How to mine your backyard for underground heat — and why it might get cheaper in Colorado
Geothermal heat pumps, also known as ground-source heat pumps, take advantage of the Earth’s constant temperature to heat and cool homes.
Exploring geothermal energy’s potential in Colorado
An energy source that’s on the ground floor now, so to speak, could become entrenched. Geothermal relies on heat from rock and water beneath the Earth’s surface. For months, CPR’s climate solutions team — Ishan Thakore and Sam Brasch — have visited geothermal hotspots in the state, places that have entrepreneurs and politicians rallying behind them. They joined Ryan Warner to talk about where it’s already being used and the debate about what’s next.
Gov. Polis’ plan to accelerate Colorado’s clean energy transition won’t reach the legislature this year
After pushback from business groups and utilities, the governor no longer expects lawmakers will introduce the bill before the end of the legislative session.
A renewable energy project boils over near Colorado hot springs
A quirky pair of entrepreneurs want to make electricity using hot water from a mile underground.
Hot springs at risk? A plan for Colorado’s first geothermal power plant runs into heated opposition
A proposal seeks to generate carbon-free electricity near Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Report. Many locals say there are better places to put Colorado’s first geothermal power plant.
Why CPR’s climate team reported a series of stories about geothermal energy
Our reporting confirms that geothermal could help the state’s efforts to fight climate change. At the same time, the bipartisan enthusiasm for the industry doesn’t always capture local concerns about a new type of drilling bonanza.
Kathleen Sgamma withdraws nomination to lead BLM
The Denver-based oil and gas advocate did not give a reason, but a four-year-old memo she wrote criticizing President Trump after the Jan. 6 attack recently came to light.
How new regional EPA head Cyrus Western plans to lead the agency’s work in the Mountain West
The former Wyoming state lawmaker says deregulation will help cut energy prices. He’s less clear on whether local EPA workers can expect broad layoffs.
Gov. Jared Polis pushing last-minute bill to accelerate Colorado’s shift to renewable energy
Business groups, utilities and local governments are asking legislative leaders not to consider the plan so late in the legislative session.
A notorious, tree-chewing pest could be making a comeback in Colorado
The mountain pine beetles have rebuilt their numbers amid dry and warm weather.
Nuclear is now “clean energy” in Colorado after Gov. Polis signs bill
The governor declined to veto the legislation despite a last-ditch push from environmental groups.
Why local governments scuttled a push to boost rooftop solar in Colorado
A bill required local governments to use software to quickly permit rooftop solar systems, but cities and counties worried it couldn’t handle local regulations.
EPA employees rally in Denver against President Trump’s job and funding cuts
A crowd of nearly 100 people gathered outside the EPA Region 8 headquarters on Wednesday in downtown Denver.
Colorado’s hot spring operators are getting nervous about geothermal energy
The hot springs industry fears a new bill doesn’t do enough to protect them from a geothermal energy rush.
Federal agents kill a Colorado wolf suspected of preying on sheep in Wyoming
Colorado Parks and Wildlife captured the wolf in British Columbia and released it in Colorado last winter.
Colorado lawmakers approve bill to classify nuclear power as ‘clean’ energy
The legislation signals a shifting view of nuclear energy amid rapid climate change and growing energy demand.
