Colorado faces the largest increase in homes and businesses threatened by wildfire of any state in the nation with nearly 1 million properties — two-fifths of all those in the state — already facing some risk, according to a new analysis. The First Street Foundation wildfire risk modeling ranked Colorado No. 7 in the country […]
Growth
Posted inClimate, Environment, Growth, News, Water
Aurora may ban sprawling lawns, new golf courses to save water. Other Denver-area cities could follow.
The climate-conscious, first-in-Colorado edicts proposed by the City of Aurora are clear: No new golf courses flooding grass with precious water. No grass in medians or decorative spots near offices. No home lawns sprawling out front and back — turf in backyards would max out at 750 square feet. But get ready, metropolitan water users […]
Posted inGrowth, News, Outsider
Colorado mountain towns feel more crowded than ever. But census data shows the population has barely changed.
Mick Ireland knows Pitkin County’s streets. The former Aspen mayor and 30-year politico has knocked on thousands of his neighbors’ doors over the years, promoting candidates and ballot issues as well as helping to register voters. So when the 2020 census report showed entire blocks in Pitkin County — not city blocks but the small […]
Posted inClimate, Environment, Growth, News, Transportation
A lane expansion to unclog I-25 through downtown Denver is not on the table — for now
Highway officials have given up on expanding lanes to unclog I-25 through central Denver in coming years, saying there’s no money for it, acknowledging a reality that environmental and neighborhood justice groups had been pushing them to recognize. State and regional officials will instead focus on moving rail lines from next to the highway at […]
Posted inWater
Drought, climate change push Eagle County to rebuild a scuttled dam, as growth brings water needs
A plan to revive Bolts Lake in Minturn could provide an additional 1,200 acre-feet of water storage
Posted inNews
“An incredible frustration”: Boulder County fire officials have long sought better wildfire escape routes
Fire chief Michael Schmitt is bumping down an unpaved road west of Boulder, barely wide enough for his SUV. He’s headed toward the dead end of County Road 83, where — behind a metal gate, behind tree trunks blackened in the Fourmile Canyon fire — a narrow dirt road is cut into the mountainside. If […]
Posted inClimate, Environment, Growth, Housing, News, Water
Douglas County needs to find new water sources as its population grows by 25 people every day
On an average day, 25 people move to Douglas County. Each one needs to drink, shower, water their lawn and wash their dishes. The full impact of that growth is difficult to see, but it’s easy to understand: More people need more water. And in a county where thousands of homes rely on a limited […]
Posted inOutdoors
Colorado parks are full and getting fuller. How will the state decide who gets in, and who gets hurt?
Lake Pueblo hosted 3.4 million last year. Jeffco Open Space estimated 7 million users in 2021. That’s right. 7 million. But efforts to control crowds raise questions of equity and access.
Posted inEnvironment, Growth, News, Outdoors
Eldorado Canyon may become Colorado’s first state park with timed entry
People traveling to Eldorado Canyon State Park by car will need a timed-entry ticket on summer weekends if the parks commission approves a recommendation this week, in a first-ever attempt by the state to handle soaring use across Colorado open spaces. Online reservations would be free under the proposal, but would limit car visits to […]
Posted inGrowth
A once-small Colorado mining town is going through a growth spurt. Can the water supply keep up?
Increased prices and scarcity of supply led Firestone to pursue a cheaper water alternative