The Salida City Council is expected to consider a one-year moratorium on new data centers Tuesday as city officials seek time to develop regulations for facilities that can consume large amounts of electricity and water. The proposed Ordinance 2026-19 would temporarily prohibit the submission, review and approval of applications for new data centers within city limits while staff studies how such facilities should be regulated. City staff say the proposal comes as communities across Colorado and the country grapple with the rapid growth of data centers driven by technologies including artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and cloud computing. According to the staff report, these facilities can require electricity and water comparable to small urban centers, raising concerns about energy demand, water resources, and other environmental impacts. The report notes that neighboring Buena Vista has adopted a similar moratorium while it develops regulations for data centers.