Your Weekly Denver City Council Wrap-Up - May 22nd, 2026

The City and County of Denver City Council held a meeting on May 21, 2026, during which they unanimously voted to impose a one-year moratorium on new data center construction within the city. This pause aims to allow time for the development of regulations addressing neighborhood safety, equity, and the significant water and electricity usage of data centers. A working group comprising industry experts, council members, neighborhood organizations, and union leaders will be formed to guide future policy decisions. Additionally, the council discussed proposed lobbying reforms to increase transparency, including mandatory reporting of payments and contacts by lobbyists, and a cooling-off period for certain officials before they can become lobbyists. The meeting also covered efforts to enshrine the auditor's wage enforcement powers into the city charter, which would require voter approval in November. No specific contract awards or procurement actions were reported during this session.