Miguel Otárola | Colorado Public Radio

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Miguel Otárola

Climate / Environment Reporter

miguel.otarola@cpr.org

Miguel Otárola is a climate and environment reporter at CPR News.

Professional Background: Miguel joined CPR in 2021 after covering Minneapolis and its suburbs as a reporter for the Star Tribune. Before that, he began his journalism career interning at newspapers across the country, including the Arizona Republic, Seattle Times and Boston Globe. Miguel was also a host of a music show at KFAI 90.3 FM, a community radio station in Minneapolis.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s degree in mass communications from Arizona State University.

Environment
Promised reviews of sage grouse protections, oil and gas policies could impact Colorado’s public lands
On his first day in office, President Biden promised to review the Trump administration’s policies around habitat for the greater sage grouse, and to look into the handling of onshore oil and gas leasing. Those efforts are now underway.
By Miguel Otárola
Energy
Xcel has reached a deal to close its controversial coal-fired power plant in Pueblo, cutting emissions
Xcel Energy has struck a deal to close Colorado’s largest coal-fired power plant before 2035, a move that could slash the utility’s carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 90 percent this decade.
By Miguel Otárola and Sam Brasch
Energy
Infrastructure bill could double funding to keep abandoned Colorado coal mines from collapsing and put out underground fires
"This is a game-changer."
By Miguel Otárola
Environment
Kruger Rock fire ignites near Estes Park, forcing evacuations
U.S. 36 between Lyons and Estes Park has been closed. The cause of the fire is unknown.
By Paolo Zialcita, Miguel Otárola, and Joe Wertz
Environment
Colorado is really falling short of recycling and composting goals, new report says
Less than a fifth of all cities and towns in Colorado have automatic curbside recycling programs — including Aurora, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Grand Junction.
By Miguel Otárola
Climate Change
Back from UN climate conference, Neguse and Hickenlooper talk up environmental and economic benefits of Biden agenda
Nearly 200 countries were still negotiating a global climate accord after the official end of the conference.
By Miguel Otárola
Environment
Colorado researchers say N95 masks can also protect against wildfire smoke. The other kinds? Not so much
Cloth masks especially don't offer much protection against wildfire smoke.
By Miguel Otárola
Environment
Oil company that contaminated soil, groundwater near Frederick school could have $2 million fine reduced
The oil and gas company has agreed to remediate several violations in exchange for a lower fine, but could still be charged the original fine if it doesn't fully comply with it's agreement with Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
By Miguel Otárola
Energy
Pueblo is preparing for a future without coal. Its residents have thoughts on how and when to do it.
Xcel Energy plans to stop burning coal in the city and close the Comanche Generating Station, the state’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, by 2040.
By Miguel Otárola
Energy
Winter is coming, and so are the utility bill hikes for natural gas customers
A global spike in natural gas prices could result in costly bills for people who use gas to heat their homes.
By Miguel Otárola
Environment
A year after the Cal-Wood wildfire, land managers ask: What should a healthy forest look like?
While proactive forest thinning and savvy firefighting kept the fire away from buildings, it still covered 600 acres of forest at Cal-Wood, and more than 10,000 acres in Boulder County — the largest ever recorded there.
By Miguel Otárola
Environment
Sweetwater Lake is Colorado’s newest state park
The former ranch in Garfield County at times almost became home to a lakeside hotel and used for bottled water instead.
By Miguel Otárola
Climate Change
Nuclear power is the best way to replace the Pueblo coal plant within this decade, county tells state regulators
The Comanche Generating Station is the state’s largest power plant — and its largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions.
By Miguel Otárola
Energy
Colorado’s newest solar project launches, will provide almost all of the power for Pueblo’s steel mill
The official launch of a massive solar array that will power the steel mill in Pueblo was held Wednesday on top of a hill with a view that framed the array, mill and power station connecting the two.
By Miguel Otárola
Environment
Colorado’s top air quality regulator reassigned after state investigation finds potential conflicts of interest
Colorado’s top air regulator has been reassigned to a new position after a state-backed investigation found potential conflicts of interest with a mining company seeking an air pollution permit.
By Sam Brasch and Miguel Otárola
Climate Change
Last month was the hottest September on record for San Juan Mountains, San Luis Valley
Statewide, it was the third-warmest September in Colorado’s history, tying with September 1998.
By Miguel Otárola