August 2026
Project Taurus - Planning Commission Rejects Appeals
The Colorado Springs Planning Commission voted 6 to 2 to reject appeals of the Planning Department’s administrative approval of plans for the Project Taurus data center on July 23.
The data center is positioned be located southwest of the intersection of Garden of the Gods Road and Centennial Boulevard. The appeals claimed, arguing among other things, that the project will be larger and more impactful than was presented to city staff, that the project did not qualify for “administrative” approval, but instead required a public hearing before the Planning Commission, and that various impact studies were inadequate.
The City reports that two appeals of the Planning Commission decision have been filed and that the matter will be scheduled for a hearing by Colorado Springs City Council on a date to be determined. We need Colorado Springs residents to get involved and stand up against unnecessary and intrusive data centers.
Now that the final decision on Project Taurus has been left to the Colorado Springs city council, it's time to make sure local electeds are hearing the concerns of their community. Data centers should not be built if the impacts outweigh the benefits. As the proposal stands now, the concerns raised around this 50 MW data center being built so close to a National Natural Landmark and residential communities need to be addressed. Colorado Springs residents deserve transparency and accountability. Send a message to your city council member.
You can also get more information and ways to get involved at the No Data Center Colorado Springs' Community Meeting happening on August 7th from 6:00-7:30PM at the Beth-El Mennonite Church on Ranch Dr. Please RSVP here.
Colorado Spring Utilities Considers Nuclear
Colorado Springs has adopted an Electric Integrated Resource Management Plan under which an updated Clean Energy Plan will be submitted by the end of 2026 and will lay out CSU's plan to achieve 80% emissions reduction by 2033, replace the Nixon coal plant, and seek to reduce emissions by 95% in 2040. The recommended resource plan includes adding 750 MW Solar, 425 MW Wind, 477 MW Nuclear and 50 MW Geothermal. As part of the EIRP process, CSU is holding a public open house on August 18, 2026 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Leon Young Service Center, 1521 Hancock Expwy., Pikes Peak Room. People can also submit feedback online here.
As noted above, CSU is strongly supporting use of nuclear power as a means of meeting its clean energy goals and will be taking part in a feasibility study on small modular reactors. The Sierra Club remains unequivocally opposed to nuclear energy. Although nuclear plants have been in operation for less than 60 years, we now have seen three serious disasters.
Besides reactor safety, both nuclear proliferation and the required long-term storage of nuclear waste (which remains lethal for more than 100,000 years) make nuclear power a uniquely dangerous energy technology for humanity. Nuclear is no solution to Climate Change and every dollar spent on nuclear is one less dollar spent on truly safe, affordable and renewable energy sources. Please see the following links for more information on our stance.
Nuclear Free Future | Sierra Club
Nuclear Power is a False Climate Solution
August News
Conservation Report
By Jim Lockhart
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Wolf Report
Collared wolf activity continues to be monitored in Colorado. See this report from July 21, 2026.
Have you ever wondered what the difference between a wolf and coyote is? See this helpful guide.
Wildlife continues to face threats here in Colorado. Please see this Wild News update from Delia Malone for more information and how you can help.
Two Great Events Happening!
El Pomar section of Fountain Creek Cleanup is happening August 29, 2026 from 9:15am to 11:15am. Come out for a cleanup of the Sierra Clubs El Pomar section of Fountain Creek from 9:15am to 11:15 am. RSVP here. Meeting area will be in the northeastern most area of the Kohl's parking lot at 9am. Wear sturdy shoes, sunscreen, hat and bring water. We supply gloves, pickup grabbers, bags and other necessary materials. A short trash handling and safety talk will be at the beginning.
Join the Pikes Peak Group at Seven's Gate Brewery on September 15, 2026. We will be showing a short film called the Lost Forest, by National Geographic, a Nobel Prize winning short. The brewery donates $1 to every beer sold to the group so come out for some good company, a cool movie, and a delicious beer! Please keep an eye on your inbox for more information!
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