Colorado
2025 NFL Mock Draft: Titans take Cam Ward, Colorado's stars go in the top three
• Travis Hunter heads to Cleveland, and Shedeur Sanders joins the Giants: Hunter would provide dual-threat ability for a depleted Browns squad, while Sanders could be the answer to New York’s quarterback woes.
• Titans secure the No. 1 overall pick: Tennessee is the unlikely winner of the No. 1 pick sweepstakes, and Miami quarterback Cam Ward is the team’s choice in this mock draft.
• 2025 NFL Draft season is here: Try PFF’s best-in-class Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2025’s top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team.
Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
The 2025 NFL Draft order is now set for the 18 non-playoff teams. Here is one way the first round could play out as things stand, with the Tennessee Titans kicking things off by drafting one of only two quarterbacks selected in Round 1.
1. TENNESSEE TITANS: QB CAM WARD, MIAMI (FL)
The Titans earned the No. 1 overall pick in Week 18, largely because of their shortcomings at the quarterback position this season. Ward won’t be a fit for every team. For as much as he has some heroic big-time throws, he also has some head-scratching turnover-worthy plays. But he has improved every year he’s been in college, no matter the team. Ward possesses the mentality and the confidence you want in a potential franchise passer.
2. CLEVELAND BROWNS: WR/CB TRAVIS HUNTER, COLORADO
The Browns getting the No. 2 pick means that a quarterback could be in play. I also like the idea of them exploring all options to trade down, especially if they don’t take a quarterback here (I would not). But with this being our first mock with the solidified non-playoff draft order, I didn’t want to do any trade-downs. Instead, I stay true to the big board and give the Browns the best playmaker in the draft in Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
Hunter was the third-highest-graded cornerback (90.6) and the sixth-highest-graded receiver (89.0) in the FBS. He could legitimately play on both sides of the ball in Cleveland. I would slot him in full time at cornerback with about 10-15 plays at receiver each week.
3. NEW YORK GIANTS: QB SHEDEUR SANDERS, COLORADO
Truth be told, I am not at all convinced a quarterback will be drafted in the top five this year. But until free agency proves otherwise, the Giants are so desperate for a quarterback that it would feel disingenuous not to award them one here. Sanders recorded an 83.0 PFF passing grade in all four college seasons he played in. Over the past two years, he was excellent at post-snap reads and taking care of the football. Sanders doesn’t have the strongest arm, but he plays a clean brand of quarterback — which some teams will gravitate toward.
4. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: T WILL CAMPBELL, LSU
The Patriots’ Week 18 win over the Bills dropped from the No. 1 overall pick to No. 4. Shortly after their victory, they fired head coach Jerod Mayo, so their vision of how to build around quarterback Drake Maye could change. But the desire to improve what was statistically the worst offensive line should remain a constant. Campbell will be viewed as a guard by some teams, but he feels like a player who, with three years of good starting experience at tackle at LSU, should get his shot at tackle in the pros. Regardless, he’s a damn good lineman who would be an immediate starter in New England.
5. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: DI MASON GRAHAM, MICHIGAN
Jaguars edge defenders Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen bring disruptive potential, but the team’s defense lacks strong interior play to match it. Graham, who earned elite PFF overall grades of 90.0 and 90.7 over the past two seasons, is a stud run defender and a twitchy interior pass-rusher. This is a “best player available” type of pick.
6. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: WR TETAIROA McMILLAN, ARIZONA
After trading away Davante Adams mid-season, the Raiders created a serious need for a WR1. They will likely be in the market for one in free agency, but if that fails, they should be in range for one of the top receivers in the draft. Here, they get the top receiver on PFF’s big board in Arizona’s McMillan. He’s a 6-foot-5 receiver with some of the strongest hands in the class and a unique after-the-catch mentality for a player of his size. He felt like a lone bright spot on the Wildcats’ offense this year.
7. NEW YORK JETS: CB WILL JOHNSON, MICHIGAN
Johnson was hurt for most of this season, but when he was fully healthy last year, he showed us he was one of the best coverage players in the country with top-tier NFL ability. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, he has the athletic ability and fluidity to play mirror-man coverage against any receiver. Adding Johnson to a secondary with Sauce Gardner would create elite potential.
8. CAROLINA PANTHERS: EDGE ABDUL CARTER, PENN STATE
The Panthers’ win over the Falcons in Week 18 may have dropped them in the draft order, but Bryce Young capping off an incredible turnaround over the second half of this season was more important than a few draft spots (and that’s coming from a draft guy). Defense needs to be the focus for the Panthers in the draft, and pass rush is likely at the top of their list. Carter has the best burst and bend in the class, and he earned a 91.0 PFF pass-rush grade with a 23.0% pass-rush win rate in his first year as a full-time edge rusher this year. He would be a welcomed addition to Carolina’s defensive line.

9. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: EDGE NIC SCOURTON, TEXAS A&M
It was a quiet year for Scourton based on expectations. But at Purdue in 2023, he earned a 91.0 PFF pass-rush grade with a 21.3% pass-rush win rate, thanks to a deep pass-rush tool bag with tons of different moves and counters at 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds. He is the Saints’ type as a 4-3 defensive end (depending on whether the new coaching staff has that same front).
10. CHICAGO BEARS: T KELVIN BANKS JR., TEXAS
The Bears’ offensive line was still too up-and-down this season for the front office to not make new investments. Banks is small in height and length for a tackle (might be just under 6-foot-4), so he may start his career inside at guard. That could work out flawlessly in Chicago, which seems to have more solidified talent at the tackle spots. His athletic ability is very impressive and provides him with a high ceiling, and he earned 86.8 and 88.0 PFF pass-blocking grades over the past two years.
11. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: EDGE JALON WALKER, GEORGIA
The 49ers could use help in the trenches this offseason, and defense is the choice here due to it being the strong position in this year’s draft. Walker is listed as an off-ball linebacker, but he is at his best when rushing the passer as an edge. At 6-foot-2 and around 250 pounds, he’s a bit light on his measurables to be a full-time edge defender, but his 18.3% and 21.0% pass-rush win rates over the past two years are proof of his consistent disruption at that size. Walker is explosive and turns speed to power easily.
12. DALLAS COWBOYS: RB ASHTON JEANTY, BOISE STATE
Is this an obvious choice? Yes. Does that change my mind? No. Jeanty enjoyed a historic season this year with more than 2,600 rushing yards. But beyond just the overall output, he was also incredibly efficient, with a 96.6 PFF rushing grade, a 99th-percentile missed tackles forced per attempt figure and a 98th-percentile yards after contact number. He is one of the best football players in the draft, and Dallas needs a player like that badly on its offense.
13. MIAMI DOLPHINS: T JOSH SIMMONS, OHIO STATE
Simmons got hurt midway through the season, so unfortunately, we haven’t seen him during Ohio State’s deep playoff run. But before he tore his ACL, he looked like one of the top offensive tackles in the draft. He has some of the best footwork in the class, with good athletic ability and smooth movements. The Dolphins just need to improve their offensive line in any way they can, and Simmons could play guard for them if Patrick Paul is a starter at offensive tackle. On 158 pass-blocking snaps this season, Simmons didn’t allow a sack and allowed just one pressure on his way to an 82.0 PFF pass-blocking grade.
14. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: TE TYLER WARREN, PENN STATE
It’s not often that a tight end is selected in the top 20, but Warren warrants it. He’s a true all-around tight end who can block effectively in-line and make strong contested catches as a receiver. The big plus is that, at 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, he earned a 93.3 PFF receiving grade thanks to 666 receiving yards after the catch this season as Penn State’s main mode of receiving production.
15. ATLANTA FALCONS: EDGE JAMES PEARCE JR., TENNESSEE
The Falcons’ pass rush came alive during the second half of the season, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t consider selecting a pass-rusher in a pass-rusher-heavy draft. Pearce gives them some burst and bend they don’t have on their defensive line right now, and he plays a natural stand-up outside linebacker spot. Though undersized at around 240 pounds, he recorded pass-rush win rates above 20% in each of the past two years.
16. ARIZONA CARDINALS: DI WALTER NOLEN, OLE MISS
Nolen is a former five-star recruit who came into his own this season. He is incredibly explosive at 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds and earned an elite 91.1 PFF run-defense grade with great flashes as a twitched-up pass-rusher (73.5 PFF pass-rush grade in 2024). The Cardinals need new juice on their defensive line, specifically in the pass-rush category.
17. CINCINNATI BENGALS: WR LUTHER BURDEN III, MISSOURI
Burden was not as productive in 2024 as in 2023, but that is more an indictment of the offense as a whole than Burden. He is an elite after-the-catch receiver who can win as a flanker and in the slot. The Jermaine Burton experiment is not going well in Cincinnati, and pending free agent Tee Higgins could be elsewhere next season. The Bengals need plenty of help on the defensive line but could use another playmaker next to Ja’Marr Chase to remain a potent offense.
18. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: EDGE SHEMAR STEWART, TEXAS A&M
Edge rusher Boye Mafe took a nice step forward as a pass-rusher this year, but the Seahawks need more in that area. Stewart has a rare combination of size, speed and power at 6-foot-6 and 290 pounds. He earned an 88.9 PFF run-defense grade but also flashed as a pass-rusher over the past two years. If he can hone his go-to pass-rush moves, he could be a great addition for Seattle.
19. HOUSTON TEXANS: T CAMERON WILLIAMS, TEXAS
The Texans’ interior offensive line has been a major Achilles’ heel of their offense. Tytus Howard has been pushed into one of the guard spots, which has produced mixed results. They could potentially keep him there if they draft a talented offensive tackle to play opposite Laremy Tunsil. Williams is raw but extremely talented with length, power and speed. Plus, he has plenty of experience at right tackle.
20. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: S MALAKI STARKS, GEORGIA
The Buccaneers will be eyeing pass-rush upgrades, but with a lot of the top pass-rushers off the board — and with this being a deep pash-rush class in Rounds 2 and 3 — I like the idea of them forming what would likely be the most talented safety duo in the league: Starks and Antoine Winfield Jr. This season has exposed Tampa Bay’s deficiencies in the secondary.
21. DENVER BRONCOS: TE COLSTON LOVELAND
Despite wide receiver Courtland Sutton‘s excellence, the Broncos have lacked any other consistent receiver presence on offense in 2024. Head coach Sean Payton has been one to emphasize the tight end position when he has a viable option. Loveland’s lack of production this year was more an indication of how poor Michigan’s passing game was than anything. When he’s healthy and in a rolling offense (see 2023), he’s a big, fluid receiver — an ideal passing weapon for Bo Nix moving forward.
22. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: CB BENJAMIN MORRISON, NOTRE DAME
Morrison hasn’t been a part of Notre Dame’s deep playoff run due to a hip injury, but he’s a fluid, fearless man coverage cornerback — something the Steelers have been searching for in their past few secondary draft picks.
23. LOS ANGELES RAMS: WYATT MILUM, WEST VIRGINIA
Rob Havenstein will be 33 years old and in the last year of his contract next season. The Rams could look to find his replacement, whether for 2025 or beyond. Milum was one of the most consistently dominant offensive linemen in 2024. He earned a 91.7 PFF overall grade with 90.0-plus grades in run blocking and pass blocking.
24. GREEN BAY PACKERS: CB SHAVON REVEL, EAST CAROLINA
The Packers‘ cornerbacks were disappointing this season. Revel represents their type of player, meeting length and speed thresholds while bringing play-making ability. He should be very high on their board, even coming off a torn ACL.
25. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: EDGE JACK SAWYER, OHIO STATE
Khalil Mack has been productive over the past few years, even now at 33 years old. But Joey Bosa has taken a step back due to injuries, and Mack won’t be there forever. Head coach Jim Harbaugh is not one to let the trenches fade into oblivion when it comes to roster building. Sawyer has been steady, disruptive and productive over the past two seasons, something Harbaugh got a good look at when facing him multiple times in the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry.
26. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: MYKEL WILLIAMS, GEORGIA
The Commanders are building a good-looking defense under Dan Quinn, but they still need talent and depth at edge rusher. Williams is a high-floor player who is as strong as an ox with long arms, but his pass-rush game is still developing (he might not be a high-sack player). I do like him for the Commanders, though, since they would get stouter with his presence.
27. BALTIMORE RAVENS: T JOSH CONERLY JR., OREGON
Oregon’s Conerly took a big step up in pass protection this year. He allowed just 10 pressures on 521 pass-blocking snaps while earning a 78.0 PFF pass-blocking grade on true pass sets. He is a true junior with two years of starting experience under his belt. The NFL will love the potential.
28. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: CB TREY AMOS, OLE MISS
The Vikings could lose a good chunk of their cornerback room to free agency this March. Amos brings ideal length to the position at 6-foot and 190 pounds with long arms. He forced 14 incompletions this season, tied for the seventh most in the FBS.
29. BUFFALO BILLS: CB JAHDAE BARRON, TEXAS
Barron went from a starting safety to a starting slot defender to a starting outside cornerback over the past three seasons and thrived at all three spots. This year was his most productive. As an off-zone defender, he recorded five interceptions and 10 forced interceptions with a 91.6 PFF coverage grade in 2024.
30. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: EDGE PRINCELY UMANMIELEN, OLE MISS
The Eagles are a tough team to mock for these days due to how well general manager Howie Roseman has built the roster. However, with edge rushers Brandon Graham retiring and Josh Sweat set to hit free agency, perhaps another pass-rusher is in store for them in Round 1. Umanmielen put up great pass-rushing numbers over 2023 and 2024 (two consecutive seasons with a pass-rush win rate above 22%). He has some of the best burst and bend in the class.
31. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: EDGE MIKE GREEN, MARSHALL
Green, even as just a redshirt sophomore, was an absolute stud for the Thundering Herd this season. He earned a 92.0 PFF overall grade, thanks to a 90.1 PFF run-defense grade and a 91.0 PFF pass-rush grade. He is still young as a pass-rusher but has a good bag of moves and an NFL-level first step.
32. DETROIT LIONS: EDGE LANDON JACKSON, ARKANSAS
As we head into the playoffs, Aidan Hutchinson still leads the Lions in sacks (7.5). It’s safe to say they need some pass-rush help this offseason. Jackon is a unique edge rusher because of his 6-foot-7 frame and 275-pound weight. Yet, he has good burst and some intriguing bend for a player with those measurables. I expect the Lions to like his profile.
Colorado
How the Colorado Rockies Are Actually Building Its Opening Day Roster
The Colorado Rockies are seeking the right balance and experimenting under their first full-year manager, Warren Schaeffer.
It’s a different Rockies roster compared to last season. There are new faces on the active roster for the start of the 2026 season. Having a team with youth and a mix of veterans can be a successful formula for the Rockies.
Knowing how the elevation affects things in Colorado, the Rockies will see which pitcher can thrive playing in Coors Field. Anything can happen this season.
The Rockies Must Have A Roster That Can Stay Durable
A Rotation of Veterans
Rockies president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta added several arms over 34, including Michael Lorenzen, Jose Quintana, and Tomoyuki Sugano.
The fifth starter will be a competitive battle. The Rockies have options in who will win that fifth and final spot. Here is the prediction of the Rockies’ starting rotation:
- Kyle Freeland
- Michael Lorenzen
- Ryan Feltner
- Jose Quintana
- Chase Dollander
Ryan Feltner has battled injuries. The 29-year-old suffered back spasms and shoulder injuries, preventing him from performing in 2025. He’s determined to have a breakout season.
He had a lot of momentum in his final 15 starts of the 2024 season. Feltner posted a 2.75 ERA and finished with a career-high 162 1/3 innings. Feltner has been building his weight-room capacity and getting himself ready for the new season. Hopefully, he can stay healthy and produce.
Flexibility on the Infield
The Rockies’ acquisition of Willi Castro was a smart move. We know the Rockies’ future at shortstop is Ezequel Tovar. However, the Rockies organization is being cautious. They want to make sure they have an extra body on hand in case something goes south. Castro is a former All-Star and a versatile defender.
Eduoard Julien is known for playing second base, but he can also play first base if the Rockies need him there. It all depends on many situations and circumstances. Julien is one of the players on the Rockies roster who must prove his worth.
In terms of first base, TJ Rumfield is a front-office option to serve that position. He has the size, length, and youth to play the position. Rumfield is having an impressive start to the spring so far.
Current Roster and Opening Day Prediction Lineup
Ezequiel Tovar, SS
Tyler Freeman, 2B
Mickey Moniak, DH
Hunter Goodman, C
Kyle Karros, 3B
Jordan Beck, RF
Brenton Doyle, CF
Jake McCarthy, LF
TJ Rumfield, 1B
The lineup can change overnight, and especially in the next few weeks. If, for some reason, Freeman can’t okay second base to start the season, then Castro is the leading man to take the spot.
Colorado
Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder dies in single-car crash at age 23, police say
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) – Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder died early Sunday morning in a single-car crash, police said. He was 23.
Ponder was driving a 2023 Tesla when he lost control on a curve and hit a guardrail, according to the Colorado State Patrol. The car struck an electrical line pole and rolled down an embankment.
Ponder was pronounced dead at the scene in Boulder County. Police said a preliminary investigation “shows that speed is suspected as a factor.”
Ponder played in two games for the Buffaloes last season, going 0-for-1 passing and carrying the ball twice for a loss of 4 yards. The 6-foot-5 sophomore from Opa Locka, Florida, began his collegiate career at Bethune-Cookman before transferring.
The Buffs were slated to begin spring practice on Monday.
“God please comfort the Ponder family, friends & Loved ones,” Colorado coach Deion Sanders posted on X. “Dom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader. Let’s pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord you’re receiving a good 1.”
Colorado offensive coordinator Brennan Marion reposted Sanders’ statement and called Ponder a joy to be around and coach.
“Getting that call from his dad today didn’t feel real,” Marion posted. “Love you Dom! God cover his family & our team, especially our qb room!”
Colorado athletic director Fernando Lovo said Ponder “epitomized the values of passion, enthusiasm, leadership, toughness, and intelligence that were revered by his teammates and coaches alike.” The athletic department said it would make counseling resources available to players and staff.
Fellow Colorado quarterback Colton Allen also paid tribute to Ponder on Instagram.
“Dom, you were a blessing to so many people,” Allen wrote. “You had a presence about you that just made everything better. You brought so much joy to me and everyone around you. I’m grateful for every lift, every practice, every rep, every conversation we got to share. I’ll carry those with me for the rest of my life.”
The Big 12 Conference extended its condolences in a post on X.
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and apnews.com/hub/college-football
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Colorado
Colorado lawmakers duel over data centers: Grant millions in tax breaks or regulate them without incentives?
Colorado lawmakers are deciding this year between two disparate approaches on data centers — one that aims to lure them to the Centennial State with millions of dollars in tax incentives and another that would implement some of the strictest statewide regulations in the country on the booming tech industry.
Either of the two competing bills would create the state’s first regulations specific to data centers. Sponsors of both bills say they hope to minimize environmental impacts from the power and water demands of the centers, while also ensuring that the cost of new infrastructure they need doesn’t wind up on residents’ electric bills.
Both bills are sponsored by Democrats but differ widely in what they’d do.
The bill supported by the data center industry — House Bill 1030 — would incentivize companies to comply with regulations in exchange for large tax breaks. The legislation would not regulate data centers whose owners forgo a tax break.
The other bill — Senate Bill 102 — would offer no incentives, instead imposing regulations on all large data center development across the state. It is supported by environmental and community groups.
“We want to make sure that as data centers come here, they come on our terms,” said Megan Kemp, the Colorado policy representative for Earthjustice’s Rocky Mountain office.
The bills have landed as debate over the future of data center regulation intensifies across the state. Data centers house the computer servers that function as the main infrastructure for the digital world. They crunch financial data, store patients’ health information, process online shopping, register sports betting and — increasingly — make possible the heavy data demands of artificial intelligence.
Several companies have begun construction on large data centers across the Front Range in recent years. A 160-megawatt hyperscale facility is under development in Aurora and could consume as much power as 176,000 homes once completed.
The construction of a 60-megawatt data center campus in north Denver has angered those who live by the site and prompted Denver city leaders last week to call for a moratorium on new data center development while they craft regulations for the industry. Larimer County and Logan County have enacted similar moratoriums.
Hundreds gathered Tuesday night at a community meeting about the northern Denver campus owned by CoreSite. Frustration in the crowd — which filled overflow rooms and the front lawn of the building that hosted the meeting — erupted as residents of the neighborhoods surrounding the center expressed concerns about how it would impact their air quality, power and water supplies.
Attendees said they did not know the data center was being built until they saw construction underway.
CoreSite leaders had planned to attend the meeting. But they pulled out of participating the day before because of safety concerns, company spokeswoman Megan Ruszkowski wrote in an email. She did not elaborate on the concerns. A Denver police spokesman said the department did not have any record of a police report filed by CoreSite in the days prior to the meeting.
CoreSite’s absence left officials from the city and utilities to answer the crowd’s questions and field their frustrations. City leaders told attendees that they had no say in whether the data center could be built because there are no city regulations specific to the industry.
“Data centers are proliferating quickly and we don’t know all the impacts,” said Danica Lee, the city’s director of public health investigations. “That’s why we need this moratorium.”
Promises of future regulation meant little to the residents of Elyria-Swansea, where the data center is scheduled to go online this summer. More than an hour into the meeting, a man took the microphone. He noted that so much of the conversation had focused on technicalities — but the information provided had not answered a question on many residents’ minds.
“How do we stop it now?” he asked, to a loud round of applause from the room.
Transformative opportunity?
Some in the state Capitol think more data centers would be beneficial for Colorado.
Supporters of the tax incentive bill in the legislature said luring the industry to Colorado would create high-paying jobs, help pay for electrical grid modernizations and strengthen local tax bases.
“This could be transformative for the state,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, a Denver Democrat who is one of HB-1030’s sponsors.
In exchange for complying with rules, data center companies would be exempted from sales and use taxes for 20 years for purchases related to the data center, like the expensive servers they must replace every few years. After two decades, the companies could apply for an extension to the exemption.
To earn the tax break, data center companies would have to meet requirements that include:
- Breaking ground on the data center within two years.
- Investing at least $250 million into the data center within five years.
- Creating full-time jobs with above-average wages, though the legislation doesn’t specify how many jobs would be required.
- Using a closed-loop water cooling system that minimizes water loss, or a cooling system that does not use water.
- Working to make sure the data center “will not cause unreasonable cost impacts to other utility ratepayers.”
- Consulting with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources about wildlife and water impacts.
While the bill would exempt data centers from sales tax on some purchases, they would still be on the hook for all other taxes, Valdez said, and would bring both temporary and permanent jobs. The bill does not specify how many permanent jobs must be created to qualify for the tax break.
Dozens of other states have enacted tax incentive programs for data centers. Such incentives are a key factor that companies weigh when deciding where to build, said Dan Diorio, the vice president of state policy for the Data Center Coalition, an industry group.
“Colorado is not competitive right now,” he said.
Figuring out the projected impact of the bill on the state’s finances gets complicated.
The legislature’s nonpartisan analysts estimated that the state would miss out on $92.5 million in sales tax revenue in the first three years, assuming a total of 17 data centers would qualify for the tax breaks in that time period.
But Valdez said that is revenue that the state otherwise wouldn’t see if the data centers weren’t built here. And the companies would still pay all other state and local taxes, he said.
“We see it as unrealized revenue, rather than a tax cut,” he said.
Some of that lost tax revenue would be offset by an increase in income taxes paid by low-income families, according to the bill’s fiscal note.
That’s because the projected decrease in sales tax revenue in the first year of the program would decrease the amount of money available for the state to provide its recently enacted Family Affordability Tax Credit. State law ties the amount available for the family tax credit to state revenue growth and whether the state collects money above a revenue cap set by the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. TABOR requires money above that level to be returned to taxpayers.
If the state doesn’t have excess revenue, it can’t fund that tax credit.
In the next fiscal year, which begins in July, data center companies would avoid paying $29 million in sales taxes, which would trigger a change in the family tax credit. Low-income families would be made to pay a total of $106 million more, the fiscal note estimates.
Bill sponsors are planning to address the fallout for the tax credit in forthcoming amendments, Valdez said.
“We’re not out to trigger any negative impacts to low-income families,” he said.

Baseline guardrails
Forgoing tax dollars during a state budget crisis is a hard sell to Rep. Kyle Brown, a Louisville Democrat sponsoring the regulatory bill. He and other supporters of SB-102 aren’t convinced tax incentives are necessary to bring data centers to the state.
Major construction projects are already underway, he said. In Denver, CoreSite chose not to pursue $9 million in tax breaks from the city but continued construction on its facility regardless.
“The point of our policy is (putting) reasonable, baseline guardrails on this development so it can be smart,” Brown said.
Brown last session co-sponsored a failed bill with Valdez that offered tax incentives to data centers. Since then, however, he’s seen other states that offer tax incentives express buyers’ remorse, he said.
Brown pointed to concerns in Virginia about rising electricity costs due to data center demand and a proposal by the governor of Illinois to suspend the state’s tax credit so that the impacts of the data center boom it sparked could be studied.
His bill this session — co-sponsored by Sen. Cathy Kipp, a Fort Collins Democrat — requires that data centers over 30 megawatts:
- Draw as much power as possible from newly sourced renewable energy by 2031.
- Pay for any additions or changes to the grid needed to serve the data center.
- Adhere to local rules about water efficiency.
- Limit the use of backup generators that consume fossil fuels; if such generators are necessary, they must be a certain type that limits emissions.
- Conduct an analysis of the data center’s impacts on local neighborhoods, engage in community outreach and sign a legally binding good-neighbor agreement if the community is disproportionately affected by pollution.
Owners of data centers would also need to report metrics annually to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. They would cover the center’s annual electricity consumption, how much of that power came from renewable sources, the total number of hours backup generators were used and annual water use.
Utilities, too, would face additional requirements.
The legislation would ban utilities from offering discounted rates to large data centers. It also would prohibit them from supplying electricity to a data center if doing so would affect the utility’s ability to provide power to its other customers — or its ability to meet state emissions reduction goals.
Environmental groups supporting the bill say the state needs regulations to make sure the increased electrical demand generated by data centers doesn’t expand the state’s use of fossil fuels or slow the retirement of fossil fuel-powered plants.
If not done thoughtfully, the groups said, the increased electrical load could imperil the state’s climate goals.
“What we need to avoid is a race to attract data centers that turns into a race to the bottom,” said Alana Miller, the Colorado policy director for the Natural Resources Defense Council’s climate and energy program.
If the legislature enacts SB-102, it would implement the strictest data center regulations in the country and would ward off future data center development, Diorio said. He sees many of the rules as unattainable.
“It would make it nearly impossible to develop a data center in the state of Colorado,” he said.
Conversations between the sponsors of the two bills are underway, Valdez and Brown said. Both expressed hope that a consensus could be found between the two pieces of legislation.
Neither bill had been scheduled for a committee hearing.
Stay up-to-date with Colorado Politics by signing up for our weekly newsletter, The Spot.
-
World5 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts5 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Denver, CO5 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Louisiana1 week agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Technology1 week agoYouTube TV billing scam emails are hitting inboxes
-
Politics1 week agoOpenAI didn’t contact police despite employees flagging mass shooter’s concerning chatbot interactions: REPORT
-
Technology1 week agoStellantis is in a crisis of its own making
-
News1 week agoWorld reacts as US top court limits Trump’s tariff powers

