Weld County commissioners approved a construction permit Wednesday for Global AI to build Colorado's largest data center on the former Carestream Health site between Windsor and Greeley. The decision came one day after the Greeley City Council advanced a pre-annexation agreement for the property, setting a March 2028 deadline for the site to join city limits.
The New York-based artificial intelligence firm plans to operate the facility alongside Nvidia and Humain, an Arabic-language AI model backed by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund. The county updated its municipal code earlier this year to establish data center regulations, and commissioners said the application met those standards despite vocal public opposition.
"You have to respect our code. You have to respect the legal process," Commissioner Scott James said. "Once an application has been filed, we must sit in a quasi-judicial manner and hear any comments outside of this particular setting."
Construction violations raise trust questions
County inspectors recently cited Global AI for three construction code violations, finding four actions that exceeded previously permitted work limited to building repairs. The company did not challenge the violations and agreed to stop work and remedy the construction.
Commissioners James and Jason Maxey questioned whether they could trust the developer. David Foster, a lawyer representing Global AI, placed responsibility on the county's code change. "You changed the rules after building permits had not only been submitted, but many of them had already been issued," Foster said. He argued the company's decision to amend its application rather than challenge the violations demonstrated good faith.
Noise and water concerns dominate public comment
Residents raised concerns about noise pollution and water usage during the meeting. County staff presented ambient noise readings showing levels already reaching 100 decibels in parts of the proposed development area, though the data center will face a 65-decibel limit. Planning manager Angela Snyder said the county would use source-identifying technology to verify any noise complaints.
Foster said Global AI would only exceed the limit during emergencies. "As it sits on a day-to-day basis, our use meets the noise standards that you have imposed on us," he said. "When emergencies happen, sometimes noise is emitted at a higher level, but that's an emergency situation."
The commissioners required the data center to use a closed-loop water cooling system after public discussion. The system needs a first-time fill of 65,000 gallons and an annual top-off of 6,500 gallons. All water will be treated at an on-site wastewater facility. Foster assured Commissioner Maxey that water cannot enter the nearby river.
Power supply and neighbor disputes
Both Greeley and Windsor provided letters confirming water service, contingent on annexation. However, Windsor filed a letter of reconsideration that could block Greeley's annexation of the Great Western Industrial Park - and by extension, Global AI's property.
Mark Savala from BROE Real Estate Group, a neighboring property owner, questioned whether Global AI could secure adequate electricity. "The code requires the county to determine that the applicant can demonstrate adequate water and electrical supply and delivery," Savala said. "The physical reality of these properties is such that water and power delivery depends on Global AI cooperating with its neighbors. So far, they have refused to do so."
When given the chance to respond, Foster told residents and officials the private agreements were not their concern. "They're private agreements. Is there a dispute? You bet. Are we surprised that they showed up today to talk about our dispute publicly? Not at all. But that's not for you to resolve." Foster said Global AI had received a will-serve letter from Poudre Valley REA, satisfying the county's electricity requirement.
The permit includes a requirement for Global AI to secure a bond within six months to cover decommissioning costs. Those funds would return the building to its current state, excluding improvements usable by a future tenant.
Why this matters for real estate and construction professionals
The approval signals growing demand for AI-driven data center projects in previously industrial corridors, creating new pressure on local infrastructure and zoning codes. Developers and brokers should watch how annexation disputes and utility access negotiations unfold - Greeley's pre-annexation agreement ties the project's viability to a separate industrial park decision, while Windsor's reconsideration filing introduces a timeline risk. The county's updated data center regulations, including mandatory closed-loop cooling and noise limits, set a precedent that other Colorado municipalities may follow as AI infrastructure expands into rural and semi-rural markets.
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