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Aurora Council Passes Data Center Ordinance This Week
New rules on sound studies and generator setbacks advance while a referendum drive and ethics deadlock remain active.
How we reported this
The Aurora City Council approved a first-of-its-kind ordinance that sets the strictest rules on new data centers in the state. The measure requires sound, noise and water studies for any proposed facilities and mandates that generators sit at least 1,500 feet from homes.
The rules took shape after council review of multiple proposals. They address resident concerns about noise and water use near residential areas. The ordinance passed in the most recent session and marks the first time Aurora has imposed this level of review on the sector.
Rules spare existing sites
The new restrictions will not apply to the four data centers already operating in Aurora or the five projects now in development. Operators of those sites must still report on energy, water and noise usage. City documents list the existing facilities and the five underway as exempt from the fresh requirements.
The non-retroactive clause keeps current projects on their original timelines. Transparency rules remain in place for all centers regardless of approval date.
Separate governance and ethics moves
Alderman Carl Franco is collecting signatures for a referendum on the April 2027 municipal ballot. The measure would replace the current mayor-led structure with a city manager model and needs roughly 4,000 valid voter signatures to qualify.
On March 10, 2026, the council deadlocked 6-6 on an amendment that would have locked in a $1,500 limit on political contributions inside a larger ethics reform package. The tie vote left that cap unprotected in the final ordinance.
The non-profit OnLight Aurora, which leases the city fiber network to residents and businesses, posted a 2023 loss of about $270,000. The organization has recorded losses every year since 2013 even after receiving millions in city support.
City staff will now begin drafting implementation guidelines for the data center studies and distance rules. Petition organizers for the governance change will continue signature gathering ahead of the 2027 filing deadline. Council members have not announced a date for revisiting the stalled contribution cap.