ADAMS COUNTY, Colorado - On Saturday, roughly 100 Adams County residents spent their morning at Anythink Wright Farms Library sharing their concerns over data centers and the possibility of these facilities coming to their part of Colorado.The event was put on by the Adams County chapter of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).DSA reps put together a presentation going over information regarding data centers in other parts of the country, covering topics such as water usage, power usage, noise and other topics.Residents Denver7's Tyler Melito spoke with say there were several pieces of information that caught their attention. You can watch his video report below. Residents pack Thornton library to voice concerns about data centers"There's many alarming facts I heard today, but the one that was primarily stuck in my mind was the even in the data centers where they reclaim the water, they still lose a good like 60 to 80 percent of that water," Thornton resident Chris Cook told Melito."The biggest thing that stood out today was the water usage," shared Brighton resident Same Barnes. "The fact that 5 million gallons of water per day are used for data centers."Others like Oliver Stanton of Thornton were shocked by how much of an impact data centers have on wildlife."I didn't even know about the extent of like the infrasound, and the impact on like the full extent of the impact on agriculture, and the potential impact impact on wildlife and pets," Stanton detailed.Everyone had a different reason for why they took time of their Saturday to hear from their neighbors.Cook expressing worry over what data centers in Adams County could mean for his daughter."I primarily care the most about my daughter and pretty much everybody else within Colorado," Cook said. "These data centers have a bad track record of wrecking pretty much every community that they're in, and we're not talking about the normal small data centers here. We're talking about huge megaplexes that drain resources."Kai Pegg of Brighton shared her immense pride for her home."I love my city, I love everything about it," Pegg said. "I love that I can drive 20 minutes away and be in a beautiful state park with beautiful and important animals, and I will do everything I can to protect my city and the animals and the people that live in my city."Attendees didn't just talk with Melito though, some also took the opportunity speak in front of the group and share their concerns.Some taking the opportunity to call out elected officials at both the city and county level, some of whom were in attendance."So I'm asking you, and I'm not in your city, for you to stand up and say no," one resident said to the officials in the room."What are we doing about conflict of interest between data centers and elected officials? Mayor Jan Kulmann of Thornton is also the COO of United Power, so that is like. how how how is that being navigated?" another resident asked.Kulmann was not in attendance Saturday. Melito reached out to her for comment to address that resident's concern. She sent the following statement. I think its important to note that there are nine members of City Council for a reason. We each bring different professional experiences and perspectives from across our community. My background in the electric utility industry is one perspective at the table, and I believe that experience can help inform thoughtful decisions about the impacts of data centers. Ultimately, my responsibility as Mayor is to evaluate these issues based on the facts and what is in the best interest of Thornton residents. Im also subject to the same ethics and conflict-of-interest requirements as other elected officials, and I will recuse myself if a situation requires it.One official who was in attendance was Commerce City Mayor Steve Douglas. On Monday, the Commerce City Council will hear the first reading of an ordinance that would put a 6-month moratorium on data center site development.Melito intended to ask Douglas about this possible ordinance and if anything he had heard from community members Saturday changed his thinking on data centers.Douglas declined an interview citing his position as a board member of United Power and wanting to see what happens on Monday. ...read more read less