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Aspen Journalism
The outliers in urban residential landscaping: Why these homeowners tore out their turf
Heather Brubaker had a sprawling yard of Kentucky bluegrass at her home in Longmont. Mowing the turf took her more than two hours. During summer, her monthly water bill jumped to $400. To what good purpose, she asked herself. “It’s not really doing anything for anybody. And the grass is...
Data dashboard: Summer occupancy was lower this year than in the past couple of years
Aspen Journalism is compiling a data dashboard highlighting metrics of local public interest, updated weekly. Paid occupancy in Aspen reached 48.8% in October, down from 51% last year. Snowmass recorded 25% paid occupancy, down from 2022’s 30.8%, according to the October 2023 occupancy report for Aspen and Snowmass lodges, compiled by local tourism officials and reservations tracking firm Destimetrics. October occupancy reached 37.5% for the two towns combined this year, down from 41.4% last year.
How bluegrass lawns became the default for homeowners associations
This story, a collaboration of Big Pivots and Aspen Journalism, is part of a series that examines the intersection of water and urban landscapes in Colorado. Between 50% and 60% of Coloradans live in housing governed by homeowners associations, commonly called HOAs. Squeezing water devoted to urban landscapes must necessarily involve these neighborhoods.
Data dashboard: Streams are flowing faster than last week
Aspen Journalism is compiling a data dashboard highlighting metrics of local public interest, updated weekly. Transbasin diversion resumed around Oct. 28 and shut down on Nov. 4 before starting again on Nov. 5. At Stillwater, located upstream of Aspen, the Roaring Fork River ran at 17.6 cfs on Nov. 19,...
At Colorado River’s headwaters, questions about whether there’s enough water for lawns
This story, a collaboration of Big Pivots and Aspen Journalism, is part of a series that examines the intersection of water and urban landscapes in Colorado. If you’ve ever slipped and spun your way across Vail Pass through a wet, heavy snowstorm, you can be excused for wondering how Eagle River Valley communities could ever have too little water.
Data dashboard: Local streams are slowing down
Aspen Journalism is compiling a data dashboard highlighting metrics of local public interest, updated weekly. Transbasin diversion resumed around Oct. 28 and shut down on Nov. 4 before starting again on Nov. 5. At Stillwater, located upstream of Aspen, the Roaring Fork River ran at 15.7 cfs on Nov. 12,...
Colorado squeezing water from urban landscapes
This story, a collaboration of Big Pivots and Aspen Journalism, is the first of a five-part series that examines the intersection of water and urban landscapes in Colorado. Like weekly haircuts for men, a regularly mowed lawn of Kentucky bluegrass was long a prerequisite for civic respectability in Colorado’s towns and cities. That expectation has begun shifting.
EPA report says Lincoln Creek contamination is naturally occurring
The results of water quality testing on Lincoln Creek show that the waterway is toxic to fish and that metals concentrations have been increasing in recent years. But because the main source of the contamination is a nearby tributary — and not a mine — it is unclear who should take responsibility for cleaning it up.
Data dashboard: ASE records below-freezing temperatures
Aspen Journalism is compiling a data dashboard highlighting metrics of local public interest, updated weekly. Streamflows remain relatively unchanged from last week. Transbasin diversion resumed around Oct. 28 and shut down on Nov. 4 before starting again on Nov. 5. At Stillwater, located upstream of Aspen, the Roaring Fork River...
State lawmakers move to ban nonfunctional turf planting
State lawmakers are advancing a bill that would prohibit the planting of new nonfunctional turf. If the bill passes next year, it would prohibit local and state governments and unit owners associations from allowing the planting nonfunctional turf or nonnative plants, or installing artificial turf in commercial, institutional or industrial properties, beginning in 2025. Although new bluegrass could still be planted around homes, homeowners associations and others would be prohibited from planting such grass for ornamental purposes in medians or areas fronting streets, sidewalks or driveways. The bill is not intended to be retroactive and would not affect already existing nonfunctional turf.
Tension between lethal control and coexistence plays out in wolf-reintroduction efforts
Editor’s note: This is the second installment of a two-part series on wolf reintroduction. To read part one, click here. As the final steps fall into place before wolves are officially reintroduced to Colorado, policies governing both lethal take in response to livestock depredation and how to foster coexistence with the apex predator have been a flashpoint among livestock growers, conservationists and lawmakers.
Data dashboard: Air temperatures are dropping
Aspen Journalism is compiling a data dashboard highlighting metrics of local public interest, updated weekly. Transbasin diversion resumed around Oct. 28. At Stillwater, located upstream of Aspen, the Roaring Fork River ran at 21.4 cfs on Oct. 29, or 59.4% of average, up from last week when the river ran at 20.3 cfs and 53.4% of average.
Perceptions vary as Colorado prepares for wolf reintroduction
Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-part series from Aspen Journalism about wolf reintroduction. Tony Prendergast’s XK Bar Ranch sits slightly south of Crawford, Colorado, near the Smith Fork of the North Fork of the Gunnison River on the southern edge of the agriculturally rich North Fork Valley. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison lies to the southwest. The 260-acre ranch butts up against the West Elk Mountains, four miles east of the West Elk Wilderness, almost smack-dab in the middle of where gray wolves could be released this winter.
Weighing options for protecting the Crystal
In Colorado, there are several ways to protect rivers, which vary depending on the goals. To maintain water quality, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment offers an Outstanding Waters designation. If boosting the flows for boating is the goal, municipalities can get a Recreational In-Channel Diversion (RICD) water right. And to protect the environment, the state water board acquires instream-flow water rights, designed to maintain minimum flows.
Data dashboard: Above-average air temperatures recorded at ASE
Aspen Journalism is compiling a data dashboard highlighting metrics of local public interest, updated weekly. Transbasin diversion stopped on Oct. 21 after resuming around Oct. 12. At Stillwater, located upstream of Aspen, the Roaring Fork River ran at 20.3 cfs on Oct. 22, or 53.4% of average, down from last...
New head of state water board talks conservation programs with River District
The newly appointed director of the state water board visited the Colorado River Water Conservation District in Glenwood Springs this week, and their conversation focused on a topic that has long been a concern for the district: temporary, voluntary and compensated water conservation programs. Lauren Ris, who took over as...
Data dashboard: High air temperatures dropped close to freezing point in Aspen
Aspen Journalism is compiling a data dashboard highlighting metrics of local public interest, updated weekly. Upper Roaring Fork’s streamflow shows down as transbasin diversions resumes. Transbasin diversion resumed around Oct. 12 slowing down streamflow in the upper stretches of the Roaring Fork River. At Stillwater, located upstream of Aspen,...
Plan to donate Castle Creek land for school, hospital housing project faces hurdles
Well-informed citizens are good for the environment. Ongoing talks about transforming 8 undeveloped acres into an employee housing community for Aspen’s public schools and hospital have generated enthusiastic reactions from employers, a note of caution from county zoning officials, and mixed signals of apprehension and cooperation from a billionaire couple who reside in the subdivision being eyed for the development.
With 99% of cases finalized, Pitkin County property values increase 72% with reappraisal
Well-informed citizens are good for the environment. Pitkin County commissioners, sitting as the Board of Equalization on Wednesday, approved the updated property valuations after more than 4,700 protests were filed in the spring. The cumulative value of all Pitkin County properties reached $74 billion before the hearing process was conducted...
Data dashboard: Roaring Fork River is running faster than last week
Well-informed citizens are good for the environment. Aspen Journalism is compiling a data dashboard highlighting metrics of local public interest, updated weekly. At Stillwater, located upstream of Aspen, the Roaring Fork River ran at 33.6 cfs on Oct. 9, or 78.1% of average, up from last week when the river ran at 32.2 cfs and 71.6% of average.
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Aspen Journalism is a local, nonprofit and investigative journalism organization in Aspen, Colorado. Our mission is to produce excellent journalism, as well-informed citizens make better decisions and journalism is key to a functioning democracy.
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