Boulder City Challenges Federal Data Center Approval

The story now adds a broader regulatory and policy dimension: Boulder City’s appeal is paired with scrutiny from the Interior Board of Land Appeals, and the issue is increasingly framed as a test case for federal data center approvals on public land. It also tightens the factual dispute around the project’s water and local-control implications, including closed-loop cooling and reduced routine water use.

The story has shifted from a local Colorado Springs zoning dispute to a federal land-use fight over a much larger Nevada data center. Boulder City is now challenging BLM’s approval process, arguing the amended project bypassed renewed review and local input.

• Boulder City voted unanimously to appeal BLM’s June 26 approval.
• The proposed project now targets 81 acres in Nevada’s Eldorado Valley.
• Townsite Solar 2 LLC amended a solar-and-battery proposal into a data center project.
• BLM relied on earlier environmental review for the amended proposal.
• The appeal may affect federal data center approvals on public land.

The main update is that the project is now more specifically framed as a 50MW data center conversion at a former Intel site, with a large-load power contract explicitly tying Colorado Springs Utilities into the dispute. The appeals also appear more immediate, with the approval effectively on hold while standing is checked.

Project Taurus, a proposed data center in Colorado Springs, is facing multiple appeals after receiving administrative approval from city planning staff. The appeals challenge whether the project was approved under the correct zoning process and raise concerns about noise, electricity demand, and water and power impacts. The case now moves into a formal review path that could send it to the planning commission and, potentially, the City Council.