QTS Aurora-Denver data center campus
Also called: QTS Denver DC1-DC3, QTS DEN1
QTS is building a three-building data center campus on about 65 acres on the east side of Aurora. It will need at least 160 megawatts, making it the biggest data center in Colorado today. QTS wants to have 138 diesel backup generators there, and the state is reviewing that air permit.
Where things stand: One building done, a second nearly done and a third site being prepared (CPR, July 2026). A state air permit for more generators is under review.
🕒 Latest update (July 8, 2026): CPR reported one building done, a second nearly done and work starting on a third; state regulators said they would look into air-rule compliance.
What we know
- 📍 Where1160 N Gun Club Rd, Aurora, south of Denver International Airport, Aurora, Arapahoe County
- 🏢 CompanyQTS Data Centers
- 🌳 Size65 acres
- ⚡ Power it needs160 megawatts (about as much as 128,000 homes)
- 💧 WaterAurora Water · 2,400 gallons a day
- ❄️ Coolingclosed-loop (not evaporative) cooling
- 🛢️ Diesel generators138
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- When will the state hold the public comment period on QTS's air permit for 98 more generators? 🙋 I'll find out
- Which utility supplies the power, and is a new power line or substation being built for it? 🙋 I'll find out
- Did QTS get any tax breaks from Aurora or Arapahoe County? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- Feb 2025QTS got local construction permits from Aurora.
- July 2025QTS asked state air regulators to change its permit to add 98 diesel generators to the 40 already there.
- July 8, 2026CPR reported one building done, a second nearly done and work starting on a third; state regulators said they would look into air-rule compliance.
Local votes and rules
📜 Data center rules
Aurora City Council banned water-heavy evaporative cooling in new commercial, apartment and industrial buildings, including data centers. It does not apply to the city's existing data centers. Rules on setbacks, noise and screening are still being written.
📌 Other
Aurora City Council rejected a pause on new data centers; the mayor broke a tie. Instead it voted 7-4 to write data center rules, starting with a ban on water-heavy evaporative cooling and setbacks and buffers near some mixed-use areas.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- QTS Aurora data center plans 98 more diesel generators · Colorado Public Radio · July 8, 2026
- Local governments in Colorado enact moratoriums on data center development · KUNC / Colorado Newsline · Aug 10, 2026
- QTS Aurora-Denver Campus listing (1160 N Gun Club Rd) · ocolo.io · 2026
See something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.