Sam Brasch | Colorado Public Radio

Sam Brasch

Climate / Environment Reporter

Sam Brasch covers climate and the environment for CPR News. Sam came to CPR in 2015 as the recipient of the organization’s first news fellowship.

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy, Colorado College.

Professional background:
Sam came to Colorado Public Radio in 2015 as the recipient of the organization’s first news fellowship. The year-long position allowed him to hone his journalistic skills working alongside CPR reporters, producers and editors.

Following his fellowship, Sam was awarded an 11-Hour Food and Farming Journalism Fellowship from the University of California Berkeley where we worked with mentors like Michael Pollan to produce a radio documentary on kosher slaughter practices.

Sam rejoined Colorado Public Radio in 2016 as a contract reporter where he filled in for newscasts, reported on the state legislature and supported long-term feature stories and interviews for “Colorado Matters.”

Before his career in broadcast journalism, Sam worked for Modern Farmer Magazine where he wrote articles on goat towers and lambie jammies, and promoted the magazine’s work on social media.

Environment
Why An Arvada Eco-Village Is Fighting To Keep Out Natural Gas
The Geos neighborhood is worried an expansion could divide the all-electric community with gas lines.
By Sam Brasch
Government and Politics
Colorado Climate Compromise Passes In The Final Days Of The State Legislative Session
The final bill sailed through the state Capitol despite Republican’s best effort at a last-minute filibuster.
By Sam Brasch
Environment
It’s Official: Colorado Has Its First Wild Wolf Pups Since The 1940s
State biologists say they have recorded multiple sightings of wolf pups born in Colorado. That means wolf pup pictures could be coming soon.
By Sam Brasch
Government and Politics
Gun Control, Medical Marijuana, Taxes And More — Here’s How Colorado Laws Changed This Year
State legislators wrapped up their session late Tuesday with the usual flurry of last-minute lawmaking.
By Bente Birkeland, Andrew Kenney, Nathaniel Minor, Megan Verlee, and Sam Brasch
Climate Change
Colorado Democratic Lawmakers Say They Nearly Have A Deal With Gov. Jared Polis On A Controversial Climate Bill
The plan for more aggressive climate action has split Colorado Democrats.
By Sam Brasch
Environment
A Colorado Startup Will Certify Some Natural Gas As “Responsibly Sourced.” Will That Actually Help With Climate Change?
The hope is to help investors recognize “good actors.”
By Sam Brasch
Environment
Biologists Mis-Sexed A Colorado Wolf. Now It May Have Given Birth To The State’s First Wolf Pups Since The 1940s
Tracking collars suggest the wolves have a den in Jackson County, which could be full of pups born this spring.
By Sam Brasch
Climate Change
One Reason A Landmark Colorado Climate Bill Is On Pause? A Massive Coal Plant In Pueblo
Fears of an early closure for the Comanche 3 generating station have stalled a landmark climate action in the state senate.
By Sam Brasch
Climate Change
After Polis Threatened To Veto A Climate Action Bill, Colorado Climate Voters And Environmental Groups Reassess Their Support
When Jared Polis ran for governor, Harmony Cummings decided to put her feet to the pavement for his candidacy. The Denver mom made an early commitment to speak to more than 1,000 voters on behalf of the Democrat. Each time someone answered a door, Cummings focused her pitch on climate change.
By Sam Brasch
Climate Change
‘Sewer Heat’ Could Be Hidden Ally Against Climate Change. Here’s How Denver Is Pulling It To The Surface
Your hot shower and other warm sewage could help heat and cool buildings in the future.
By Sam Brasch
Climate Change
Ford And BMW Invest In Colorado Startup To Power The Next Generation Of Electric Cars
Solid Power, a Louisville battery company, now has $130 million to expand its operations in Colorado.
By Sam Brasch
Environment
Suncor’s Outdated Air Pollution Permit Is Up For Renewal. Here’s What’s At Stake
Neighborhood advocates hope the process could reign in air pollution from the Commerce City oil and gas refinery. Could it?
By Sam Brasch
Environment
Climate Action Bill Advances Despite Polis’ Veto Threat
The governor told the Colorado Springs Gazette's editorial board the plan would give air regulators “near-dictatorial control of our entire economy.”
By Sam Brasch
Energy
CU Boulder Built An All-Electric Home In Frigid Fraser. Does It Mean The End Of Natural Gas Heating?
The 1,200-square foot home won top prize in the Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon.
By Sam Brasch
Environment
Commerce City Nonprofit Wins Suncor Energy Fine Money, Will Use It To Monitor Suncor Energy
Cultivando, a Latinx community group, plans to set up air monitors around the refinery north of Denver.
By Sam Brasch
Environment
A Climate Change Battle Between Gov. Polis And Environmental Groups Is Heating Up At The Capitol
A battle over climate change at the state capitol has revealed a deep divide among Colorado Democrats.
By Sam Brasch

Why An Arvada Eco-Village Is Fighting To Keep Out Natural Gas

Colorado Climate Compromise Passes In The Final Days Of The State Legislative Session

It’s Official: Colorado Has Its First Wild Wolf Pups Since The 1940s

Gun Control, Medical Marijuana, Taxes And More — Here’s How Colorado Laws Changed This Year

Colorado Democratic Lawmakers Say They Nearly Have A Deal With Gov. Jared Polis On A Controversial Climate Bill

A Colorado Startup Will Certify Some Natural Gas As “Responsibly Sourced.” Will That Actually Help With Climate Change?

Biologists Mis-Sexed A Colorado Wolf. Now It May Have Given Birth To The State’s First Wolf Pups Since The 1940s

One Reason A Landmark Colorado Climate Bill Is On Pause? A Massive Coal Plant In Pueblo

After Polis Threatened To Veto A Climate Action Bill, Colorado Climate Voters And Environmental Groups Reassess Their Support

‘Sewer Heat’ Could Be Hidden Ally Against Climate Change. Here’s How Denver Is Pulling It To The Surface

Ford And BMW Invest In Colorado Startup To Power The Next Generation Of Electric Cars

Suncor’s Outdated Air Pollution Permit Is Up For Renewal. Here’s What’s At Stake

Climate Action Bill Advances Despite Polis’ Veto Threat

CU Boulder Built An All-Electric Home In Frigid Fraser. Does It Mean The End Of Natural Gas Heating?

Commerce City Nonprofit Wins Suncor Energy Fine Money, Will Use It To Monitor Suncor Energy

A Climate Change Battle Between Gov. Polis And Environmental Groups Is Heating Up At The Capitol

CPR Podcast Explores Police Reform

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