Colorado Real Estate Journal - January 7, 2015
Colorado Springs is one of the five most affordable markets in the United States for data centers, according to a recently released research report by CBRE Group Inc. For occupiers leasing a data center, Colorado Springs ranks among the markets with the lowest total project cost. “The winning combination of both the low cost of power and affordable rent per kilowatt make Colorado Springs one of the most attractive data center markets in the U.S. and essentially negate the more moderate tax payment relative to the 23 key markets,” said Brad Bird, director of brokerage services for CBRE’s Colorado Springs office. The report, Leasing a Data Center: U.S. Market Cost Comparison, analyzed a typical 1-megawatt, or 1,000-kilowatt, data center lease over a seven year term across 23 key markets in the U.S. The report evaluated total project costs, including rent, power and taxes. The five least expensive markets were Colorado Springs; Atlanta; northern Virginia; Portland, Oregon; and Seattle. Markets identified as moderate in terms of cost segment were Denver, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Silicon Valley, Southern California and St. Louis. The markets with the highest total project cost are Boston; Chicago; Des Moines, Iowa; Kansas City; northern Florida; northern New Jersey; Omaha, Nebraska; and Philadelphia.