Denver Announces Working Group on Data Centers

Denver Announces Working Group on Data Centers

Published on October 07, 2026

Mayor Mike Johnston and Denver City Council Members Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez (At-Large), Paul Kashmann (D6), and Darrell Watson (D9) today announced the selection of 26 individuals to Denver's Data Center Working Group.

"It will be Denver not corporations -- that decide if and how data centers may operate in our city," said Mayor Mike Johnston. "This group brings together people with different perspectives to help us get this right: setting clear rules, protecting Denver's resources, and putting the interests of Denverites first. Let's get to work."

The working group is comprised of union, utility, and industry representatives as well as those from academia, nonprofits, non-governmental organizations, community members, and experts in healthcare and air quality. It will meet over a period of several months to create policy suggestions to be considered by city leaders.

This working group, with strong representation from Globeville, Elyria, and Swansea, will put community voices and community solutions at the center of Denver's data center debate because the people who live closest to these projects should shape the rules that govern them," said Denver City Council Member Darrell Watson (District 9) who represents these neighborhoods.

The working group will include the following individuals, by category:

Community

• Solicia E. Lopez
• Erin Overturf
• Andrea Nemer
• Precious Lawrence
• V. Quintana
• Dr. Brandon Scott
• Alfonso Espino
• Rebecca Trujillo
• Jessica N.
• Gilbert Herrera
• Rev. Terrance D. Carroll, former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives
• Marcus Weaver

Union

• Julian Aguilar, IBEW 68
• Cecil Courtney, Pipefitters Local Union 208

Utilities

• Melissa Almond, Corporate Economic Development Manager, Xcel Energy
• Andrew Hill, Government Affairs Manager, Denver Water

Industry

• Steve Jackson, CEO, Empowercom; Chair, African American Trade Association
• Matt Gallagher, Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships, Satoshi Energy

Non-governmental organizations

• Courtney Fieldman, Director of Utility Programs, Southwest Energy Efficient Project
• Ean Thomas Tafoya, VP of State Programs, GreenLatinos
• Jim Garcia, CEO and Founder of Tepeyac Community Health Center

Air Quality

• Priyanka deSouza, Assistant Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Colorado Denver

Healthcare

• Kate Jennings, MD
• Abi Balajee

Academia

• Dr. Mark Orrs, Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering, Design, & Society, Colorado School of Mines
• Dr. Benjamin Xie, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, University of Denver

Working group members were selected on several factors, including professional and personal experience, diversity of perspective, and ability to work collaboratively, as well as to ensure representation of neighborhoods and communities across Denver, especially those most impacted by data center development.

"I couldn't be more encouraged about the group we've assembled to assess the challenges that come with bringing new data centers to Denver," said Council Member Paul Kashmann, District 6. "We're part of a critical nationwide discussion recognizing the threats data centers of all sizes present to community wellbeing when not properly regulated."

"We will take our time and use this opportunity to ensure we are establishing protections for our communities and resources today and in the future," said Councilwoman At-large Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez. "I am grateful to the people that took the time to apply and are going to devote additional time and expertise to this process".

More than 250 people applied as part of the selection process. The group will hold its first meeting on Oct. 9. Working group sessions are task focused and follow a set agenda, so participation is limited to working group members. All sessions will be streamed live online in English and Spanish at www.denvergov.org/DataCenters, where community members can also submit questions or comments about data centers. Denverites can also expect community wide meetings and other engagement opportunities throughout the Data Center Working Group process.

A moratorium on data centers was led by City Council Members Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, Paul Kashmann and Darrell Watson with support from Mayor Johnston. It halts construction until May 2027, though the Mayor's Office and City Council sponsors agree the deadline should be extended if necessary. Data centers permitted prior to May 2026 are not impacted by this action.

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