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'Rich hippies' versus big oil. Supreme Court hears landmark climate change case

'Rich hippies' versus big oil. Supreme Court hears landmark climate change case

The Supreme Court is deciding if people in Boulder, Colorado, can sue fossil fuel companies for climate change damages.

Senators Hickenlooper and Curtis Secure Passage of Bipartisan Snowpack Monitoring Bill to Combat Western Drought

Senators Hickenlooper and Curtis Secure Passage of Bipartisan Snowpack Monitoring Bill to Combat Western Drought

U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and John Curtis (R-UT) announced the Senate passage of their bipartisan legislation, the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Reauthorization Act. This bill aims to enhance the prediction and measurement of water supply, crucial for managing drought conditions across the Western United States. The region, including Colorado and Utah, is currently experiencing a historic 1,200-year climate-driven drought, which has led to record low snowpack levels in Colorado. The legislation reauthorizes the Bureau of Reclamation’s (BOR) Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program through 2031, ensuring continued funding of $15 million over five years. It also updates existing authorization language to prioritize water supply forecasting activities that support interstate water management decisions. Companion legislation, introduced by Colorado Representatives Joe Neguse and Jeff Hurd, has already passed the House. The bill is supported by a broad coalition of organizations, including Ame...

Senate Passes Bill to Ease Prescribed Burn Regulations Under Clean Air Act

Senate Passes Bill to Ease Prescribed Burn Regulations Under Clean Air Act

The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed legislation aimed at amending the Clean Air Act (CAA) to facilitate prescribed burns, a key tool in preventing larger, uncontrolled wildfires. Under current law, states face administrative burdens in proving that particulate matter pollution from controlled burns qualifies as an 'exceptional event' and does not count towards air quality non-compliance. Senator John Curtis, R-Utah, the bill's lead sponsor, emphasized that prescribed burns are effective in reducing hazardous fuels. The measure requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise regulations, making it easier for states to demonstrate that a prescribed fire is an exceptional event. This legislative push gained momentum after smoke from western U.S. and Canadian wildfires impacted Washington D.C., highlighting the national threat.

Super El Niño Strengthens, Impacting Western Ski Resorts

Super El Niño Strengthens, Impacting Western Ski Resorts

Meteorologists are closely monitoring the development of a Super El Niño, which is predicted to be one of the strongest on record, according to OnTheSnow and NOAA. This weather phenomenon, characterized by sea surface temperature anomalies exceeding +3.0°C in the eastern equatorial Pacific, is expected to influence the upcoming ski season across the western United States. Historically, El Niño winters have favored southern ski resorts in states like California, Colorado, and Utah, but the unpredictability of this event makes long-term forecasts challenging. Previous strong El Niño events have shown mixed impacts on snowfall, with some regions experiencing record-breaking snow while others face warmer and drier conditions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has reported a 90% chance of a very strong El Niño event during the Northern Hemisphere fall and winter of 2026-27, raising questions about its potential effects on ski resorts and mountain snowfall.

Pat McDermott Retires from Colorado Division of Water Resources After Three Decades

Pat McDermott Retires from Colorado Division of Water Resources After Three Decades

Pat McDermott has announced his retirement from the Colorado Division of Water Resources, effective September 30. McDermott, a prominent figure in water engineering, is known for his deep understanding of the Upper Rio Grande Basin and its river systems, including the Rio Grande and Conejos. His retirement was communicated to friends and colleagues via email, where he reflected on his more than three decades of service in the San Luis Valley. McDermott's annual presentations on the conditions of the Upper Rio Grande Basin were a highly anticipated feature of the Southern Rocky Mountain Ag Conference. He moved to the San Luis Valley in 1993, a decision he attributes to a water conference in Gunnison and a conversation with Steve Vandiver, former general manager of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District. Despite his retirement from the Division of Water Resources, McDermott plans to remain in the Valley and continue his involvement in community service, including his role on the Alamosa County Planning C...

Humane Colorado Volunteer Advocates for Pit Bulls, Dispelling Breed Stereotypes

Humane Colorado Volunteer Advocates for Pit Bulls, Dispelling Breed Stereotypes

Steve, a long-time volunteer at Humane Colorado, has dedicated over 1,000 hours to walking dogs, leading to a significant change in his perspective on Pit Bulls. Initially wary due to past breed-specific legislation in Denver, which banned dogs with Pit Bull physical traits for over 30 years, Steve's direct interactions at Humane Colorado have transformed his views. He now describes Pit Bulls, which constitute approximately 18% of the shelter's canine population, as 'the nicest in the world.' His volunteer work often involves walking fearful Pit Bulls or those with reservations about men to boost their adoptability, building trust through consistent interaction. This personal experience aligns with broader policy changes in Colorado, including the 2020 repeal of Denver's Pit Bull Ban and recent legislation prohibiting insurers from denying homeowner's policies based on a dog's breed.

Rep. Lauren Boebert's Fundraising Pitch with Jim Jordan for Colorado Farmers Sparks Online Backlash

Rep. Lauren Boebert's Fundraising Pitch with Jim Jordan for Colorado Farmers Sparks Online Backlash

Representative Lauren Boebert of Colorado recently posted a video featuring House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, urging supporters to donate to her campaign. The video, shared on Saturday, shows Chairman Jordan endorsing Boebert, stating she is a 'fighter' for American values and principles, and encouraging votes to keep her in Congress. Boebert's accompanying message emphasized her fight for farmers, ranchers, small businesses, community water, and against 'socialists.' The post included a link to her campaign donation page. However, this fundraising appeal has generated significant online backlash, with numerous users criticizing both Boebert and Jordan for perceived inaction and a lack of tangible results for the constituents they claim to represent. Critics specifically questioned Jordan's effectiveness beyond television appearances and suggested that politicians frequently ask for money without delivering on promises. The video itself did not depict any farms, water projects, or direct donation activi...

Colorado Designates Frances Xavier Cabrini Day as State Holiday

Colorado Designates Frances Xavier Cabrini Day as State Holiday

Colorado state employees now observe Frances Xavier Cabrini Day on the first Monday of October, a state holiday designated in 2020. Frances Xavier Cabrini, born in Italy in 1850, became a U.S. citizen in 1909 and is recognized for her extensive work in establishing schools, hospitals, and orphanages across the country, including in Colorado. She was canonized as a saint in 1946. Historical records from the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection (CHNC) show that early mentions of her work in Colorado were often under different names or focused on the institutions she founded, such as the Queen of Heaven Orphanage. It wasn't until 1914 that a column in The Rocky Mountain News explicitly paid tribute to 'Mother Cabrini' and her leadership role. Her passing in Chicago in 1917 was reported in Denver, and a memorial was held in Colorado in 1918 with the laying of the cornerstone for the Queen of Heaven Orphanage.

Colorado Bakeries Increase Demand for Local Grains Amidst Rising Food Costs

Colorado Bakeries Increase Demand for Local Grains Amidst Rising Food Costs

Colorado Bakeries Increase Demand for Local Grains Amidst Rising Food Costs

NOAA Shows Where El Niño Could Boost Winter Snow

NOAA Shows Where El Niño Could Boost Winter Snow

A strengthening El Niño could reshape snowfall patterns across the US this winter. NOAA says there is a 75% chance the pattern reaches historic strength from October through December, with odds of a very strong El Niño above 90%. During moderate to strong El Niño winters, parts of the South and higher elevations of the West have historically seen more snow, including areas of California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. Meanwhile, parts of the Pacific Northwest, northern Rockies, Great Lakes and interior New England have tended to see less snow. NOAA cautions that individual storms can vary and no two El Niño winters are identical.

Factbox-Top cases on the US Supreme Court's docket

Factbox-Top cases on the US Supreme Court's docket

Oct 2 (Reuters) - The US Supreme Court is hearing a series of important cases during its new term that begins on Monday involving issues such as President Donald Trump's immigration policies, assault-style rifle bans, Big Oil's financial liability for climate change, Republican-backed voting