Bruce Finley

The record-breaking forest fires burning in Colorado even as winter sets in are the latest sign climate change is hitting the West hard, causing scientists to up their rhetoric and warn it is past time to move beyond planning and start aggressively acting.

As Colorado wildfires burn, fears that climate change is causing “multi-level emergency” mount

October 25, 2020 at 6:00 a.m.

The record-breaking forest fires burning in Colorado even as winter sets in are the latest sign climate change is hitting the West hard, causing scientists to up their rhetoric and...

Proposition 114 would require the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to create a plan to reintroduce and manage gray wolves -- an endangered species -- on designated lands west of the Continental Divide by the end of 2023.

What’s Colorado Proposition 114: Reintroducing gray wolves

October 7, 2020 at 4:02 p.m.

Proposition 114 would require the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to create a plan to reintroduce and manage gray wolves -- an endangered species -- on designated lands west of...

How to adapt to a hotter, drier world is emerging as a do-or-die mission for people living around the arid West.

As San Luis Valley’s water squeeze intensifies, Gov. Jared Polis mulls climate warming adaptation

August 30, 2020 at 6:00 a.m.

How to adapt to a hotter, drier world is emerging as a do-or-die mission for people living around the arid West.

Air quality in Denver has deteriorated as residents are barraged with infusions of multiple lung-irritating pollutants -- including ozone, which has spiked in recent days to levels 28% above federal health limits.

Wildfire haze, record heat and pollution combine to make Front Range air quality dangerous for all

August 25, 2020 at 7:37 a.m.

Air quality in Denver has deteriorated as residents are barraged with infusions of multiple lung-irritating pollutants -- including ozone, which has spiked in recent days to levels 28% above federal...

Climate scientists emphasized that average temperatures will continue to increase for decades due to humans burning so many fossil fuels -- coal, gas and oil -- in the past. That means impacts including wildfires, aridity, depleted streams and rivers -- with some variability -- likely will intensify.

Climate change hits home in Colorado with raging wildfires, shrinking water flows and record heat

August 19, 2020 at 6:00 a.m.

Climate scientists emphasized that average temperatures will continue to increase for decades due to humans burning so many fossil fuels -- coal, gas and oil -- in the past. That...

Hours before a community meeting to mull the best use of money from Suncor Energy's $9 million legal settlement for air pollution problems at its oil refinery north of Denver, a boiler inside the refinery failed Thursday, leading to flaring and elevated emissions that prompted an emergency response.

Suncor boiler fails, causing spike in air pollution at Commerce City oil refinery

August 13, 2020 at 7:14 p.m.

Hours before a community meeting to mull the best use of money from Suncor Energy's $9 million legal settlement for air pollution problems at its oil refinery north of Denver,...

On Thursday, federal officials designated 100% of the state abnormally dry or in drought for the first time in eight years -- "extreme" or "severe" in many areas — consistent with a broader transformation of the Southwest amid climate warming.

For first time in 8 years, 100% of Colorado is under drought or abnormally dry conditions

August 7, 2020 at 6:00 a.m.

On Thursday, federal officials designated 100% of the state abnormally dry or in drought for the first time in eight years -- "extreme" or "severe" in many areas — consistent...

Governor Jared Polis extended COVID-19 pandemic relief orders for another month Sunday in an effort to ease pressure on residents struggling to pay rent and utilities bills and receive unemployment insurance payments.

Polis extends COVID-19 relief orders, granting Colorado residents some flexibility in paying rent

July 13, 2020 at 3:51 p.m.

Governor Jared Polis extended COVID-19 pandemic relief orders for another month Sunday in an effort to ease pressure on residents struggling to pay rent and utilities bills and receive unemployment...

New research finds plastics pollution is spiraling, spreading thousands of miles in wind as well as through rainwater, with the heaviest deposits of inhalable particles measured at high-elevation Colorado sites such as Rocky Mountain National Park.

Carried by wind and rain, plastics pollution is contaminating Rocky Mountain National Park and other western wildernesses

June 11, 2020 at 12:00 p.m.

New research finds plastics pollution is spiraling, spreading thousands of miles in wind as well as through rainwater, with the heaviest deposits of inhalable particles measured at high-elevation Colorado sites...

Colorado senators are leading a congressional push to pass landmark conservation legislation that would deploy $9.5 billion to maintain overrun national parks and permanently direct $900 million a year for outdoor recreation on public lands.

With Cory Gardner leading the charge, Senate takes up Great American Outdoors Act

June 9, 2020 at 5:36 p.m.

Colorado senators are leading a congressional push to pass landmark conservation legislation that would deploy $9.5 billion to maintain overrun national parks and permanently direct $900 million a year for...

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