For dozens of Colorado cities, honoring America’s 246th birthday means celebrating with a bang. But given the state’s increased fire risk, declining air and water quality and mental health concerns, should taxpayers really keep footing the bill for risky fireworks? At least eight Colorado cities have determined the risk is too high and have already […]
fireworks
Posted inClimate, Environment, News, Wildfire
“Fireworks right now are a terrible idea”: Drought woes in the dry West stoke July 4 fire fears
By Lindsay Whitehurst, The Associated Press Many Americans aching for normalcy as pandemic restrictions end are looking forward to traditional Fourth of July fireworks. But with a historic drought in the U.S. West and fears of another devastating wildfire season, officials are canceling displays, passing bans on setting off fireworks or begging for caution. Fireworks […]
Posted inNews, Opinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: 150 fire scientists urge the U.S. West to skip the fireworks this record-dry 4th of July
By Philip Higuera and Alexander L. Metcalf, The University of MontanaDave McWethy, Montana State Universityand Jennifer Balch, University of Colorado The heat wave hitting the northwestern U.S. and Canada has been shattering records, with temperatures 30 degrees Fahrenheit or more above normal. With drought already gripping the West, the intense heat has helped suck even […]
Posted inCartoons, Opinion
Drew Litton: Summertime in Denver, and the livin’ is…loud
More cartoons from The Colorado Sun.
Posted inCulture, Environment, Opinion Columns, Politics and Government
Opinion: National parks – even Mount Rushmore – show there’s more than one kind of patriotism
July 4th will be quieter than usual this year, thanks to COVID-19. Many U.S. cities are canceling fireworks displays to avoid drawing large crowds that could promote the spread of coronavirus. But President Trump is planning to stage a celebration at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota on July 3. It’s easy to see why an […]