Mountain View
Matt Whittaker
History’s biggest gold deal also drastically boosts Denver miner’s copper holdings
DENVER, Colo.—As companies scramble to secure supplies of minerals that make renewable energy and electric vehicles possible, Denver’s Newmont Corp., the biggest gold mining company in the world, is doubling down on copper.
CO issues more cannabis health advisories in first half of year than in all 2022
LAKEWOOD, Colo.—Colorado marijuana regulators have issued more health and safety advisories in the first half of this year than they did in all of 2022, an added headwind for an industry already struggling amid a sales slump.
Where Denver mayoral candidates stand on banning single-family gas hookups
DENVER—As energy policy becomes increasingly politicized in the United States, building codes have become a battleground in communities like Denver, where voters today will decide between candidates who differ on expanding bans on natural gas appliances.
Colorado's new building code pits energy transition against affordable housing
An electric car charging station with an electric vehicle in the background.Photo byIvan Radic via Flickr. (Denver, Colo.) The Colorado Energy Code Board on Thursday released new building codes requiring new and substantially renovated buildings to include pre-wiring for solar panels, high-efficiency electric appliances and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, a move that worries building advocates concerned about housing affordability.
Denverites snap up latest e-bike vouchers within minutes
A rider on an e-bike.Photo byraymondclarkeimages via Flickr. (Denver, Colo.) Denver’s popular electric bicycle rebate program again sold out within minutes, marking another victory for an incentive program that earned national attention as cities try to reduce carbon emissions.
Polis signs bill prohibiting regulatory discipline for past marijuana convictions
Colorado's capitol building.Photo byBarry Dale Gilfry via Flickr. (Denver, Colo.) Gov. Jared Polis last week signed a bill that bans regulators from denying or revoking professional credentials because of past cannabis use, cementing into law a 2022 executive order that provided similar protections.
Rocky Mountain ski industry sets record as snowy season boosts visits
A skier at Beaver Creek in 2016.Photo byreid.neureiter via Flickr. (Lakewood, Colo.) Rocky Mountain region ski resorts recorded more visits than ever during the 2022-2023 season as a bumper snow year helped lure people to the slopes, contributing to a national visitation record.
Denver adds solar panels to parking lots at four rec centers
Solar panels near Denver International Airport.Photo byDavid Wilson via Flickr. (Denver, Colo.) The city is installing solar panels at four recreation center parking lots as part of a project that will ultimately generate enough electricity to avoid the emissions of 1,000 cars each year.
Feds lease 1000+ Colorado acres to North Carolina solar developer
Entering Saguache County from Gunnison County.Photo byJ. Stephen Conn via Flickr. (Saguache County, Colo.) The Bureau of Land Management leased more than 1,000 acres of federal land in the San Luis Valley for utility-scale solar development, the agency said Friday.
Denver drops from top pot spot amid statewide cannabis slump
Plants grown in a Denver-area grow house tended by licensed medicinal marijuana caregivers.Photo byColeen Danger via Flickr. (Denver, Colo.) The Mile High City slipped to No. 2 in an annual ranking of the best cities in the United States for marijuana, falling behind Portland, Oregon, adding insult to injury in a state that saw its cannabis sales slip roughly 20% last year.
Colorado gains ground in annual environmental survey
Prototype electric vehicles on display in 2012 at at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden.Photo byDennis Schroeder / NREL via Flickr. (Across Colorado) A new report shows Colorado gaining ground in national ranking for eco-friendliness.
Boulder County seeks volunteers for tree, shrub planting
(Boulder County, Colo.) Boulder County Parks and Open Space is looking for volunteers to plant trees and shrubs this month, the county said this week in a newsletter. The county needs volunteers to sow limber pine seeds on one of its mountain properties near Nederland from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 15. Those interested can register here.
Renewable energy, aerospace top agenda for Polis trip to Japan
A rendering of Denver-based Starfire Energy's Rapid Ramp ammonia synthesis system.Photo byCourtesy Starfire Energy. (Denver, Colo.) Ammonia isn’t just a cleaning product. The molecule is also a fuel source that emits no carbon dioxide because it only contains nitrogen and hydrogen atoms. The fuel, which is cheaper to transport and store than pure hydrogen, holds promise for decarbonizing the global shipping industry.
State marijuana officials can now ban, destroy cannabis deemed hazardous
Legal recreational marijuana.Photo byDaniel Canfield (www.youtube.com/danielcanfield) via Flickr. (Denver, Colo.) Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill Thursday giving marijuana enforcement officials authority to ban the sale of and destroy marijuana that presents a risk to public health and safety, aligning the state’s marijuana rules with those that already exist for food products.
Denver-area energy firm starts buying natural gas from Indiana farm
(Lakewood, Colo.) A suburban Denver-area company this week started buying natural gas from a plant on an Indiana farm that produces it from food and agricultural waste. United Green Energy, a subsidiary of Lakewood-based energy marketing and logistics company United Energy Trading, on Wednesday officially began an agreement from a biodigester in Reynolds, Indiana, that uses food waste, cow manure and other agriculture waste to produce electricity, transportation fuel and natural gas.
Justice Dept. says Suncor, Exxon climate case should stay in Colorado court
(Boulder, Colo.) The Biden administration this week sided with Boulder and other local governments in their climate lawsuit against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy, recommending the case should proceed in state court instead of federal.
UPDATE: Colorado earmarks $240k to study pollinators amid pesticide regulation review
(Across Colorado) For Colorado’s food producers, declines in bee populations could really sting. Insect-pollinated crops including squash, pumpkins and melons bring more than $300 million to the state’s economy, and pollinators like bees, butterflies and beetles contribute to the health of the state’s rangelands that support grazing livestock.
Fly fishing film tour in Ouray County to benefit Uncompahgre River
The Uncompahgre River north of Ouray.Photo byAlan Levine via Flickr. (Ridgway, Colo.) Ouray County will host an international fly fishing film tour next week, and the proceeds will benefit the Uncompahgre River.
State, Brighton lure EV battery maker with $6.4M plus in incentives
Amprius Technologies signed a letter of intent for a 775,000-square-foot facility in BrightonPhoto byBusiness Wire. (Brighton, Colo.) Amprius Technologies picked Brighton over sites in Texas and Georgia for a lithium battery factory after the local officials offered the California company more than $6.4 million in incentives.
Matt Whittaker
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Matt Whittaker writes about natural resources industries, including oil and gas, mining, renewable energy, agriculture and cannabis. He's been based in the Denver metro area since 2013. You can follow him on Twitter @mattswhittaker.
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