Weld County Commissioners approve Global AI data center permit
Published on September 10, 2026
At its September 9 meeting, the Weld County Board of County Commissioners approved a Use by Special Review permit (USR26-0019) for Global AI (Colorado), LLC, to operate a data center in an existing industrial facility near Windsor. The site is in the county’s light industrial zone district.
The Board voted 5-0 to approve the permit.
The project is proposed within an existing industrial area. The area has included manufacturing and other industrial uses since the 1960s. The data center would reuse an existing vacant industrial manufacturing facility.
Global AI’s application is the first data center to go through the county’s Use by Special Review process established for data centers. The process allows the county to review a proposed data center against specific land-use standards and criteria.
The Weld County Planning Commission reviewed the application Sept. 1. They voted 7-0 to recommend approval to the Board of County Commissioners.
During both meetings, attendees raised several concerns. Issues included water use, noise, electricity, and infrastructure. They also discussed the project’s potential impact on the surrounding community.
The first phase of the project is expected to employ approximately 20 people. It includes a closed-loop, air-cooled cooling system. Any future expansion beyond the current proposal will require additional review.
Commissioner Coordinator Lynette Peppler expressed thanks and appreciation at the meeting. “I want to thank everyone for spending your day with us,” said Peppler. “The community concerns have caused us to take the time to dig really deep into this topic. One of my main concerns is whether we’re taking agricultural land out of production, and that is not the case. This facility is utilizing an existing industrial facility. How often do we see that happening? This is a really good reuse of resources.”
Commissioner Chair Scott James noted “It will spur economic activity, and granted, not the job level that Kodak once held…and it will provide, by extension, additional economic opportunity.” James added, “We have to grow to trust one another, and it comes through public processes like this.”
What approval means
The USR answers the land-use question: May a data center operate on this property under the approved plans and conditions?
Approval of the USR grants the required land-use approval needed for the data center use covered by the application. It does not give Global AI blanket authorization to develop the entire former Kodak/Carestream property or build any future phase or infrastructure it may propose.
The applicant must still get all required permits and approvals before construction associated with the approved data center use can proceed. These may include building, electrical, mechanical, fire and life-safety, utility, environmental and other permits.
Future phases or changes to the data center would require additional review and approval.
Requirements for the data center
Approval of the USR does not eliminate the county's development or operational requirements.
County regulations for data centers include noise limits, such as a 65 dB(C) limit at the property line. Applicants must show that water use meets state requirements. They must also provide a “will serve” letter from the electricity provider. A noise mitigation plan may also be required to demonstrate compliance.
These requirements continue to apply as the facility is developed and operates.
A final decision
The Board's decision is the county's final land-use decision on USR26-0019 following the Planning Commission process.
The approval applies specifically to the USR application considered by the Board on September 9. It does not approve every potential future expansion, infrastructure project or permit that may be proposed by Global AI.
A recording of the September 9 meeting is available at https://www.weld.gov/Government/Departments/Commissioners/Commissioner-Public-Meetings.
Learn about the county's land-use process at www.weld.gov. Search for "Current Planning."