Colorado Springs has long been a city defined by service, innovation, and a deep commitment to community. From supporting our nation’s military missions to building a strong, growing local economy, the city has consistently stepped forward at critical moments. Today, we have another such opportunity—to lead in the next era of technology that will shape both our local future and our national security. 

At the recent Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, which hosted 11,000 top military and defense industry professionals, experts underscored what many here already know: Colorado Springs holds a preeminent position in the emerging military space and technology ecosystem. Decades of thoughtful investment have built the infrastructure that supports data, defense, and innovation. But they also delivered a clear message – maintaining that leadership will depend on whether we are willing to support the next generation of critical infrastructure. 

That infrastructure includes advanced data centers. These facilities power artificial intelligence, defense systems, and the secure computing capabilities required by the U.S. government and military. Without sufficient capacity, missions currently based in Colorado Springs could be forced to relocate. As retired four-star Air Force General John Hyten noted, the reality is straightforward: without expansion, key Space Force operations at Peterson and Schriever may no longer be able to operate here. 

Project Taurus represents an opportunity to meet that need and strengthen our community. The project would repurpose the former Intel facility on Garden of the Gods Road, an underutilized site, into a modern, AI-focused data center, supporting government and defense operations. Rather than new sprawl, this is a smart rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, offering a practical and efficient path forward. 

Importantly, the project has been designed with the community in mind. It will operate as a light-industrial use, wholly consistent with existing zoning. It has already secured its power through Colorado Springs Utilities,  meaning no additional strain on the system or increased cost for residents. The facility will use a closed-loop cooling system requiring only a one-time water fill, equivalent to a municipal swimming pool, with no ongoing consumption, alongside advanced leak detection to protect the local environment. 

Noise, a concern with prior uses of the site, has been directly addressed. Independent acoustic analysis shows sound levels at the property line below 50 dBA, a level appropriate for residential comfort. All systems will be fully enclosed indoors, with monitoring and transparency commitments in place. 

The economic benefits are also meaningful. Project Taurus is expected to create approximately 100 high-quality local jobs, including opportunities for veterans, and to significantly contribute to the local tax base. In other regions, data centers have become a major source of public revenue, helping fund essential services like public safety, infrastructure, and community amenities. 

Beyond economics, the project reinforces Colorado Springs’ long-standing role in national defense. The data center would benefit all five military installations in the Pikes Peak region. Artificial intelligence and the infrastructure that powers it are now central to maintaining US leadership globally. Communities that support this infrastructure will remain at the forefront of innovation; those that do not risk being left behind. 

Raeden, the company behind the project, has made clear its commitment to being a responsible and engaged community partner. The company is funding the infrastructure privately, receiving no public incentives, and aligning its operations with local standards and expectations. This is not a speculative development. It is a targeted investment designed to meet real and immediate needs. 

As with any project, community questions are valid and important. But decisions should be grounded in facts. When viewed clearly and factually, Project Taurus offers a low-impact, high-value opportunity to strengthen Colorado Springs economic base, support national security, and put an underused site back into productive use. 

Colorado Springs has never been a city that steps back from the future. By embracing thoughtful, well-designed innovation, we can continue to lead, and to ensure our community remains a place where people want to live, work, and serve for generations to come. 

Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer is President and CEO of Colorado Chamber and EDC . Art Loureiro is Chairman of Colorado Aerospace & Defense Economic Council .