All Entries in the "Environment" Category
Comanche 3, Xcel Energy’s troubled coal plant, likely out of commission for months
Xcel Energy’s coal-fired Comanche Generating Station in Pueblo on Nov. 12, 2024. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post) Xcel Energy’s chronically troubled coal plant Comanche 3, scheduled for retirement by the end of 2030, hasn’t been working since mid-August and could be out of service until next summer. The coal plant in Pueblo County experienced elevated […]
Emergency fish salvage enacted at Two Buttes Reservoir due to water levels
Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced an emergency public fish salvage effective Thursday, Oct. 30, at Two Buttes Reservoir in Baca County. The salvage is being implemented to mitigate imminent fish loss related to declining water levels and the unlikelihood of significant rainfall in the immediate future. (Photo courtesy of Baca County) LAMAR, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife announces an […]
Could drones someday replace Colorado’s “Cowboys of the Sky”? – One crop duster doesn’t think so
EATON, Colo. — A giant canvas bag full of seed hangs from a fork lift on the Crop Air tarmac in Eaton. It’s a mix of sorghum, rye, radishes and turnips, weighing in around 2,000 pounds. The fork lift maneuvers over to a bright, yellow airplane. Neil Wicke jumps up on the wing, takes out a knife, and cuts […]
Water Workshop being held October 28 in Springfield hosted by Southern Plains Land Trust and Ogallala Commons
Southern Plains Land Trust, along with their partner Ogallala Commons, is hosting a water workshop on October 28th in Springfield. Anyone can join! Farmers, ranchers, students, agency personnel, educators, and the interested public are invited to attend a Stewarding Our Water Future Field Day presented by Ogallala Commons (www.ogallalacommons.org) on Tuesday, October 28th from 9:30am-2:00pm […]
Keep Colorado Wild Pass raises $41M for Colorado state parks, search and rescue volunteers, and avalanche safety
DENVER—More than 1.5 million Coloradans opted to buy a Keep Colorado Wild Pass during its second year of being on sale, which generated $41 million to support Colorado state parks, local search and rescue volunteers and the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) set a goal to raise $36 million annually from pass sales. […]
Colorado Parks and Wildlife warns of toxic algae in DeWeese Reservoir – water harmful to people and pets
WESTCLIFFE, Colo. – A growing bloom of toxic blue-green algae at DeWeese Reservoir State Wildlife Area prompted Colorado Parks and Wildlife to warn the public Aug. 19 to avoid contact with the water at that location for the first time this summer. “Algae has become a seasonal problem at DeWeese, forcing CPW to alert the public in […]
Lee fire near Meeker has become the 6th largest wildfire in Colorado history
The Lee fire southwest of Meeker, Colorado in Rio Blanco County has become the sixth largest wildfire in Colorado history, eclipsing the 2012 High Park fire, which burned 87,284 acres west of Fort Collins. The fire grew from over 88,000 acres to over 92,000 acres throughout the day on Saturday, with no containment, state fire […]
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offering free admission to state parks in August for active-duty military, veterans, and National Guard members
To thank U.S. military members for their dedicated service and sacrifices, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is continuing to offer free admission to all Colorado state parks for active-duty military, veterans, and National Guard members during the month of August. Qualifying military members can pick up their free Military Parks Pass, valid for the month of August at any […]
Greenland wildlife crossing – set to be world’s largest – on time, under budget as project hits halfway mark
Rendering of Greenland wildlife crossing on I-25 (image courtesy of CDOT) DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet and leaders with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) on Friday celebrated progress on the Greenland wildlife crossing on Interstate 25 in Douglas County, saying the project is under budget and expected to finish ahead of […]
Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) mobile app displays active fire alerts
DENVER — Ahead of the dry summer season, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) wants to remind the Colorado outdoor community that the Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) mobile app displays active fire alerts, including wildfires and prescribed burns in covered areas. The COTREX app is a free, user-friendly app that provides authoritative trail information across local, state and federal […]
Wildfire destroys a historic Grand Canyon lodge and other structures
These photos provided by National Park Service show the charred remains of a building at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, in northern Arizona, on Sunday, July 13, 2025. (National Park Service via AP) ASSOCIATED PRESS FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A fast-moving wildfire destroyed a historic lodge and dozens of other structures on […]
Watch out for bears while camping, hiking and backpacking in Colorado bear country
DENVER — Colorado is home to a large population of black bears–estimated at 17,000-20,000 animals–and the majority of them live in areas where humans camp, hike, and backpack. This summer, CPW is reminding the public to get wise about bears to avoid conflicts when enjoying our wonderful outdoors. Most conflicts between people and bears can be traced […]
‘Operation Sky Hammer’ funds surge capacity helicopters to fight Colorado wildfires
The U.S. Forest Service is funding a new firefighting team based out of the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, bringing two SkyCrane helicopters to the region. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the project is dubbed “Operation Sky Hammer” and has placed two new SkyCrane helicopters at the base of the Rocky Mountains, pre-positioned to […]
New digital passport coming this summer to celebrate Colorado’s 150th anniversary
This summer, the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) is releasing a digital passport with prizes and discounts across the state. The passport program will celebrate Colorado’s 150th year in the Union and the United States’ 250th anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence, and it will fully roll out in 2026. The new digital passport […]
