Denver Residents Raise Concerns Over Data Center Expansion

Community organizers push for transparency and health safeguards as city considers data center moratorium.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:00pm

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of a data center facility with rows of illuminated server racks and backup generators emitting neon cyan and magenta lights, conceptually representing the physical infrastructure powering the digital economy.Tensions rise as data center expansion encroaches on vulnerable Denver neighborhoods, sparking calls for greater transparency and environmental safeguards.Denver Today

A new data center development in Denver's Globeville and Elyria-Swansea neighborhoods has sparked concerns from local residents about air pollution, water usage, and lack of community input. The city is now considering a moratorium on data center construction as state legislators debate bills to either attract or regulate the industry.

Why it matters

The controversy highlights the tensions emerging across the U.S. as states and cities grapple with the rapid growth of data centers, which are straining local resources and raising environmental justice issues in underserved communities.

The details

The new CoreSite data center facility in north Denver was approved administratively by the city, bypassing public hearings. Residents are concerned about the 14 diesel generators on site, which could increase air pollution in a neighborhood already burdened by high rates of respiratory illness. Community organizers have presented CoreSite with a "Good Neighbor Proposal" asking for more transparency, pollution monitoring, and use of cleaner generator technology.

  • In June 2024, CoreSite began engaging with the local community.
  • In February 2026, CoreSite representatives failed to show up for a community meeting.
  • On February 23, 2026, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston called for a citywide moratorium on data center construction.
  • On March 31, 2026, the Denver City Council's Community Planning and Housing Committee approved a measure to seat a working group to define new rules for data centers.

The players

Alfonso Espino

A community organizer who is concerned about the health impacts of the data center on the Globeville and Elyria-Swansea neighborhoods.

Mike Johnston

The mayor of Denver who called for a citywide moratorium on data center construction.

CoreSite

The company developing the new data center facility in north Denver.

Megan Ruszkowski

The vice president of marketing and sales development at CoreSite.

Tepeyac Community Health Center

A local health clinic where Espino sits on the board.

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What they’re saying

“I have asthma, my little brother has asthma. We want to do everything we can to protect the health of our neighborhood.”

— Alfonso Espino, Community organizer

“We think we need to build more data centers. The key is we need a framework to figure out how and when and where to build them.”

— Mike Johnston, Mayor of Denver

“While you can point fingers at data centers, you can also point fingers at Denver city government. We did not do enough advance regulation — I think we need to do better in the future.”

— Paul Kashmann, Denver City Council member

What’s next

The Denver City Council is expected to take up the one-year moratorium bill on data center construction later this spring.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tensions between data center expansion and environmental justice concerns in underserved urban communities. As the industry continues to grow rapidly, cities and states will need to develop new frameworks to balance economic development with protecting public health and the environment.