Woodland Park City Council voted unanimously Thursday to impose a temporary moratorium on data center applications in the city, extending the proposed timeline from 12 to 24 months after council members argued more time was needed to develop an appropriate regulatory framework.
City Attorney Jeff Wilson told council the moratorium must remain reasonably tied to the time required to build a regulatory structure and cannot function as a permanent prohibition. Councilmember Seth Bryant pushed for the longer timeline, citing the rapidly evolving scale of data centers and their resource consumption. Wilson acknowledged 24 months could be reasonable. Council set a public hearing for July 16, 2026.
Council also filled three vacancies on the Downtown Development Authority board. Former Mayor Kelly Case, who helped establish the DDA in 2001 and managed its finances through 2014, received a term expiring June 18, 2029. Civil engineer David Mijares, a current DDA board member with a downtown office, received the term expiring July 1, 2028. Linda Cecere, co-owner of Bierwerks and Peak Wellness Lounge, received the term expiring June 27, 2028. All three votes passed unanimously. Youth Advisory Board Chairman Evan Snyder received unanimous appointment to the Keep Woodland Park Beautiful Committee.
City Manager Aaron Vassalotti presented the unaudited 2025 year-end report. The general fund ended the year with a $4.75 million balance on $12.56 million in revenues — 81% of budget, largely due to a school tax shortfall. Streets fund revenues hit 103% of projections, ending at $4.71 million. The Woodland Aquatic Center drew pointed discussion: its 45% cost recovery rate — plus $700,000 in debt service — prompted Vassalotti to call the situation unsustainable. Council and staff agreed on pushing cost recovery toward 55-60% and better aligning hours with school district schedules. The wastewater fund ended at $9.7 million, with Utilities Director Kip Wiley exploring early debt prepayment.
Council approved a special event temporary use permit for the America’s Mountain Festival, a 2,000-person outdoor concert scheduled for July 11 at 201 Saddle Club Avenue. The permit carried 20 conditions. A resident urged council to require a written emergency action plan; applicant Derek Waggoner agreed to prepare one. A representative of Our Lady of the Woods Catholic Church requested a music pause during the 4:30–5:30 p.m. Saturday Mass; Waggoner said he could not commit but would restart dialogue with the parish.
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