Container Based Data Processing and Storage

On September 9, 2026 the Board of Alamosa County Commissioners approved a special use permit for Strata Inc. to develop a container-based facility for data processing and storage. Following approval, several members of the community, some of whom were present and some of whom were not, expressed their concerns with the decision. Based on these comments it appears that many have been misinformed as to the actual nature and size of this project and the process by which it was approved. In an effort to ensure that the public has accurate information, the Board of County Commissioners provides the following information.

On September 9, 2026 the Board of Alamosa County Commissioners approved a special use permit for Strata Inc. to develop a container-based facility for data processing and storage. Following approval, several members of the community, some of whom were present and some of whom were not, expressed their concerns with the decision. Based on these comments it appears that many have been misinformed as to the actual nature and size of this project and the process by which it was approved. In an effort to ensure that the public has accurate information, the Board of County Commissioners provides the following information. No. 1: The entire project site is on an 80-acre vacant parcel of non-productive land approximately 1.75 miles southeast of the Town of Hooper. The actual development and placement of the containers and supporting infrastructure will be within a fenced 2.3-acre area, less than 3% of the entire property. No. 2: The final build out of this project is limited to 21 containers (only 12 of which are computing containers of roughly 3800 square feet of total floor space), and supporting infrastructure. Each container will be "air cooled" and NO WATER will be utilized to cool the containers. Furthermore, this land has no surface water rights, and there is no existing well on the property, nor the ability to obtain a well permit for any use other than sanitation/bathrooms. No. 3: This application was processed in the same manner as other special use permits, including public notice and public hearings before the Planning Commission and County Commission. Notice of the application and scheduled hearings was provided directly to nearby landowners and was published in the local newspaper on July 8, 2026. The public hearings were held by the Alamosa County Planning Commission on August 12, 2026, as well as the Board of County Commissioners on September 9, 2026. No. 4: This project is intentionally designed to utilize existing electric infrastructure and capacity available through the San Luis Valley Rural Electric Co-op (SLVREC) and will require no new transmission lines or substations. Each container will consume approximately 250 kilowatts (250kW) of power, and at full build out, the maximum amount of power utilized will be approximately 3 megawatts (3MW). SLVREC has stated that "A steady load can create revenue that helps pay for the rural electric system SLVREC already maintains. Added revenue from a properly sized project could help offset costs for existing members." No. 5: This project is limited to the specific project parameters proposed in the application and approved by the County. The complete build out is 21 containers within the 2 acre site. Any changes to the approved plans or any future development that exceeds the permitted number of containers will require additional permitting, which requires additional public notice and hearings before any further approval. No. 6: The storage containers will be air-cooled and as such will generate some noise. In addition to the remote nature of the location which limits off-site noise impacts, the project must not exceed maximums as set forth by state statute or any applicable county ordinance as a condition of the permit. No. 7: Each application submitted to Alamosa County is separate and independent. Approving this application in no way binds Alamosa County to approve future applications even if substantially similar in nature. Each application is considered based on its impact and compliance with county regulations.