Setting the record straight on Weld County Code Chapter 23
Published on March 26, 2026
What is happening?
The Weld County Commissioners are in the process of considering an update to Weld County Code Chapter 23, which would add data centers to the list of uses in the industrial zone and the agricultural zone in unincorporated Weld County. The proposed update will also require any company wanting to build a data center in unincorporated Weld County to conduct a noise study and abide by noise level limits set in the proposed code changes.
The proposed update to Chapter 23 is not a zoning change and it is not about any specific project.
The proposed update to Chapter 23 is about updating code to reflect permitted land uses and the parameters in which those uses must abide.
Here’s a breakdown of what residents should know:
- Current code doesn’t address data centers specifically. Adding them into Chapter 23 provides a more clearly defined mechanism for enforcement of policy and regulations regarding this use.
- Weld County code only impacts unincorporated Weld County.
- Concerns about water and power use are valid. Weld County Government does not provide water or power. If any business wants to build in unincorporated Weld County, they have to submit documentation proving they have secured appropriate amounts of water and power from those providers.
- This proposed update to Chapter 23 is not a zoning change. It is a change to add language to provide a more clearly defined mechanism for enforcement of policy and regulations regarding this use.
- Commissioners cannot speak to any specific project, because they sit in a quasi-judicial role when it comes to land use.
- The third reading for the proposed update to Chapter 23 is April 6 at 9 a.m. at 1150 O St. in Greeley.
- Weld County Government wants to hear from residents, which is why all code changes go through a public three reading process. Residents can attend board meetings at 9 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and speak during public comment about proposed code changes.
- Residents can watch board of commissioner meetings on-demand by going to the commissioner public meeting page on the county website.
- Residents can email their comments to the board of commissioners at askthecommissioners@weld.gov.
If you are concerned about a specific potential project:
The April 6 meeting is about a code update — think broadly: application, process, and parameters across all of unincorporated Weld County — that is what county code governs. The April 6 meeting is not about any specific project anywhere in unincorporated Weld County.
If you are interested in a specific project, the county encourages you to speak in favor of or in opposition to that project, but we encourage you to do so through the correct process at the correct time so your comments can be properly recorded and considered. Any specific project that has a submitted application into the county, has a specific process and comment period.
The April 6 meeting is not about a specific project.
A Call for Thoughtful Engagement
In an era where misinformation spreads quickly, the responsibility to stay informed matters more than ever. Weld County residents are best served by facts, not by speculation.
Residents have every right to ask questions and voice concerns. In fact, public input is a critical part of the process, but productive conversation depends on accurate information.
Before sharing or reacting to claims online, take the time to:
- Review official county materials
- Attend public meetings or hearings
- Ask questions of county staff or elected officials
Local policy decisions deserve more than quick reactions — they deserve informed discussion. The Chapter 23 update is about clarity, consistency, and keeping Weld County’s code functional in a changing environment
Good governance depends on two things: clear rules and resident involvement.
For a county like Weld — where agriculture, energy, and growth all intersect — clarity isn’t optional. It’s essential. Updating Chapter 23 helps preserve the county’s long-standing priorities: property rights, economic vitality, and responsible growth.
Resident involvement means engaging directly with county government, and it too is essential for Weld County Government. Visit our webpage — our news releases are on the homepage (you can even sign up to get the county’s news releases delivered right to your inbox). Follow the county’s social media channels to stay up to date on county projects and initiatives. Sign up for our e-newsletters.
As with many local policy discussions, the reality is more practical than some online narratives suggest.
This does not mean people shouldn’t be active in their support of or opposition to a specific code change or future land use proposal. The county encourages it. That’s how government works.
Resources from the county regarding this code change: