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Cherry Creek State Park Boat Ramp Closure Due to Drought Affects Boating Season

Cherry Creek State Park Boat Ramp Closure Due to Drought Affects Boating Season

Cherry Creek State Park in Arapahoe County, Colorado, is set to close its boat ramp on August 16 due to declining water levels caused by ongoing drought conditions. This decision, announced by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Cherry Creek State Park officials, marks an early end to the boating season, which typically extends from mid-April to early October. The closure has sparked reactions from park visitors, including long-time attendees like Donn Botzum, who expressed disappointment over the shortened season. The drought has forced some visitors to consider selling their watercraft due to limited access to suitable boating locations.
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Lake Mead Reaches Historic Low, Raising Concerns Over Water Supply

Lake Mead Reaches Historic Low, Raising Concerns Over Water Supply

Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, has reached a new historic low, falling to 1,040.5 feet above sea level. This marks the lowest level since the reservoir was first filled in the 1930s. The reservoir, located behind the Hoover Dam on the Arizona-Nevada border, is a critical water source for the Southwest, supplying drinking water to over 20 million people. The decline in water levels is attributed to below-average snowmelt runoff from the Rocky Mountains and a decision to retain more water in Lake Powell to protect its levels during a dry year. This has resulted in less water flowing into Lake Mead, exacerbating its decline.
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Colorado Voters to Decide on 'Right to Natural Gas' Constitutional Amendment

Colorado Voters to Decide on 'Right to Natural Gas' Constitutional Amendment

Colorado voters will decide in November whether to amend the state constitution to include a 'right to natural gas.' Initiative 177, which has qualified for the ballot, seeks to prevent state and local bans on natural gas sales and use. The measure would ensure consumers' rights to purchase natural gas for residential and commercial purposes and allow distributors to sell it. The initiative requires 55% voter approval to pass. It is backed by Advance Colorado, a conservative nonprofit, and is one of several measures on the upcoming ballot.
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Dinosaur Fossils Still Accessible at Key US Sites for Enthusiasts and Researchers

Dinosaur Fossils Still Accessible at Key US Sites for Enthusiasts and Researchers

Dinosaur Fossils Still Accessible at Key US Sites for Enthusiasts and Researchers
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Ski Resorts in Colorado Expand Summer Activities Amid Shorter Snow Seasons

Ski Resorts in Colorado Expand Summer Activities Amid Shorter Snow Seasons

Ski Resorts in Colorado Expand Summer Activities Amid Shorter Snow Seasons
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Global Study Reveals Butterfly Range Shifts Due to Climate Change

Global Study Reveals Butterfly Range Shifts Due to Climate Change

A comprehensive global analysis has revealed that 80% of 1,758 butterfly species have expanded their ranges, with 79% of these shifts linked to climate change and extreme weather events. The study, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, highlights that while many species are expanding, 27% have experienced range contractions, and 22% have shifted in elevation. The research, led by institutions including Monash University and the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research, underscores the significant impact of climate change on butterfly populations worldwide.
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Arizona Considers Ending Funding for Colorado River Cloud Seeding Amid Water Dispute

Arizona Considers Ending Funding for Colorado River Cloud Seeding Amid Water Dispute

Amid ongoing disputes over Colorado River water allocations, Arizona's Central Arizona Project (CAP) is reconsidering its funding for a cloud seeding program aimed at increasing snowfall in the Rocky Mountains. This program, which has been in place since 2007, involves releasing particles into the air to enhance snow accumulation in critical watersheds. The CAP board is debating whether to continue funding the initiative, as tensions rise between the Upper Basin states (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico) and the Lower Basin states (Arizona, California, Nevada) over water rights. The federal government has proposed significant water use reductions for the Lower Basin states, intensifying the debate.
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Exceptional Drought Intensifies Across Colorado, Denver Hits Record Levels

Exceptional Drought Intensifies Across Colorado, Denver Hits Record Levels

Colorado is experiencing a significant escalation in drought conditions, with nearly half of the state now classified under extreme or exceptional drought—the two most severe categories on the U.S. Drought Monitor. Exceptional drought alone covers 13.5% of the state. Denver County has reached historic levels, with 36.4% of the area under exceptional drought and the remainder in extreme drought. This marks Denver's worst drought reading since records began in 2000, surpassing its previous record by over 22 times. While this is not Colorado's worst statewide drought historically, the intensification and spread of drought conditions are concerning.
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A UCLA professor faced funding cuts. His solution? Marmot OnlyFans

A UCLA professor faced funding cuts. His solution? Marmot OnlyFans

A UCLA professor started a PG OnlyFans for marmots to raise money for his research.
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American Crocodiles Thrive in Florida Nuclear Plant Canals

American Crocodiles Thrive in Florida Nuclear Plant Canals

American crocodiles have found an unlikely habitat in the canals surrounding the Turkey Point nuclear power plant in Florida. These artificial waterways, originally constructed for industrial purposes, have become a crucial refuge for the species, which was once on the brink of extinction in the United States. The canals provide a safe nesting ground away from the coast, where rising sea levels pose a threat to crocodile eggs. Wildlife specialists have been managing the habitat since 1978, ensuring that the crocodiles have suitable nesting sites and monitoring the population. In 2019, the program tagged approximately 7,000 hatchlings, highlighting the success of this conservation effort.
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Colorado Wolf Attacks on Livestock Reach Record Levels Amid Mitigation Efforts

Colorado Wolf Attacks on Livestock Reach Record Levels Amid Mitigation Efforts

Colorado is experiencing a record pace of wolf attacks on livestock, with 30 confirmed depredations this year, including 13 in July alone. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has increased its range rider program and implemented non-lethal measures to mitigate these conflicts. Despite these efforts, the state faces challenges in managing wolf-livestock interactions, particularly as wolves are reintroduced and their populations grow. The agency's efforts include site assessments, hazing permits, and carcass removal to support affected ranchers.
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Supreme Court to Decide on State-Law Claims Against Fossil Fuel Companies

Supreme Court to Decide on State-Law Claims Against Fossil Fuel Companies

The Supreme Court is set to hear a case involving a Colorado county seeking damages from major oil and gas companies. The county alleges that these companies' production, marketing, and promotion of fossil fuels have contributed to climate-related harms while misleading the public about the associated risks. The justices will consider whether federal law precludes these state-law claims, which seek relief for injuries arising from interstate and international greenhouse gas emissions. The outcome could determine if state and local governments can pursue similar lawsuits under state law. This case is part of a broader trend of climate liability lawsuits against major fossil fuel companies, with over two dozen such cases currently pending.