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
They lost their home in the Marshall fire. Here’s where they stand six months later.
The recovery is underway after Colorado's most destructive wildfire, but fire victims face a long road home.
By Sam Brasch
Climate Change
A Colorado startup wants buildings to suck up carbon, one living concrete block at a time
Prometheus Materials, a Longmont company, has new funding to make bio-cement developed at CU Boulder into carbon-negative building materials.
By Sam Brasch
Energy
Xcel Energy has the state’s blessing for a $2 billion power line on the Eastern Plains. Can it convince rural residents?
Local opposition groups claim Xcel Energy is sacrificing local ecosystems in the name of climate action.
By Sam Brasch
Energy
Gov. Jared Polis vetoes bill that would have required electric vehicle chargers in new and renovated buildings
While the governor supports an EV-charger build-out, he said the bipartisan bill risked further increasing housing prices.
By Sam Brasch
Environment
Cheap, energy-efficient manufactured homes? New federal standards aim for both
The U.S. Department of Energy has issued its first update for factory-built homes in 26 years. It hasn't satisfied homebuilders or energy-efficiency advocates.
By Sam Brasch
Energy
National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado is part of a new effort to move national research centers away from fossil fuels.
U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm announced the $38 million Net Zero Labs initiative in Colorado on Wednesday. NREL plans to take a leading role.
By Sam Brasch
Environment
Wildfire smoke and poor air quality are coming. Here’s how scientists protect their homes.
The tiny particles in smoke can creep past doors and windows, which means it's important to take steps to maintain indoor air quality.
By Sam Brasch
Energy
We asked Xcel why power bills are going up. They say it’s partly your choices
Xcel Energy customers have watched their utility bills skyrocket in the last few months — and costs aren't expected to stop climbing any time soon.
By Sam Brasch, Ryan Warner, and Miguel Otárola
Climate Change
Air quality, wildfires and building codes: Here are the climate bills headed to Gov. Jared Polis’s desk
And the bills that didn't get passed.
By Sam Brasch, Joe Wertz, and Michael Elizabeth Sakas
Energy
Colorado’s oil and gas industry withdraws proposed 2022 ballot initiatives
The move guarantees voters won't see another bruising oil and gas ballot fight — for now.
By Sam Brasch
Energy
A goofy, Colorado-made electric car is finding a second life with hobbyists
The Unique Mobility Electrek is a high-voltage eyesore dating back to the Carter Administration. That's why fans love it.
By Sam Brasch
Government and Politics
Proposal for statewide green building codes narrowly survives at the Colorado capitol
Supporters say the legislation would both help cut emissions and energy costs. Not all Democrats are on board.
By Sam Brasch
Climate Change
A Boulder climate activist died after he set himself on fire. His friends remember his talent and compassion
Friends and family of Wynn Alan Bruce remember him as a committed environmental activist and a loving member of the Boulder community.
By Sam Brasch
Environment
Peak Colorado wildfire season will start earlier and last longer, predict forecasters
The state has expanded its fleet of firefighting aircraft to help detect and smother wildfires throughout the summer.
By Sam Brasch
Energy
Is Xcel Energy making too much money? Colorado voters could get the chance to decide
The Independence Institute, a Libertarian-leaning think tank, has proposed a ballot initiative to return revenue from Colorado's largest monopoly utility company.
By Sam Brasch
Environment
The EPA moves to declare the Front Range a ‘severe’ air quality violator. Here’s why that matters.
More Colorado companies will be forced to obtain and comply with tougher state air pollution permits, and gas stations will also likely be required to sell cleaner-burning fuel.
By Sam Brasch

They lost their home in the Marshall fire. Here’s where they stand six months later.

A Colorado startup wants buildings to suck up carbon, one living concrete block at a time

Xcel Energy has the state’s blessing for a $2 billion power line on the Eastern Plains. Can it convince rural residents?

Gov. Jared Polis vetoes bill that would have required electric vehicle chargers in new and renovated buildings

Cheap, energy-efficient manufactured homes? New federal standards aim for both

National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado is part of a new effort to move national research centers away from fossil fuels.

Wildfire smoke and poor air quality are coming. Here’s how scientists protect their homes.

We asked Xcel why power bills are going up. They say it’s partly your choices

Air quality, wildfires and building codes: Here are the climate bills headed to Gov. Jared Polis’s desk

Colorado’s oil and gas industry withdraws proposed 2022 ballot initiatives

A goofy, Colorado-made electric car is finding a second life with hobbyists

Proposal for statewide green building codes narrowly survives at the Colorado capitol

A Boulder climate activist died after he set himself on fire. His friends remember his talent and compassion

Peak Colorado wildfire season will start earlier and last longer, predict forecasters

Is Xcel Energy making too much money? Colorado voters could get the chance to decide

The EPA moves to declare the Front Range a ‘severe’ air quality violator. Here’s why that matters.

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