environment

Pitkin County is working to update its rules about hauling trash and recyclables, and a proposed ordinance aims to expand recycling in a challenging market.

This week, scientists are gathered in Aspen to discuss “flash droughts,” which last under 30 days. Dr. Roger Pulwarty, a climate scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will be giving a public lecture Tuesday as part of the workshop put on by the Aspen Global Change Institute.

Pitkin County has been working to update its land use and energy codes. Commissioners will hear an update Tuesday on changes to the Renewable Energy Mitigation Program (REMP).

A decade-long battle over oil and gas leases in the Thompson Divide area near Carbondale has ended.

Aspen Skiing Company announced Wednesday that it is once again stepping into the political arena with its latest advertising campaign; this season’s marketing focuses on climate change.

Aspen wants to cut traffic without adding more lanes or changing the s-curves. In an experiment called "Shift," which is slated for next summer, the city will test out a variety of programs aimed at giving people options to get out of the car as they commute into town.

On Tuesday, Pitkin County Commissioners and the Open Space and Trails Board will hear updates on a draft plan for a trail that could eventually connect Carbondale and Crested Butte.

On Monday, the state approved Xcel Energy’s plan to close two coal-fired power plants, which is expected to bring more renewable energy to Colorado.

The U.S. Forest Service is conducting restoration work on Smuggler Mountain near Warren Lakes for the next several weeks. Hikers and bikers could see increased traffic on the county road.

For the past three years, the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority has employed a herd of goats to eat the weeds along the Rio Grande Trail.

For nearly a decade, biologists with the nonprofit Rocky Mountain Wild and the Denver Zoo have studied pikas on the Front Range; this summer, that work is expanding to the White River National Forest. Scientists want to know how a warming climate will impact the alpine ecosystem and are hoping pikas can provide some clues.

After a slow start to last ski season, Aspen Skiing Company wants to continue to develop its snowmaking capacity.

A handful of middle and high school students from across the Roaring Fork Valley spent the week learning about climate change and making films.

Stage one fire restrictions went into effect Tuesday in Pitkin and Eagle Counties because of dry conditions and high temperatures.

Aspen Mayor Steve Skadron spent last week representing Aspen’s sustainability goals at two separate conferences, first in Chicago and then in Dusseldorf, Germany.

A local environmental nonprofit and the City of Aspen have been taking steps toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Artist Sonja Hinrichsen has been bringing attention to the issue with snowshoers in the valley through an environmental art project.