SCOTUS and Colorado’s environment

Plus: Drilling plan near Aurora gets key endorsement, how cellphone tech can help a long-dormant creek, a new website to improve mental health access and more

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Jul 3, 2024 - 14:59
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SCOTUS and Colorado’s environment
People walk by, some stopping to take photos, of the U.S. Supreme Court building
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Good morning, Colorado.

If you’re like a lot of folks who pay attention to politics, last week’s presidential debate plus a slew of foundation-shifting U.S. Supreme Court news (more on that below) might have left you feeling less patriotic this year. But I still plan to celebrate this July Fourth with some beer, baseball and fireworks.

Are you still looking for something to do tomorrow? Parker Yamasaki has you covered. We’re bringing you our weekly What’s Happening feature a day early this week so you can plan your midweek holiday.

That plus all of today’s news below.

P.S. Get your SunFest tickets!

In this July 11, 2019, photograph, southbound Interstate 25 traffic lanes slow to a crawl at the interchange with Interstate 70 just north of downtown Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

A series of U.S. Supreme Court decisions limiting the power of the EPA and other federal agencies threatens Colorado’s progress on key health issues ranging from ozone to water quality to cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Michael Booth has the local reaction from environmental groups and state leaders.

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This photo of Aurora Reservoir was taken from an elevation of about 7,500 feet in 2005, as the Beacon Point neighborhood was just beginning to take shape. (denver_flyer Creative Commons license)

Crestone Peak Resources is proposing to drill 155 wells from eight locations in the 32,000-acre area straddling Arapahoe County and the city of Aurora. It’s a plan that has sparked strong community opposition with the grassroots groups and community members, but could move ahead thanks to an endorsement this week from Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission director Julie Murphy. Mark Jaffe explains.

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Terry Plummer, left, superintendent of the Left Hand Ditch Company, and Bruce Bacon, owner and engineer of HydroLogik, operate the diversion gate on the South St. Vrain Creek on Monday near Ward. The dam on the left was built to divert the creek into the ditch on the right to deliver water for municipal and agricultural use in Boulder County. (Hugh Carey, The Colorado Sun)

Sometime this summer, certain parts of South St. Vrain Creek might, for the first time in over a century, have water flowing through them intermittently, thanks to technology most Coloradans take for granted but until recently has been out of reach for area water managers. Tracy Ross explains.

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A sign marks the entrance to the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration offices in Denver on Monday.

The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration launched an online portal this week that aims to increase transparency and accountability and help the administration offer better care to Coloradans who need it during the coming years. Over time, administrators say more data will be added to help identify gaps in care, make improvements and address health care inequities. Tatiana Flowers has more.

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The Colorado Sun is a nonpartisan news organization, and the opinions of columnists and editorial writers do not reflect the opinions of the newsroom. Read our ethics policy for more on The Sun’s opinion policy and submit columns, suggest writers or provide feedback at opinion@coloradosun.com.

Marshall Moore puts on his ski boots as other skiers ascend toward the summit of Peak 10 in the Tenmile Range, July 4, 2023, in Summit County. The Fourth of July Bowl tends to hold snow into the summer due to its aspect and elevation, which attracts the annual tradition to ski on July Fourth. (Hugh Carey, The Colorado Sun)

In(ter)dependence Day. It’s billed as “all the stuff you love about 4th of July, with none of the stuff you might not,” by Warm Cookies of the Revolution, a Denver-based nonprofit that hosts fun cultural events to promote civic engagement. So, what does that look like on the Fourth of July?

Expect cookout style Mexican food provided by Tarascos Restaurant, art by Charlo, live music and poetry, and — of course — warm cookies. RSVP here to make sure your language translation and child care needs are met.

Visitors are encouraged to bring the names of neighborhood heroes —past, present or future —who have shown exceptional care in community building.

Free; 10 a.m.-1 p.m., July 4; southeastern corner of Huston Lake Park, 850 S. Bryant St., Denver

Happy birthday, America.

— Kevin & the whole staff of The Sun

The Colorado Sun is part of The Trust Project. Read our policies.

Notice something wrong? The Colorado Sun has an ethical responsibility to fix all factual errors. Request a correction by emailing corrections@coloradosun.com.

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