Pollution

Earning a spot on the Colorado School of Mines microplastics sampling team on the South Platte River requires careful balancing in waist-deep water and occasionally dodging some very inquisitive Canada Geese.

More than a century after the Mountain West’s silver and gold rushes, mercury used to process those metals is still moving through a northern Nevada river system and showing up in local wildlife.

A new report shows tens of thousands of abandoned mines dot the U.S., including parts of the Mountain West. Experts say these sites pose pollution threats due to being in areas that are at high risk for flooding.

If you have a drip tray under your fridge that’s filled with orange goo, a CSU scientist might be interested in hearing about it. A researcher there collects samples from people’s appliances like air conditioners and hot water heaters – and says the organisms could hold solutions to climate change and pollution.

If you have a drip tray under your fridge that’s filled with orange goo, you might have an organism living with you that science wants to know about. A researcher at Colorado State University is collecting samples from people’s homes that he thinks could hold solutions to climate change and pollution.

Alliance to Transform Transportation has a plan to provide 2 million metro Denver residents with buses running every 15 minutes, but where the funding could come from is still a mystery. Listen to "Morning Edition" host Michael Lyle, Jr. discuss this story with Colorado Sun editor David Krause and then read The Colorado Sun story at the link below.

The Environmental Protection Agency is awarding the grants to 33 tribal nations and one U.S. territory. Recipients plan to apply the funding to reduce air pollution, transition to clean energy use, and promote environmental justice.

Environmental groups took the first step to sue the owner of an oil refinery near Denver for years of pollution violations. Earthjustice says it is representing local environmental groups and sent a notice on Wednesday notifying Suncor of the upcoming lawsuit. The groups say the plant exceeded pollution standards and limits over 1,000 times between 2019 and 2023 and state regulators haven't done enough to hold the company accountable.

Five of the eight cities and counties serving on the so-called community noise roundtable have hit eject, citing a lack of progress and trust in the airport's owner, Jefferson County. The turbulence had been building for months.

A new report shows air pollution is affecting most national parks across the U.S., including parts of the Mountain West.