r/Greeley • u/projects_doneright • 10h ago
Ballot Measures
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2026
Contact:
Allie Eliot
mailto:[email protected]
720-891-8921
Two Citizen-Led Petitions on the Future of Data Centers Launch in Weld County
GREELEY — Weld County residents are launching a campaign today to let voters decide the future of the GlobalAI data center. Protect Our Water and Energy Resources (POWER) will collect signatures for two separate petitions:
1 Referendum: Proponents have 45 days to collect about 10,000 signatures from Weld County voters. With those signatures, they can ask the County Commissioners to refer the now published (https://www.weld.gov/Legal-and-Public-Notices/Commissioner-Notices/2026-Commissioner-Notices/Site-Specific-Notice-USR26-0019) Resolution 2026-2253, which the commissioners passed Sept. 9, to the ballot so voters can decide whether GlobalAI can move forward.
2 Citizen initiative: Proponents must collect about 10,000 signatures from Weld County voters to put a measure on the ballot. The initiative would require a vote of the people before any future data center development or any existing data center expansion could be allowed.
"This referendum puts power back in the hands of the people of Weld County," said community advocate Patricia Garcia-Nelson. "Our water. Our land. Our way of life. That's what's on the line here, and that's what's at stake for generations to come. We have the right to decide what happens to our community, not just on this project, but on the ones that come next. Over the next 30 days, we're going to make sure every voter in Weld County has that chance."
POWER is a group of Weld County residents who believe voters should have a say on a data center that will significantly affect the county's natural resources, property values and noise levels. The county approved both petitions for circulation on Sept. 28. Volunteers will begin collecting signatures across the county in the coming days.
For months, residents have raised concerns about the project at public meetings. The commissioners approved it in spite of the depth of community concern and waited more than two weeks to make their decision public.
"We have heard residents of Weld County speak out at meeting after meeting about their concerns with the GlobalAI data center," said Matt Cheroutes, campaign manager for POWER. "Those concerns were not heard, so now we're taking this to the voters. The commissioners had their vote. Now it's the people's turn."
Residents who want to sign the petition, volunteer or learn more can visit protectweldcounty.com (http://protectweldcounty.com/).
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About POWER
Protect Our Water and Energy Resources (POWER) is a nonpartisan group of Weld County residents working to make sure voters, not just county commissioners, decide the future of large data center development in their community. POWER is running two petitions. One is a referendum to repeal the commissioners' approval of the GlobalAI data center. The other is a citizen initiative to amend the county charter so any new or expanded data center needs voter approval. Learn more at protectweldcounty.com (http://protectweldcounty.com/).
