Sam Brasch
@sambrasch.bsky.social
Climate and environment reporter for Colorado Public Radio in Denver, CO.
Pinned
Sam Brasch
@sambrasch.bsky.social
· Oct 14
Does the AI boom threaten local air quality? A north Denver neighborhood is about to find out
A new data center campus is currently under construction in Elyria-Swansea — a neighborhood already struggling with pollution from major highways and Colorado’s only oil and gas refinery.
www.cpr.org
The AI boom isn't just a massive drain on water and electricity.
In north Denver, local residents worry future data center could be the area's latest air pollution source. My latest:
www.cpr.org/2025/10/14/a...
In north Denver, local residents worry future data center could be the area's latest air pollution source. My latest:
www.cpr.org/2025/10/14/a...
Reposted by Sam Brasch
Trump administration renames Colorado’s National Renewable Energy Lab: the National Lab of the Rockies www.cpr.org/2025/12/01/n... via @sambrasch.bsky.social #copolitics
Trump administration renames Colorado’s National Renewable Energy Lab: the National Lab of the Rockies
U.S. Department of Energy officials say name change reflects an “expanded mission” for the research hub under President Trump.
www.cpr.org
December 2, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Trump administration renames Colorado’s National Renewable Energy Lab: the National Lab of the Rockies www.cpr.org/2025/12/01/n... via @sambrasch.bsky.social #copolitics
Reposted by Sam Brasch
Faith Winter is why Colorado has a paid family leave program. My enduring memory: breaking the news to her that the AP had called it and the measure had passed, five years ago this month.
She was killed in a car crash today. I wish her loved ones solace and comfort. coloradosun.com/2025/11/26/f...
She was killed in a car crash today. I wish her loved ones solace and comfort. coloradosun.com/2025/11/26/f...
November 27, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Faith Winter is why Colorado has a paid family leave program. My enduring memory: breaking the news to her that the AP had called it and the measure had passed, five years ago this month.
She was killed in a car crash today. I wish her loved ones solace and comfort. coloradosun.com/2025/11/26/f...
She was killed in a car crash today. I wish her loved ones solace and comfort. coloradosun.com/2025/11/26/f...
Reposted by Sam Brasch
Surveillance in action:
"You know we have cameras in that jurisdiction and you can’t get a breath of fresh air, in or out of that place, without us knowing, correct?”
denverite.com/2025/10/27/b...
"You know we have cameras in that jurisdiction and you can’t get a breath of fresh air, in or out of that place, without us knowing, correct?”
denverite.com/2025/10/27/b...
Police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of package theft. She had her own evidence
"Like I said, nothing gets in or out of the town without us knowing."
denverite.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Surveillance in action:
"You know we have cameras in that jurisdiction and you can’t get a breath of fresh air, in or out of that place, without us knowing, correct?”
denverite.com/2025/10/27/b...
"You know we have cameras in that jurisdiction and you can’t get a breath of fresh air, in or out of that place, without us knowing, correct?”
denverite.com/2025/10/27/b...
Reposted by Sam Brasch
(1/x) This Denver woman found a police officer from a neighboring town on her doorstop.
He was there b/c someone had stolen a $25 package, and Flock cameras put her in the vicinity. He was convinced she was guilty.
But the evidence points to her innocence.
denverite.com/2025/10/27/b...
He was there b/c someone had stolen a $25 package, and Flock cameras put her in the vicinity. He was convinced she was guilty.
But the evidence points to her innocence.
denverite.com/2025/10/27/b...
Police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of package theft. She had her own evidence
"Like I said, nothing gets in or out of the town without us knowing."
denverite.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:42 PM
(1/x) This Denver woman found a police officer from a neighboring town on her doorstop.
He was there b/c someone had stolen a $25 package, and Flock cameras put her in the vicinity. He was convinced she was guilty.
But the evidence points to her innocence.
denverite.com/2025/10/27/b...
He was there b/c someone had stolen a $25 package, and Flock cameras put her in the vicinity. He was convinced she was guilty.
But the evidence points to her innocence.
denverite.com/2025/10/27/b...
Reposted by Sam Brasch
“A motive has not been determined, though queer-owned businesses say they are on edge and are well aware of the pattern.”
denverite.com/2025/10/27/d...
denverite.com/2025/10/27/d...
Windows smashed at multiple Denver LGBTQ businesses
Queer-owned businesses say they are on edge and are well aware of the pattern.
denverite.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:41 PM
“A motive has not been determined, though queer-owned businesses say they are on edge and are well aware of the pattern.”
denverite.com/2025/10/27/d...
denverite.com/2025/10/27/d...
The AI boom isn't just a massive drain on water and electricity.
In north Denver, local residents worry future data center could be the area's latest air pollution source. My latest:
www.cpr.org/2025/10/14/a...
In north Denver, local residents worry future data center could be the area's latest air pollution source. My latest:
www.cpr.org/2025/10/14/a...
Does the AI boom threaten local air quality? A north Denver neighborhood is about to find out
A new data center campus is currently under construction in Elyria-Swansea — a neighborhood already struggling with pollution from major highways and Colorado’s only oil and gas refinery.
www.cpr.org
October 14, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The AI boom isn't just a massive drain on water and electricity.
In north Denver, local residents worry future data center could be the area's latest air pollution source. My latest:
www.cpr.org/2025/10/14/a...
In north Denver, local residents worry future data center could be the area's latest air pollution source. My latest:
www.cpr.org/2025/10/14/a...
Reposted by Sam Brasch
This story was inspired by a conversation with a fossil fuel exec in Paris a few days after the big outage in Spain. He blamed too much renewable energy as the cause.
Was that really it? Turns out: No.
@npr.org takes you through a new report on what happened + impacts of renewable misinformation.
Was that really it? Turns out: No.
@npr.org takes you through a new report on what happened + impacts of renewable misinformation.
After Spain's blackout, critics blamed renewable energy. It's part of a bigger attack
When millions lost power in Spain and Portugal this spring, some were quick to blame too much solar and wind power. That wasn't the cause, but the misinformation had an impact.
www.npr.org
October 9, 2025 at 3:33 PM
This story was inspired by a conversation with a fossil fuel exec in Paris a few days after the big outage in Spain. He blamed too much renewable energy as the cause.
Was that really it? Turns out: No.
@npr.org takes you through a new report on what happened + impacts of renewable misinformation.
Was that really it? Turns out: No.
@npr.org takes you through a new report on what happened + impacts of renewable misinformation.
Reposted by Sam Brasch
Aspiration Inc. is at the center of the alleged $28M no-show gig for LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard.
Back in 2021, years before Aspiration went bankrupt, @propublica.org revealed how the company appeared to inflate claims about the many millions of trees it had planted.
Back in 2021, years before Aspiration went bankrupt, @propublica.org revealed how the company appeared to inflate claims about the many millions of trees it had planted.
The Celebrity-Backed Green “Fintech” Company That Isn’t as Green as It Seems
Aspiration is among a group of companies that provide banking and financial services, and promise to help the environment. But so far its marketing is greener than its reality.
www.propublica.org
September 8, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Aspiration Inc. is at the center of the alleged $28M no-show gig for LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard.
Back in 2021, years before Aspiration went bankrupt, @propublica.org revealed how the company appeared to inflate claims about the many millions of trees it had planted.
Back in 2021, years before Aspiration went bankrupt, @propublica.org revealed how the company appeared to inflate claims about the many millions of trees it had planted.
Colorado red-hot EV market is burning bright before it fades away.
Here's my report from hanging out at dealerships before federal EV tax credits expire at the end of the month. CO's generous incentives are also on steep, downward trajectory.
www.cpr.org/2025/09/03/s...
Here's my report from hanging out at dealerships before federal EV tax credits expire at the end of the month. CO's generous incentives are also on steep, downward trajectory.
www.cpr.org/2025/09/03/s...
In EV-crazed Colorado, drivers rush to dealerships before tax credits disappear
The federal EV tax credit is set to expire on Sept. 30, luring a surge of customers to dealerships in Colorado and across the country.
www.cpr.org
September 3, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Colorado red-hot EV market is burning bright before it fades away.
Here's my report from hanging out at dealerships before federal EV tax credits expire at the end of the month. CO's generous incentives are also on steep, downward trajectory.
www.cpr.org/2025/09/03/s...
Here's my report from hanging out at dealerships before federal EV tax credits expire at the end of the month. CO's generous incentives are also on steep, downward trajectory.
www.cpr.org/2025/09/03/s...
This isn't happening because public media is irrelevant in the digital age.
It's happening because PBS and NPR offer free news and educational programming--and keep finding ways to do it despite a shifting media landscape.
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/b...
It's happening because PBS and NPR offer free news and educational programming--and keep finding ways to do it despite a shifting media landscape.
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/b...
Conservatives Get the PBS and NPR Cuts They’ve Wanted for Decades
www.nytimes.com
July 18, 2025 at 2:45 PM
This isn't happening because public media is irrelevant in the digital age.
It's happening because PBS and NPR offer free news and educational programming--and keep finding ways to do it despite a shifting media landscape.
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/b...
It's happening because PBS and NPR offer free news and educational programming--and keep finding ways to do it despite a shifting media landscape.
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/b...
Reposted by Sam Brasch
Trump’s EPA moves to reject key portions of a Colorado plan to close coal-fired power plants www.cpr.org/2025/07/16/e... via @sambrasch.bsky.social #copolitics
Trump’s EPA moves to reject key portions of a Colorado plan to close coal-fired power plants
The proposed rejection doesn’t stop Colorado from enforcing the plan, but it signals the federal government no longer supports the state’s approach to combat air quality and climate change.
www.cpr.org
July 16, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Trump’s EPA moves to reject key portions of a Colorado plan to close coal-fired power plants www.cpr.org/2025/07/16/e... via @sambrasch.bsky.social #copolitics
Reposted by Sam Brasch
Current and former federal workers, we want to hear from you!
Have you been let go? Did you take an offer? Are you left with fewer colleagues and more responsibility?
Fill out our survey. We won't publish w/o your permission. You can also be anonymous:
Have you been let go? Did you take an offer? Are you left with fewer colleagues and more responsibility?
Fill out our survey. We won't publish w/o your permission. You can also be anonymous:
Have you been impacted by recent federal layoffs? We want to hear from you
Budget cuts to federal agencies from the Trump administration has resulted in a reduced workforce and an end to research and other projects. CPR News wants to hear from those impacted.
www.cpr.org
July 2, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Current and former federal workers, we want to hear from you!
Have you been let go? Did you take an offer? Are you left with fewer colleagues and more responsibility?
Fill out our survey. We won't publish w/o your permission. You can also be anonymous:
Have you been let go? Did you take an offer? Are you left with fewer colleagues and more responsibility?
Fill out our survey. We won't publish w/o your permission. You can also be anonymous:
Because tense city council meetings are somehow a new thing in...Boulder?
This whole NYT article trying to connect the dots between the horrible tragedy on Sunday and local Boulder politics is really reaching.
This whole NYT article trying to connect the dots between the horrible tragedy on Sunday and local Boulder politics is really reaching.
June 4, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Because tense city council meetings are somehow a new thing in...Boulder?
This whole NYT article trying to connect the dots between the horrible tragedy on Sunday and local Boulder politics is really reaching.
This whole NYT article trying to connect the dots between the horrible tragedy on Sunday and local Boulder politics is really reaching.
Reposted by Sam Brasch
An underappreciated aspect of the new WMO report -- if the temperature predictions are correct, the world will pass 1.5C in as a long-term average (i.e., the _actual_ Paris goal) in 2027.
In just two years.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
In just two years.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Earth could cross a key climate threshold in two years. Here’s why it matters.
A new World Meteorological Organization report spells the end of the world’s most famous climate goal.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 29, 2025 at 2:08 PM
An underappreciated aspect of the new WMO report -- if the temperature predictions are correct, the world will pass 1.5C in as a long-term average (i.e., the _actual_ Paris goal) in 2027.
In just two years.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
In just two years.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Reposted by Sam Brasch
A really horrifying @samtabachnik.bsky.social story about the death of a 7-year-old adopted son of a Granby police officer and a pledge by some in power to ensure the case was tossed aside. www.denverpost.com/2025/05/15/i...
A Colorado boy likely died from drinking too much olive brine. Grand County tried to make the suspicious case disappear.
Isaiah Stark died from ingesting too much sodium, the coroner found, likely due to drinking olive brine.
www.denverpost.com
May 15, 2025 at 4:23 PM
A really horrifying @samtabachnik.bsky.social story about the death of a 7-year-old adopted son of a Granby police officer and a pledge by some in power to ensure the case was tossed aside. www.denverpost.com/2025/05/15/i...
If anyone in Colorado has experienced something similar, please let me know.
One day in March, people claiming to be FBI agents knocked on the doors of 6 local climate activists. No one knows why they came, or if they were real agents, but many worry it's an intimidation tactic.
Great story from @moranwriter.bsky.social www.wbur.org/news/2025/05...
Great story from @moranwriter.bsky.social www.wbur.org/news/2025/05...
Boston-area climate activists report visits from the FBI
Local climate activists are on edge after people claiming to be FBI agents visited at least six at their homes on the same day in Greater Boston in March. Weeks later, the motivations behind these vis...
www.wbur.org
May 9, 2025 at 8:21 PM
If anyone in Colorado has experienced something similar, please let me know.
Reposted by Sam Brasch
One day in March, people claiming to be FBI agents knocked on the doors of 6 local climate activists. No one knows why they came, or if they were real agents, but many worry it's an intimidation tactic.
Great story from @moranwriter.bsky.social www.wbur.org/news/2025/05...
Great story from @moranwriter.bsky.social www.wbur.org/news/2025/05...
Boston-area climate activists report visits from the FBI
Local climate activists are on edge after people claiming to be FBI agents visited at least six at their homes on the same day in Greater Boston in March. Weeks later, the motivations behind these vis...
www.wbur.org
May 8, 2025 at 5:35 PM
One day in March, people claiming to be FBI agents knocked on the doors of 6 local climate activists. No one knows why they came, or if they were real agents, but many worry it's an intimidation tactic.
Great story from @moranwriter.bsky.social www.wbur.org/news/2025/05...
Great story from @moranwriter.bsky.social www.wbur.org/news/2025/05...
Reposted by Sam Brasch
Don’t call it ‘climate denial,’ Secretary of Energy Chris Wright claims he’s preaching ‘climate realism’ -- nice reporting here from @cprnews.bsky.social's @sambrasch.bsky.social
www.cpr.org/2025/05/05/c...
www.cpr.org/2025/05/05/c...
Don’t call it ‘climate denial,’ Secretary of Energy Chris Wright claims he’s preaching ‘climate realism’
As a Denver-based fracking executive, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright honed a message on global warming: yes, it’s real, but it’s a manageable side effect of modern life.
www.cpr.org
May 5, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Don’t call it ‘climate denial,’ Secretary of Energy Chris Wright claims he’s preaching ‘climate realism’ -- nice reporting here from @cprnews.bsky.social's @sambrasch.bsky.social
www.cpr.org/2025/05/05/c...
www.cpr.org/2025/05/05/c...
Another story from Hotspots, our on-going series about communities leading Colorado's geothermal energy boom.
This one really brings it home. Across the state, more homeowners and homebuilders are turning to ground-source heat pumps for heating and cooling.
www.cpr.org/2025/04/24/c...
This one really brings it home. Across the state, more homeowners and homebuilders are turning to ground-source heat pumps for heating and cooling.
www.cpr.org/2025/04/24/c...
How to mine your backyard for underground heat — and why it might get cheaper in Colorado
Geothermal heat pumps, also known as ground-source heat pumps, take advantage of the Earth’s constant temperature to heat and cool homes.
www.cpr.org
April 24, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Another story from Hotspots, our on-going series about communities leading Colorado's geothermal energy boom.
This one really brings it home. Across the state, more homeowners and homebuilders are turning to ground-source heat pumps for heating and cooling.
www.cpr.org/2025/04/24/c...
This one really brings it home. Across the state, more homeowners and homebuilders are turning to ground-source heat pumps for heating and cooling.
www.cpr.org/2025/04/24/c...
It's fascinating how Sec. of Energy Chris Wright uses Denver's success in dealing with its "brown cloud" as a national example.
What he leaves out: the metro area has seen big PM improvements, but its ozone issue has gotten worse due, in part, to oil and gas.
www.foxnews.com/video/637176...
What he leaves out: the metro area has seen big PM improvements, but its ozone issue has gotten worse due, in part, to oil and gas.
www.foxnews.com/video/637176...
Energy Secretary Chris Wright issues 2025 Earth Day message | Fox News Video
Secretary Chris Wright offered his 2025 Earth Day message, which was exclusively obtained first by Fox News Digital.
www.foxnews.com
April 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
It's fascinating how Sec. of Energy Chris Wright uses Denver's success in dealing with its "brown cloud" as a national example.
What he leaves out: the metro area has seen big PM improvements, but its ozone issue has gotten worse due, in part, to oil and gas.
www.foxnews.com/video/637176...
What he leaves out: the metro area has seen big PM improvements, but its ozone issue has gotten worse due, in part, to oil and gas.
www.foxnews.com/video/637176...
Behold the power of dirt cheap leases and probably some political misgivings about Tesla.
Nissan is now the #1 EV brand in CO.
Nissan is now the #1 EV brand in CO.
April 12, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Behold the power of dirt cheap leases and probably some political misgivings about Tesla.
Nissan is now the #1 EV brand in CO.
Nissan is now the #1 EV brand in CO.
Curious if Sen. Michael Bennet's support of Energy Sec. Chris Wright will shape the D primary for CO Gov
Wright has repeatedly tried to reframe climate change as a good thing. Before voting to confirm him, Bennet praised his "deep expertise in energy innovation."
www.axios.com/local/denver...
Wright has repeatedly tried to reframe climate change as a good thing. Before voting to confirm him, Bennet praised his "deep expertise in energy innovation."
www.axios.com/local/denver...
Colorado's U.S. senators break with environmentalists to support Trump's energy pick
U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper are breaking rank to back the Denver-based fracking executive.
www.axios.com
April 11, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Curious if Sen. Michael Bennet's support of Energy Sec. Chris Wright will shape the D primary for CO Gov
Wright has repeatedly tried to reframe climate change as a good thing. Before voting to confirm him, Bennet praised his "deep expertise in energy innovation."
www.axios.com/local/denver...
Wright has repeatedly tried to reframe climate change as a good thing. Before voting to confirm him, Bennet praised his "deep expertise in energy innovation."
www.axios.com/local/denver...
Reposted by Sam Brasch
BREAKING from @science.org: The Trump admin is seeking to kill nearly all climate research at NOAA, its climate science agency.
Its near-final budget proposal would end all NOAA research labs, academic institutes, and regional climate centers. And it wants to fully end the NOAA Research division.
Its near-final budget proposal would end all NOAA research labs, academic institutes, and regional climate centers. And it wants to fully end the NOAA Research division.
Trump seeks to end climate research at premier U.S. climate agency
White House aims to end NOAA’s research office; NASA also targeted
www.science.org
April 11, 2025 at 3:20 PM
BREAKING from @science.org: The Trump admin is seeking to kill nearly all climate research at NOAA, its climate science agency.
Its near-final budget proposal would end all NOAA research labs, academic institutes, and regional climate centers. And it wants to fully end the NOAA Research division.
Its near-final budget proposal would end all NOAA research labs, academic institutes, and regional climate centers. And it wants to fully end the NOAA Research division.
CPR loses a real one today. @startribune.com, cherish this man and give him a premium bus pass.
Hello! A little news from me.
Next week is my last at @cprnews.bsky.social. Later this month I will join the @startribune.com's politics team covering the state Capitol.
Denver, Colorado and CPR have all been wonderful to me since I arrived more than a decade ago. I'll miss this place dearly.
Next week is my last at @cprnews.bsky.social. Later this month I will join the @startribune.com's politics team covering the state Capitol.
Denver, Colorado and CPR have all been wonderful to me since I arrived more than a decade ago. I'll miss this place dearly.
April 11, 2025 at 3:04 PM
CPR loses a real one today. @startribune.com, cherish this man and give him a premium bus pass.