Gov. Mark Gordon says that while there has been a lot of concern about data centers using water “and rightfully so,” southeast Wyoming data centers are making adjustments to address water consumption concerns.

The governor told Wake Up Wyoming host Glenn Woods on Wednesday that ”Related Digital, for example, their new data center, is only going to have six bathrooms of consumptive use.”

Related Digital, on a project website for the Cheyenne Facility, says “Our design uses high-efficiency air cooling technology instead of high-water-use evaporative cooling systems.”

The governor goes on to say that Microsoft ‘has just redesigned some of their work, they are going to yield up 566 million gallons of water from just better design, and not using water consumptively, air cooling. We’re up high so our cooling needs are less.”

Microsoft recently announced plans for a 3.200 acre expansion of it’s operations in Cheyenne. On the website for the Cheyenne expansion project, the company says “Microsoft will minimize its water use and replenish more water than what is used.” The article goes on to say it’s Wyoming operations use direct evaporative cooling, adding “This design uses water for cooling less than 10% of the year, with the latest datacenter designs going even further, in some cases eliminating the need for ongoing access to water for cooling after an initial fill.”

What About Electricity?

The governor says in regard to electricity, companies like Microsoft and Related Digital and others have entered into a Large Power Contract Service tariff agreement with Black Hills Energy ‘so they are paying for everything to do with the upgrades, the service and so on. The demand… isn’t going to change in terms of what it is going to do to price.”

Gordon says the state is working with Black Hills Energy “so that rate payers are not affected.”

Hear Glenn Woods’ Interview With Gov. Gordon here

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — California is opening three new state parks and expanding others. The move is the largest growth of the state parks system in decades.

One new park is along the Feather River in Yuba County, another along the San Joaquin River near Fresno, and the third at a historic labor camp outside Bakersfield.

The state is also adding about 30,000 acres — a space about the size of San Francisco — to other parks.

A new park will also be added near Pigeon Point in San Mateo County.

MORE: Alcatraz Island closed through Friday for dock repairs; tours, cruises refunded

It’s all part of “State Parks Forward,” and the governor said California is pushing to protect and preserve state parks for future generations.

“For me, surfing is a chance to connect with the ocean and the marine wilderness out there,” said Nick Strong-Cvetich, Executive Director of Save the Waves. He is elated by the new announcement.

Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park in San Mateo County will triple in size.

The Peninsula Open Space Trust, aka POST is donating 132 acres of land to the park.

“It’s a really important announcement and we’re thrilled,” said Strong-Cvetich. “It gives a gift to future generations. And for us it opens the access so people can experience the ocean.”

MORE: What travelers should know about visits to national parks in 2026

Pigeon Point Park is one of several state parks expanding thanks to new state legislation. The new law adds 30,000 acres to existing state parks.

“Thanks to state parks new fast track process, POST was able to quickly donate this $5 million property to state parks for the management in perpetuity,” said Ezekiel Schlais, Peninsula Open Space Trust. “I know there are hundreds of thousands of people who visit this coastline every year and having access to additional bluff and coastal trails. And eventually having a California coastal trail is going to be an amazing benefit.”

Governor Gavin Newsom explained the importance of preserving and expanding parks in the Golden State.

“We are celebrating our history, celebrating culture, celebrating our diversity, celebrating a sense of space,” said Governor Newsom.

Newsom also said, “doubling down on protecting the Golden State’s natural beauty as Trump sells out on America’s national parks.”

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. — If you feel like we’ve had a lot of red flag days across Colorado since the start of the year, you’re right.

According to our Denver7 weather team, there have been 369 red flag warnings across the state since the start of 2026, marking the second-highest number recorded to date since 2005. In 2023, there were 408 red flag warnings from Jan. 1 through April 22 of that year, according to Denver7 meteorologist Danielle Grant

A red flag day happens when warm temperatures, low humidity and strong winds combine to create critical fire weather conditions.

▶️ WATCH: Denver7’s Claire Lavezzorio talked red flag fatigue with residents and officials

Colorado sees second-highest number of red flag days since 2005

In Boulder County, officials say the frequency of these warnings in their area is breaking records, too.

“We’ve had 21 thus far since the beginning of 2026, and that number is almost as many as we’ve had in the previous years combined, 2024 and 2025,” said Vinnie Montez, a spokesperson for the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.

With the high volume of alerts, Montez worries the frequent warnings will become white noise.

Denver7 asked him if there is some red flag fatigue in the community.

“When you see the same commercial come up over and over again, you’re kind of like, flip the channel, right? I think that can happen in what we’re messaging,” Montez said.

At Chautauqua Park in Boulder, residents are taking note of how often these days are happening.

“It’s almost every day,” Mac Whittington said.

Levi Brown, a Boulder resident, pointed out that all the ingredients for high fire danger are present.

“You look around, there’s a lot of fuel in the ground, a lot of wind blowing right now, in fact,” Brown said.

For Brown, who has lived in the area for 26 years, every warning carries weight.

“It seems to be more prevalent now. And I don’t take it lightly,” Brown said.

For those who do not take the days seriously, Whittington offered a word of caution.

“Hopefully we don’t have to learn the lesson the hard way,” he said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.