Douglas County, Colorado leaders are exploring whether small modular nuclear reactors could help power the region's growing AI and data center infrastructure, but the proposal has ignited sharp community pushback over safety concerns and environmental risks. At a recent work session, county commissioners directed staff to investigate the cost of a feasibility study on small modular reactors and microreactors, marking an early but significant step toward potentially bringing nuclear technology to the Denver suburbs.

Why Are Colorado Leaders Suddenly Interested in Nuclear Power?

The timing is no accident. As artificial intelligence systems and data centers consume ever-increasing amounts of electricity, energy planners across the country are turning to nuclear power as a reliable, low-carbon solution. Douglas County, already a growing aerospace hub, sees nuclear energy as a potential economic development opportunity that could attract tech investment and create jobs in the region.

Small modular reactors, or SMRs, generate electricity using the same nuclear fission process as traditional power plants but at a smaller scale. These units can produce up to 300 megawatts of power, while even smaller microreactors can generate up to 20 megawatts. The appeal is straightforward: they promise reliable baseload power without the carbon emissions of fossil fuels, and they're designed to be cheaper and faster to build than conventional nuclear plants.

The county's research memo explicitly notes investment from large technology companies in nuclear energy, reflecting a broader industry trend. Companies like Microsoft, Meta, and others have signed long-term power contracts with nuclear operators to secure the constant, clean electricity their AI operations demand.

What Are Community Members Worried About?

The proposal has generated significant local opposition. Residents fear the health and environmental impacts of hosting a nuclear facility in their suburban community, particularly one that would be in early testing phases. Some worry about radiation exposure, cancer risks, and the possibility that the facility could become a target for cyberattacks.

Others question whether economic development is even a priority for Douglas County, which is already the wealthiest county in Colorado. Community members argue that residents move to the area to raise families in safe, open spaces, not to pursue economic growth at the expense of public health.

"To think that having something so powerful, so detrimental, could be right here in the suburbs," said one Lone Tree resident, expressing concern about proximity to residential areas.

Jessica Johnson, Lone Tree resident

Where Does Small Modular Reactor Technology Stand Today?

It's important to note that no small modular reactors or microreactors are currently operating commercially anywhere in the United States, and Colorado has no operating nuclear reactors at all. This means Douglas County would be exploring a technology that remains largely unproven at commercial scale.

However, progress is accelerating elsewhere. In Kansas, a startup called Deep Fission recently achieved a significant milestone by delivering a prototype reactor canister to an installation site for a proof-of-concept underground small modular reactor system. The company claims its innovative "gravity reactor" design, which places a modular reactor a mile underground and cools it with pressurized water, could slash operational costs by as much as 80 percent compared to conventional nuclear fission reactors.

"The arrival of our prototype reactor canister at the Kansas site is a clear step forward in moving from design to deployed infrastructure," said Mark Pérès, Chief Nuclear Officer of Deep Fission.

Mark Pérès, Chief Nuclear Officer at Deep Fission

How Would a Feasibility Study Help Douglas County Make a Decision?

The county's next step is to commission a feasibility study that would examine several critical factors before any commitment is made. This investigation would focus on key areas including:

• Geographic Suitability: Identifying which locations within Douglas County would be best suited for nuclear generation based on geology, infrastructure, and distance from population centers
• Environmental and Health Impacts: Assessing potential effects on air quality, water resources, soil, and public health outcomes in surrounding communities
• Economic Implications: Evaluating job creation, tax revenue, property values, and broader economic development potential
• Water Demands: Determining how much water the facility would require and whether local water supplies could support operations

The feasibility study represents an information-gathering phase rather than a commitment to build. County commissioners want to understand the technology's viability before making any decisions.

What's Happening in the Broader Nuclear Energy Market?

Douglas County's exploration reflects a national trend. Several companies are positioning themselves to capitalize on the intersection of AI energy demand and nuclear power. NuScale Power, which already holds U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval for its small modular reactor design, is involved in projects like the RoPower plant in Romania and work with the Tennessee Valley Authority. However, the company remains unprofitable and faces funding and supply chain challenges.

Larger energy companies are also making moves. Constellation Energy, a major U.S. power producer with a substantial nuclear fleet, is drawing investor attention because of its long-term contracts with data center operators and tech companies including Microsoft, Meta, and Walmart. The company's earnings rose 27 percent over the past year as these AI-related power contracts expand.

GE Vernova, an energy infrastructure company, is also benefiting from record data center-related orders as companies seek to secure reliable power for AI operations. The company generates revenue from gas, nuclear, hydro, and wind technologies, positioning it to serve the broader energy infrastructure needs of the AI boom.

The Trump administration has supported these developments through Executive Order 14301, which mobilizes resources from the U.S. Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program to accelerate the testing and commercialization of advanced nuclear technologies. However, critics argue that focusing on unproven next-generation technologies may be undermining broader goals to expand nuclear capacity more quickly using proven large-scale reactor designs.

For Douglas County residents, the coming months will determine whether the feasibility study moves forward and what it reveals about the viability and desirability of hosting nuclear technology in their community. The debate reflects a larger tension in American energy policy: the urgent need for clean, reliable power to support AI and digital infrastructure versus local concerns about safety, environmental protection, and quality of life.