Data center profile · 1160 N. Gun Club Road, Aurora, Colorado (Arapahoe County)

QTS Aurora-Denver Campus (DEN1)

QTS data center campus in Aurora, Colorado: 160 MW utility contract, one building complete, others rising, 98 more diesel backup generators sought.

One of three buildings complete, no tenant on record. Regulators approved the power contract in June 2024; Aurora issued construction permits in Feb. 2025. Press in July 2026: one of three buildings complete, a second nearly finished. A state air permit for 98 more backup generators is under review.
160 MW
average load at full build, per the utility contract
ramped over five to ten years; QTS's own 2022 figure was 177 MW of critical power (press)
230 kV
dedicated double-circuit line, paid for by QTS
about $28M (press); the line could carry almost 1,000 MW, far above this campus's load (press)
40 now, 138 sought
diesel backup generators
about 345 MW if all 138 are built; emergency units only, never counted as supply
1 of 3
buildings complete (press, July 2026)
a second appears nearly finished; a third is being prepared
OperatorQTS (owned by Blackstone)
CustomerNo named tenant; QTS markets the capacity to future customers
Planned IT capacity123 MW at full build-out (our estimate from the company or utility power figure)
First building in serviceOur estimate: 2027 (range 2027 to 2029); company had targeted 2025.
Next stepState decision on the 98-generator permit change, with a 30-day public comment period first; no date published
Power

Power and the grid

160 MW contracted

Xcel Energy grid serviceApproved by the state
160 MW
average load at full build under the approved contract; utility load, not IT capacity Utility regulator · June 2023
Contracted
Backup generators (emergency use, not a power supply)

Getting on the grid

Who supplies what, what it costs, and what is still not public.

  1. June 23, 2023
    Utility files for approval
    The utility asks the state to approve the QTS discounted rate contract and the dedicated 230 kV line. Utility regulator · Oct. 2026
  2. June 2024
    State approves
    The Public Utilities Commission approves the contract as conditioned and grants a certificate for the line, which QTS pays for. News report · Oct. 2026

Backup generators on file

Emergency units only; they are not a power supply for the campus.

Permits

Permits checklist

2 pending · 4 granted

Approvals a campus like this normally needs (including an air permit for backup or on-site generators), and what we found.

Risks

What could slow it down

Money

Money on record

$28M QTS payment for the dedicated 230 kV line (press report; the line is owned and run by the utility). News report · Oct. 2024

Timeline

What happened, and what is due

SitePaper trailConstructionPowerPermitsMoneyLegalUpcoming
  1. May 2022
    Site QTS lists a Denver campus with 177 MW of critical power on 67 acres (press) News report · Oct. 2026
  2. June 23, 2023
    Power Xcel Energy's Colorado utility asks state regulators to approve the QTS discounted power contract and a customer-funded 230 kV line Utility regulator · Oct. 2026
  3. July 25, 2023
    Permits The state air division issues the first permit for the emergency diesel generators State agency · Oct. 2026
  4. June 2024
    Power The Colorado Public Utilities Commission approves the power contract and grants a certificate for the transmission line News report · Oct. 2026
  5. Feb. 2025
    Construction Aurora issues local construction permits (press) News report · July 2026
  6. March 7, 2025
    Permits The generator permit is reissued for 40 emergency engines with operating limits State agency · Oct. 2026
  7. July 2025
    Permits QTS applies to add 98 diesel generators, taking the fleet from 40 to 138 units News report · July 2026
  8. July 8, 2026
    Legal Environmental groups and residents oppose the generator request; the state promises a 30-day public comment period News report · July 2026
  9. Aug. 10, 2026
    Permits Aurora City Council declines a development pause and directs staff to draft data center rules; existing campuses are not paused News report · Sept. 2026
Construction activity

Since Sept. 2026: 1 FAA filing (Sept. 2026): a 300 ft crane. FAA · Sept. 2026

The buildings

Specs

~80 acres
four buildings planned in the utility filing; QTS's own 2022 figure was 67 acres
Utility regulator · June 2023
2,400 gallons a day
water use, closed-loop cooling, per Aurora Water (press)
News report · July 2026
Who is involved

Owners, partners and builders

Owners and developers
  • QTS Aurora, LLC: facility owner and air permit holder
  • QTS Aurora Infrastructure, LLC: customer on the power contract
  • Blackstone: owner of QTS since 2021 (press)
Power
  • Public Service Company of Colorado (Xcel Energy): serving utility, builds the 230 kV line
Decision-makers
  • Colorado Public Utilities Commission: power contract and line
  • Colorado Air Pollution Control Division: generator permits
  • Aurora City Council: land use and future data center rules
Still unknown

Open questions

Where this comes from

100 records from 13 documents

Drawn from news reports, state agency records and utility regulator dockets, each kept with its date and source. The bar shows documents by type.

News report 8State agency 3Utility regulator 2
Evidence

Every quote behind this page

Grade key: A = the primary record itself (permit, filing, exhibit) · B = a dated official statement · C = news reporting. Map distances are our own measurements on OpenStreetMap and carry no grade. Allegations in lawsuits are marked as such in the quotes.

Power (20)
  • On-site generation: 100 MW
    “These engines are designated as an emergency power generator, and therefore must only be operated to provide back-up power to the facility”
    State agency · March 2025 · grade A
  • Backup generators: 40 units
    “GEN1-GEN40, points 001-040: diesel-fueled internal combustion emergency engines, Kohler KD2500 and options, NSPS Subpart IIII Tier 2”
    State agency · March 2025 · grade A
  • Utility service: 160 MW
    “with an average estimated total load of approximately 160 MW at full capacity (ramped into over a period of five to ten years)”
    Utility regulator · June 2024 · grade B
  • Power plan: grid
    “Public Service will construct, own, and operate a dedicated, doublecircuit 230 kilovolt transmission line and associated transmission facilities fully funded by QTS”
    Utility regulator · June 2024 · grade B
  • Utility: Public Service Company of Colorado (Xcel Energy)
    “Public Service Company of Colorado (Public Service or Company) filed an Application for Approval of a Non-Standard Economic Development Rate (EDR) Contract”
    Utility regulator · June 2024 · grade B
  • Original target date: not stated
    “with an average estimated total load of approximately 160 MW at full capacity (ramped into over a period of five to ten years)”
    Utility regulator · June 2024 · grade B
  • Jurisdiction: City of Aurora (land use and building permits); CDPHE APCD (air permits); Colorado PUC (rate and transmission); Arapahoe County (property tax)
    “QTS received local construction permits in February 2025”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • QTS adds its Denver Data Center Campus (1160 N Gun Club Rd, Aurora) to its website: 177 MW of critical power capacity planned on 67 acres.
    “The company says it plans to offer 177MWs of critical power capacity on 67 acres of land at 1160 N. Gun Club Rd, Aurora, Colorado”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • The customer-funded double-circuit 230 kV line is reported capable of supporting almost 1,000 MW of transfer capacity - utility headroom far above the 160 MW EDR load. NOT booked as campus MW (signals only, per brief).
    “The line is capable of supporting almost 1,000 megawatts of transfer capacity”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • Site location: Eastern edge of Aurora, south of Denver International Airport
    “On the eastern edge of Aurora, QTS, a leading data center developer, is rapidly transforming a 65-acre property south of Denver International Airport.”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • Site acres: 65 acres
    “On the eastern edge of Aurora, QTS, a leading data center developer, is rapidly transforming a 65-acre property south of Denver International Airport.”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • Developer: QTS Data Centers
    “QTS, a leading data center developer, is rapidly transforming a 65-acre property south of Denver International Airport”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • Stated campus size: not stated
    “While we don't disclose specific power capacity for security and confidentiality reasons, our projects go through all the appropriate reviews”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • Backup generators count applied: 138 units
    “it plans to add 98 diesel backup generators to its fleet of 40 hulking engines already installed at the Aurora campus”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • Backup fleet of 40 diesel generators installed, with 98 more proposed (138 total); CPR notes the full fleet could output around 345 MW - a press estimate of backup capacity only
    “The full set of 138 generators could output around 345 megawatts of electricity, more than twice the reported energy appetite of the Aurora facility.”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • QTS applies to CDPHE to add 98 SCR-equipped diesel generators (fleet 40 to 138 units, ~345 MW) and raise testing hours; application still under review a year later with a public comment period pending.
    “Colorado air regulators are currently reviewing the QTS application to modify its pollution permit”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • Developer: QTS (Quality Technology Services)
    “extend to a new substation on the data center campus being developed by Quality Technology Services (QTS)”
    News report · Feb. 2025 · grade C
  • Utility: Xcel Energy
    “Adams County commissioners on Feb. 25 approved an Xcel Energy permit to build a roughly 1.3-mile overhead transmission line”
    News report · Feb. 2025 · grade C
  • IT capacity: 177 MW
    “The company says it plans to offer 177MWs of critical power capacity on 67 acres of land at 1160 N. Gun Club Rd, Aurora, Colorado, 80018.”
    News report · June 2022 · grade C
  • IT capacity: 177 MW
    “The company says it plans to offer 177MWs of critical power capacity on 67 acres of land at 1160 N. Gun Club Rd, Aurora, Colorado”
    News report · May 2022 · grade C
Money and contracts (15)
  • electric service agreement (EDR): term minimum 10 years
    “QTS has committed to taking electric service from the Company for a minimum of ten years”
    Utility regulator · June 2024 · grade B
  • electric service agreement (EDR): rate discount
    “subject to receiving a percentage discount off standard base rates under Schedule Transmission General (TG)”
    Utility regulator · June 2024 · grade B
  • electric service agreement (EDR): condition, EDR eligibility found (HB18-1271 economic development rate)
    “The Recommended Decision finds that QTS is eligible to receive an EDR, approves the EDR”
    Utility regulator · June 2024 · grade B
  • electric service agreement (EDR): termination, FINDING: no termination, cancellation or early-exit clause is stated in the public decision; the EDR contract itself is not public
    “The Non-Standard Economic Development Rate Customer Service Agreement between Public Service and QTS Aurora Infrastructure, LLC is approved as conditioned and clarified by this Recommended Decision”
    Utility regulator · June 2024 · grade B
  • transmission construction agreement (TSA): scope, PSCo to construct, own and operate a dedicated double-circuit 230 kV transmission line and associated facilities (incl. on-site substation)
    “Public Service will construct, own, and operate a dedicated, doublecircuit 230 kilovolt transmission line and associated transmission facilities fully funded by QTS”
    Utility regulator · June 2024 · grade B
  • transmission construction agreement (TSA): funding, transmission facilities fully funded by QTS (customer-funded)
    “a dedicated, doublecircuit 230 kilovolt transmission line and associated transmission facilities fully funded by QTS (QTS Transmission Facilities)”
    Utility regulator · June 2024 · grade B
  • transmission construction agreement (TSA): CPCN, certificate granted for the QTS Transmission Facilities (no-CPCN determination denied)
    “It is found and concluded that the QTS Transmission Project is reasonable and in the public interest. Based thereupon, a CPCN will be granted”
    Utility regulator · June 2024 · grade B
  • transmission construction agreement (TSA): condition, noise and EMF within reasonable limits, no mitigation required (37 dB(A) max; 150 mG)
    “the projected levels of audible noise and magnetic fields associated with the QTS Transmission Facilities are within reasonable limits and require no further mitigation”
    Utility regulator · 2024 · grade B
  • electric service agreement (EDR): scope 160 MW
    “The facility is expected to consist of four individual data center buildings on an approximately 80-acre site, with an average estimated total load of approximately 160 MW at full capacity”
    Utility regulator · June 2023 · grade B
  • Tenants: not stated
    “QTS also promises around-the-clock service for future customers”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • Tenant status: No named tenant; wholesale/colocation capacity marketed by QTS
    “QTS also promises around-the-clock service for future customers”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • development agreement: transmission line development agreement
    “voting 5-0 to grant the Areas and Activities of State Interest (ASI) permit RCU2024-8 and an associated development agreement”
    News report · Feb. 2025 · grade C
  • electric service agreement (EDR): rate discount, FINDING: approved discount percentage is confidential and is not stated in any public document opened
    “The PUC-approved discount rate now offered by Xcel to QTS is confidential, so we can only speculate on what that rate is”
    News report · Oct. 2024 · grade C
  • transmission construction agreement (TSA): cost 28000000 USD
    “QTS paid $28 million for a dual-circuit 230 kV line to connect their building to a nearby Xcel Energy substation”
    News report · Oct. 2024 · grade C
  • regulatory approval: approval, Decision C24-0378 adopts R24-0168 and approves the EDR contract as conditioned
    “In a June 2024 decision, the PUC followed the 2018 law and approved a wellbelowmarket confidential rate for an expandable HDC - the Blackstoneowned QTS data center in Aurora”
    News report · June 2024 · grade C
Permits and government (21)
  • CDPHE APCD issues construction permit 22AR0210 Issuance 1 (initial approval) for the DEN1 emergency generator fleet.
    “Issuance 1 July 25, 2023 Issued to Quality Technology Services. Initial Approval.”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • CDPHE issues 22AR0210 Issuance 2: 40-genset fleet confirmed; MTU and CAT engine options added; permittee renamed to QTS Aurora, LLC.
    “Issued to QTS Aurora, LLC. Addition of MTU and CAT engines for use. Removal of self-certification requirements for already-installed and certified engines.”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • air construction permit: issued (Issuance 2)
    “General Description: Emergency generators for data center”
    State agency · March 2025 · grade A
  • air construction permit: issued - initial approval
    “Issuance 1 July 25, 2023 Issued to Quality Technology Services. Initial Approval.”
    State agency · March 2025 · grade A
  • air construction permit: issued - modification
    “Permit Number: 22AR0210 (Issuance 2); Date Issued: 3/7/2025; Issued To: QTS Aurora, LLC; Facility Name: QTS DEN1”
    State agency · March 2025 · grade A
  • air construction permit: condition - operating limits
    “These engines are designated as an emergency power generator, and therefore must only be operated to provide back-up power to the facility when electric power is interrupted”
    State agency · March 2025 · grade A
  • Public Service Company of Colorado files Proceeding 23A-0330E seeking approval of the QTS EDR contract and a CPCN determination for the customer-funded 230 kV transmission facilities.
    “On June 23, 2023, Public Service Company of Colorado (Public Service or Company) filed an Application for Approval of a Non-Standard Economic Development Rate (EDR) Contract”
    Utility regulator · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • CDPHE permit 09EP1103) is a separate QTS campus - not booked in this folder.
    “Issued to: QTS Colorado Springs I, LLC; Facility Name: Building CXC01; Physical Location: 311 Rock Rimmon Blvd., Colorado Springs; County: El Paso”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade B
  • FAA obstruction evaluation (7460-1): Determined - No Hazard
    “ASN 2026-ANM-5848-OE: 330T Crane, Mobile Crane, 300 ft AGL, 5849 ft AMSL, 39.73257,-104.71378, Determined - No Hazard, submitted 2026-09-18”
    FAA · Sept. 2026 · grade B
  • Colorado PUC Decision C24-0378 approves the QTS EDR contract and grants a CPCN for the customer-funded transmission facilities.
    “In a June 2024 decision, the PUC followed the 2018 law and approved a wellbelowmarket confidential rate for an expandable HDC - the Blackstoneowned QTS data center in Aurora”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • Aurora City Council declines a data-center moratorium and directs staff to draft data-center regulations (evaporative-cooling ban, buffers); existing campuses including DEN1 are not paused.
    “The council voted against a six-month data center moratorium Wiles introduced in August”
    News report · Sept. 2026 · grade C
  • Aurora City Council: Data-center moratorium vs. regulation: council declined to impose a development pause and directed the city manager/staff to draft data-center regulations (evaporative-cooling prohibition, buffer zon
    “The council voted against a six-month data center moratorium Wiles introduced in August. It instead approved a resolution giving the city manager 30 days to bring back measures”
    News report · Sept. 2026 · grade C
  • air permit modification: application filed - under review, not issued
    “it plans to add 98 diesel backup generators to its fleet of 40 hulking engines already installed at the Aurora campus, according to a permit application submitted to state regulators in July 2025”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • building permits: issued
    “QTS received local construction permits in February 2025”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • air compliance review: agency compliance inquiry opened
    “They will investigate what activities have commenced and if those are in line with air regulations”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • After CPR News raised the question, APCD compliance officials said they would look into whether construction activity at the campus complies with state air quality rules; QTS says it is fully authorized under local const
    “They will investigate what activities have commenced and if those are in line with air regulations”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • QTS receives City of Aurora local construction permits; campus construction proceeds.
    “QTS received local construction permits in February 2025”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • A state legislative push to regulate data centers (renewables supply, tighter backup-generator standards, environmental-justice input) failed in the 2026 session.
    “her organization helped lead a failed push to regulate data centers in the last legislative session”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • Aurora City Council (town hall hosted by Councilmember Amy Wiles): Town hall on data center development; QTS and Xcel Energy representatives attended and took resident questions on generator noise and pollution
    “Aurora City Councilperson Amy Wiles organized a town hall on data center development last month, and she said QTS representatives attended to discuss concerns from residents”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • air permit modification: modification application filed; under review, public comment period expected
    “It plans to add 98 diesel backup generators to its fleet of 40 hulking engines already installed at the Aurora campus, according to a permit application submitted to state regulators in July 2025.”
    News report · July 2025 · grade C
  • Areas and Activities of State Interest (1041/ASI) permit: approved 5-0
    “voting 5-0 to grant the Areas and Activities of State Interest (ASI) permit RCU2024-8 and an associated development agreement”
    News report · Feb. 2025 · grade C
Site and other (18)
  • Campus name: QTS DEN1 (QTS Aurora-Denver Campus)
    “Facility Name: QTS DEN1; Issued To: QTS Aurora, LLC”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • Address: 1160 N Gun Club Rd, Aurora, CO 80018
    “Physical Location: 1160 N Gun Club Rd, Aurora”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • County code: Arapahoe County, CO (08005)
    “County: Arapahoe County”
    State agency · Oct. 2026 · grade A
  • County code: 08005
    “County: Arapahoe County”
    State agency · March 2025 · grade A
  • Site address: 1160 N Gun Club Rd, Aurora, CO
    “Physical Location: 1160 N Gun Club Rd, Aurora”
    State agency · March 2025 · grade A
  • Operator: QTS Aurora, LLC
    “Issued To: QTS Aurora, LLC”
    State agency · March 2025 · grade A
  • Site acres: 80 acres
    “The facility is expected to consist of four individual data center buildings on an approximately 80-acre site”
    Utility regulator · June 2023 · grade B
  • Buildings planned: 4 buildings
    “The facility is expected to consist of four individual data center buildings on an approximately 80-acre site”
    Utility regulator · June 2023 · grade B
  • Stage: building
    “One of three massive data centers is already complete, a second appears nearly finished and heavy machinery is now prepping a footprint for the third”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • nothing from it is booked here.
    “The campus is rising about four miles south of the proposed Trident facility”
    News report · Oct. 2026 · grade C
  • Building count: 3 buildings
    “One of three massive data centers is already complete, a second appears nearly finished and heavy machinery is now prepping a footprint for the third.”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • Project status: building on track
    “One of three massive data centers is already complete, a second appears nearly finished and heavy machinery is now prepping a footprint for the third.”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • Construction stage: DC1 complete (2025); DC2 under construction; DC3 site preparation under way
    “One of three massive data centers is already complete, a second appears nearly finished and heavy machinery is now prepping a footprint for the third”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • Current target date: not stated
    “One of three massive data centers is already complete, a second appears nearly finished and heavy machinery is now prepping a footprint for the third”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • Water cooling: Closed-loop cooling; about 2,400 gallons of water per day
    “The QTS facility uses about 2,400 gallons of water daily, according to Shonnie Cline, deputy director of Aurora Water”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • Facility uses closed-loop cooling at about 2,400 gallons of water per day per Aurora Water - far below evaporative-cooling peers; relevant to Aurora large-water-user framework.
    “To comply, the QTS facility will rely on a closed-loop cooling system to prevent its servers from overheating”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • NRDC and Aurora residents oppose the generator expansion in a severe ozone nonattainment area; APCD commits to a 30-day public comment period on the modification.
    “The QTS Aurora expansion is a perfect example of why Colorado needs strong statewide data center guardrails”
    News report · July 2026 · grade C
  • Announced: May 2022
    “The company added a 'Denver Data Center Campus' to its website in late May, in an update first spotted by the Foundations newsletter.”
    News report · May 2022 · grade C