Environment: GMO battle heats up with worldwide protests

Posted on May 25, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Activists have set May 25 as a wordwide day of action to raise awareness about genetically modified food issues.

Colorado joins in with demonstrations across the state

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Activists today (May 25) will try to raise awareness about what they perceive as the dangers of genetically modified foods with a series of worldwide marches and protests under the #OccupyMonsanto banner.The rallies include events across Colorado, from Denver to Grand Junction. The Denver protest at the State Capitol starts at 11 a.m. and is scheduled to continue until 4 p.m.

A worldwide list of events is posted at this Facebook page.

Grassroots opposition has been growing the past few months since Congress passed what’s been called the Monsanto Protection Act, which appears to gives the U.S. Department of Agriculture at least temporary authority to ignore court rulings on whether it’s OK to plant genetically engineered crops. Read this NPR report for more details on the congressional action. (more…)

Filed under: agriculture, Colorado, Environment, Food | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Colorado: Spring storm packs a punch

Posted on March 23, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Resorts reporting powder conditions, but road conditions could hamper access, while the backcountry avalanche danger soars

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An active northern jet stream is bringing cold air and moisture to the northern tier of states, including Colorado. On and off snow is possible through the weekend.

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The CAIC is reporting numerous backcountry avalanches. Click here for more photos.

By Bob Berwyn

FRISCO — March is living up to its reputation as the snowiest month in the Colorado high country, with chilly spring storm snarling roads, intensifying avalanche danger and adding much-needed moisture to the state’s snowpack.

Ski areas around the state are generally reporting up to 12 inches of new snow in the past few days, and moderate to heavy snow continued falling Saturday morning. Some of the heaviest totals are expected east of the Continental Divide, where the California Department of Transportation reported bumper-to-bumper traffic around I-70 and C-470.

East of Denver, I-70 was closed to the Kansas border, and slick conditions on the westbound approach to the mountains prompted CDOT to require chains, snow tires or four-wheel drive for all vehicles in Mt. Vernon Canyon, just west of Denver.

(more…)

Filed under: Snow and weather, avalanches, Summit County snow and weather, climate and weather, Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Travel: Denver launches winter tourism bid

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Denver’s zoo lights are a highlight of a winter visit to the Mile High City. Photo courtesy Denver Zoo.

Marketing campaign, hotel, restaurant deals aimed at boosting visits during slow season

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Along with residents of Albuquerque, Rapid City and Amarillo, Summit County locals will be wooed to visit Dener with $1 million ad blitz aimed at drawing tourists to the Mile High City during the heart of the winter season.

Alongside tourism and business officials, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announced the Mile High Holidays campaign at a press conference at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. The campaign is a collaborative marketing program to increase the overall number of visitors to Denver in the traditionally slow period of November through January.

“Of course the holidays are a magical time of year, but they are also a critical time for many businesses in Denver,” Hancock said. “The Mile High Holidays campaign continues the City’s commitment to supporting and growing our local businesses by partnering with shopping districts and businesses to sell all of Denver to out-of-town visitors.” (more…)

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Colorado gets three new national landmarks

Posted on October 21, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Denver Civic Center circa 1941.

26 new sites reflect country’s cultural diversity

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — America’s list of national historic landmarks grew by 26 last week, as Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced a list of new sites, including two in Colorado — the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad San Juan Extension (Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad) in Conejos and Archuleta counties, and the Denver Civic Center.

National Historic landmarks are places that possess exceptional value and quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States. Currently there are 2,527 designated  historic landmarks and 592 national natural landmark sites across the country that bear this national distinction. (more…)

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2012 water year ends with another dry month

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

A few wet days in September weren’t enough to make up the year-long moisture deficit.

September precipitation below average at Breckenridge and Dillon; temps slightly above average

By Bob Berwyn

FRISCO — September precipitation dipped back down below average in Summit County, with Breckenridge weather watcher Rick Bly reporting a total of 1.07 inches for the month, compared to the average 1.47 inches.

The weather year also ends Sept. 30, and in Breckenridge — perhaps surprisingly, given all the drought talk — precipitation ended up at 18.56 inches of rain and melted snow combined, just about 89 percent of average (20.67 inches).

Meteorologists use and Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 year because it matches up better with seasonal hydrological cycles than the calendar year. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Snow and weather, Summit County Colorado, Summit County snow and weather | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Politics trumps rush hour: I-25 in Denver to be closed for about 5 hours because of Obama-Romney debate

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

I-25 will be closed for about five hours during the Oct. 3 presidential debate at the University of Denver.

CDOT maps alternate routes for north-south traffic

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Interstate 25, the main north-south highway through Denver, will be closed for about five hours next Wednesday (Oct. 3) because of the presidential debate between Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama at the University of Denver.

Federal authorities requested the closure for security reasons, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. The highway will be closed in both directions between Santa Fe Drive (US 85) interchange to the Hampden Avenue (US 285.

Although all closures, dates and times are subject to change, it is anticipated that the six-mile portion of I-25 will be closed from approximately 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (more…)

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Colorado: Denver records hottest-ever July

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

More warm temps ahead, according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

New all-time high temperature average beats Dust Bowl reading by 1.1 degrees

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Temperature records continue to fall in Colorado, as July ended up being the hottest ever for Denver, breaking the previous record by 1.1 degrees, based on statistics going back to 1872.

The average temperature for the months was 78.9 degrees, topping the Dust Bowl-era record of 77.8 degrees set in 1934. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Environment, global warming | Tagged: , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Denver Water: ‘Use only what you need’

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Drought watch 2012

Denver Water promotes conservation, but new developments along Tower Road, near DIA, still include acres of bluegrass lawn and unsustainable irrigation practices, including sprinkler watering during high winds. Photo by Bob Berwyn.

*Editor’s note: This is one of an occasional series of contributed articles highlighting water conservation efforts in Colorado.

By Jim Lochhead, CEO/Manager of Denver Water

Denver Water is leading the way in water conservation in Colorado, helping customers with an ambitious goal: Use 22 percent less water than before the 2002 drought. And the plan is working. Denver Water customers are using 20 percent less water than they were before 2002 — and there are nearly 10 percent more of them.

Denver Water started promoting water conservation as early as the 1920s, but following the drought of 2002, Denver Water customers embraced a cultural shift in how they value water. One of the primary drivers for this culture change has been Denver Water’s advertising campaign. The campaign helps customers appreciate the value of water by encouraging them to “Use Only What You Need.” A 2011 survey found that almost 95 percent of respondents recognize the advertising campaign.

Aside from the campaign, several programs and rules encourage customers to use water wisely. Large irrigation customers, such as homeowners associations and commercial properties, can earn $6,000 per acre-foot of water saved by developing a plan to cut water use by at least 3 acre-feet a year. In the past five years, Denver Water has signed 68 contracts with those customers (with more in the works), saving an estimated 510 acre-feet of water per year — the annual amount used by roughly 1,275 households. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, Environment, rivers, water | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Colorado: Olympic exploratory committee to release report

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Could the Olympic flag one day fly over Colorado?

Deadline for potential winter games bid drawing closer

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Settlement of a long-running dispute over Olympic television revenues has opened the door for a possible Colorado bid for the winter games, and later today, the Denver Olympic Exploratory Committee will release a report and recommendations on the region’s potential potential bid.

The announcement will be at 3 pm. at the Colorado Health Foundation.

The committee has been assessing four key aspects of bidding for and hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games including: community strengths and benefits, financial commitments, operational requirements and host city guaranties. (more…)

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Colorado: I-70 surveys show growth of car-pooling

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

In-depth info could help corridor stakeholders plan new ways to reduce congestion along the busy mountain corridor

Many Colorado skiers say they’d be willing to pay a toll for an extra lane on part of I-70.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — A mid-winter survey of skiers and snowboarders at the three Dinosaur parking lots in Morrison has yielded a “goldmine of information” for resorts and stakeholders along the I-70 corridor, with detailed data on car-pooling patterns, which people might be induced to ride public transit to resorts and whether skiers and snowboarders might be willing to pay a toll for an extra lane of traffic on the busy corridor.

More data came from automated traffic counters at the entrance of the Woolly Mammoth lot and from a series of questions posed to the RRC Associates Colorado Snowsports Enthusiasts Panel.

Overall, carpooling from the Dinosaur lot leads to a 60 percent reduction in the number of vehicles, with one carpool vehicle leaving the lot for every 2.4 vehicles that enters. Most cars entering the lot were solo drivers; by contrast, each car leaving the lot had, on average, 3.3 people aboard. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, I-70, Summit County news, transportation | Tagged: , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

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