, the company planning to open the new data center.

Raeden

An Oakland, California-based company that is in the process of purchasing the former Intel facility to open a new data center.

3G Venture

The previous crypto mining business that occupied the former Intel facility and caused noise issues for the neighborhood.

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What they’re saying

“The noise was outrageous, and it was 24 hours a day, seven days a week, no breaks unless something broke down on their side.”

— Ron Graham-Becker, Resident

“I think this time around, the community needs requirements and stipulations in place ahead of time before are allowed to begin because we've been fooled once before, right? And I I really hope that, the city of Colorado Springs won't let us be fooled again.”

— Kate Kent, Resident

“the day one is going to require a certain volume of water to get set up, and that's it. Just as an example, the chip fab requires millions of gallons of water a day. We don't even need a million gallons of water, period, one time.”

— Jason Green, COO and Co-founder, Raeden

What’s next

The city of Colorado Springs will need to carefully review Raeden's plans and hold the company accountable to address the community's concerns about noise, environmental impact, and utility costs before approving the data center project.

The takeaway

This proposed data center project highlights the growing tension between the tech industry's need for infrastructure and the impact it can have on local neighborhoods. The city must balance economic development with protecting the quality of life for residents, ensuring any new data centers are good corporate citizens.