New CoreSite data center in north Denver prompts neighbors’ concerns

Residents in north Denver neighborhoods came together in prayer on a recent Friday, while construction workers continued building a new multistory data center behind them. Concerns have been raised about the potential impact on electricity bills, blackouts, emissions from emergency generators, and water usage. Neighborhood groups are demanding that CoreSite, the company constructing the data center, address these concerns and abide by a set of terms to protect residents.

The data center, located at East 49th Avenue and Race Street, will offer over 590,000 square feet of space for computer servers. This will be CoreSite’s largest data center in Denver, where the company is based. The facility is expected to use up to 75 megawatts of power and 805,000 gallons of water a day. While company officials claim they typically use less than 50% of their capacity, concerns remain about the potential environmental impact.

Residents are worried about the proximity of the data center to their homes, especially since the neighborhoods are already dealing with pollution from various sources. The community organizations are demanding transparency on power and water usage, impact studies, disclosure of generator use, and commitments to limit emissions. They also want assurances that CoreSite will not collaborate with entities involved in mass surveillance or deportations.

To address these concerns, CoreSite has requested mediation services from the city to create a “good neighbor” agreement with the community groups. The company has also made donations to local organizations and plans to create green spaces on the campus. A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday where officials from CoreSite, Denver Water, Xcel Energy, and the city of Denver will address questions from residents.

The residents are pushing for enforceable commitments, transparency, and accountability from CoreSite to ensure the well-being of the community. With the proposed terms in place, the neighborhood groups are striving to hold the company accountable for its promises and prioritize the residents’ concerns.