Environment

A selection of published work related to agriculture, climate change and environmental justice

**How a small airport in rural Colorado became a landing pad for the rich**

Private-jet traffic at the Rifle Garfield county airport, a public-use airport located three hours west of Denver, has increased by nearly 73% over the last five years. The boom is part of a national trend, partially driven by wealthy travelers ditching commercial flights for private ones in hopes of dodging Covid restrictions, airport crowds and travel delays. And local residents say they are bearing the brunt of the noise and environmental impacts.
*The Guardian, 11/4/23*

A tiny garden in Boulder is showing signs of stress from smog. The scientist behind it is thrilled.

Four types of plants growing near the entrance to NCAR are part of a nationwide network of gardens where citizen scientists and climate researchers collect data about the impact of ground-level ozone
Colorado Sun, 8/12/19

After decades of negotiations, restoration efforts on Colorado’s heavily diverted Fraser River are showing signs of success

For decades, the Fraser River has struggled with low flows, rising stream temperatures, sediment build-up, plummeting fish populations and degrading aquatic habitats due in large part to Front Range water diversions that drain 65% of the river.
*Colorado Sun 11/13/19*

More Environment Clips

Featured

In communities near some Colorado airports, concerns persist over leaded aviation fuel

Aviation fuel, also commonly called “avgas,” is the only transportation fuel in the U.S. to contain lead, the metal that acts as a neurotoxin and has been tied to lowered IQ, learning disabilities and behavioral problems in children. Today, leaded aviation fuel is one of the largest remaining sources of airborne lead, accounting for 70% of it as of 2017, according to EPA.

Collective Colorado 8/24/23

Restoration practitioners mimic beaver to revive Colorado streams

With many of Colorado’s riparian areas at risk, researchers and watershed managers are turning to nature’s master river engineer for help.

Headwaters Magazine 7/17/23

These Colorado programs are helping beginning farmers overcome monumental challenges

The programs are especially critical given that farmers in the U.S. are aging faster than young farmers are getting in line to take their place, with approximately one-third of the 3.4 million American farmers beinng over the age of 65.

Collective Colorado 9/6/22

Sowing Seeds of Change: Farmworkers fight for clean air in a changing climate

Scientists are studying how exposures to pollutants are impacting farmworkers’ health and well-being in the Central Valley of California, the High Plains of Colorado, and the agricultural communities of Florida and Kansas. The goal? To improve conditions for farmworkers who face a disproportionate share of the health burdens that come with safeguarding the U.S food supply.

Impact Magazine 4/1/22

Controversy over Denver Water’s Gross Reservoir expansion offers a glimpse into water woes in the West

Raising the 55-year-old dam near Boulder is essential to keep a stable water supply in a changing climate, the utility says. Residents insist conservation could be just as effective.

The Colorado Sun 7/10/19

Agriculture is part of the climate change problem. Colorado wants farmers’ soil to be part of the solution.

With more statewide support, farmers and ranchers hope to boost the health of Colorado’s agricultural lands and conserve water while also meeting business goals.

Colorado Sun, 7/1/19

There’s a push to increase fines for Colorado polluters and directly help impacted communities

Last year, Colorado legislators pushed for stricter environmental protection. This year, they want everyone to benefit from the solutions.

Colorado Sun, 2/21/20

Millions in oil, gas taxes may have been lost because Colorado regulators didn’t enforce reporting rules

The audit report estimates that if the COGCC imposed the maximum fine of $200 per day, per well, the state could have collected more than $308 million in penalties.

Colorado Sun, 1/29/2020

Colorado lawmakers wanted to tackle the state’s PFAS problem. They are taking more of a baby step.

Colorado lawmakers hoped this year to accelerate regulation of a group of man-made chemicals called per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are often used in firefighting foam and have contaminated drinking water in communities across the state. But the bipartisan bill was stripped of its most comprehensive elements during its first hearing.

Colorado Sun 3/10/20