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...
NEW: There's been another round of layoffs at the lab formerly known as NREL.
Weeks after scrubbing “renewable energy” from its name, the National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden has cut 134 staffers.
www.cpr.org/2026/02/09/n...
Weeks after scrubbing “renewable energy” from its name, the National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden has cut 134 staffers.
www.cpr.org/2026/02/09/n...
National Lab of the Rockies, formerly NREL, lays off more than 130 employees
The cuts impacted staffers engaged in both research and operations at the lab.
www.cpr.org
February 9, 2026 at 11:34 PM
NEW: There's been another round of layoffs at the lab formerly known as NREL.
Weeks after scrubbing “renewable energy” from its name, the National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden has cut 134 staffers.
www.cpr.org/2026/02/09/n...
Weeks after scrubbing “renewable energy” from its name, the National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden has cut 134 staffers.
www.cpr.org/2026/02/09/n...
Reposted by Sam Brasch
Don was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles.
January 30, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Don was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles.
You work in a newsroom long enough and your heart hardens a little bit, even if you don't want it to. Pieces like this break it back open.
www.theverge.com/policy/86856...
www.theverge.com/policy/86856...
I grew up with Alex Pretti
The kind-hearted ICU nurse shot by federal agents was my childhood best friend.
www.theverge.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:43 AM
You work in a newsroom long enough and your heart hardens a little bit, even if you don't want it to. Pieces like this break it back open.
www.theverge.com/policy/86856...
www.theverge.com/policy/86856...
The NSF just released a "dear colleague" asking for ideas to inform its plans to restructure the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
This includes proposals to repurpose NCAR's Mesa Lab, an architectural icon below the Boulder Flatirons, for "private use."
This includes proposals to repurpose NCAR's Mesa Lab, an architectural icon below the Boulder Flatirons, for "private use."
January 23, 2026 at 11:20 PM
The NSF just released a "dear colleague" asking for ideas to inform its plans to restructure the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
This includes proposals to repurpose NCAR's Mesa Lab, an architectural icon below the Boulder Flatirons, for "private use."
This includes proposals to repurpose NCAR's Mesa Lab, an architectural icon below the Boulder Flatirons, for "private use."
Reposted by Sam Brasch
Colorado lawmakers brace for their biggest battle yet over AI data centers www.cpr.org/2026/01/20/c... via @sambrasch.bsky.social #copolitics
Colorado lawmakers brace for their biggest battle yet over AI data centers
The data center boom is coming for Colorado. Lawmakers are set to decide whether to incentivize it or guard against the potential impacts.
www.cpr.org
January 21, 2026 at 12:44 AM
Colorado lawmakers brace for their biggest battle yet over AI data centers www.cpr.org/2026/01/20/c... via @sambrasch.bsky.social #copolitics
Reposted by Sam Brasch
Breaking: President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act allowing him to deploy troops as protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement persist in Minneapolis.
Trump threatens to use the Insurrection Act to ‘put an end’ to protests in Minneapolis
Trump made the threat after a federal officer shot a man in the leg in Minneapolis on Wednesday.
trib.al
January 15, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Breaking: President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act allowing him to deploy troops as protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement persist in Minneapolis.
Reposted by Sam Brasch
Gov. Polis on Venezuela:
January 3, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Gov. Polis on Venezuela:
Many other reporters are ahead of me of this story, but some critical local context:
Rep @joeneguse.bsky.social thinks dismantling NCAR is partially motivated "by a desire to retaliate against CO" for refusing to release former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters.
www.cpr.org/2025/12/17/t...
Rep @joeneguse.bsky.social thinks dismantling NCAR is partially motivated "by a desire to retaliate against CO" for refusing to release former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters.
www.cpr.org/2025/12/17/t...
The White House promises to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research
Congressman Joe Neguse claims the move is retaliation for Colorado's refusal to release former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters.
www.cpr.org
December 17, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Many other reporters are ahead of me of this story, but some critical local context:
Rep @joeneguse.bsky.social thinks dismantling NCAR is partially motivated "by a desire to retaliate against CO" for refusing to release former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters.
www.cpr.org/2025/12/17/t...
Rep @joeneguse.bsky.social thinks dismantling NCAR is partially motivated "by a desire to retaliate against CO" for refusing to release former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters.
www.cpr.org/2025/12/17/t...
Reposted by Sam Brasch
The White House promises to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research www.cpr.org/2025/12/17/t... via @sambrasch.bsky.social #copolitics
The White House promises to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research
Congressman Joe Neguse claims the move is retaliation for Colorado's refusal to release former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters.
www.cpr.org
December 17, 2025 at 7:35 PM
The White House promises to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research www.cpr.org/2025/12/17/t... via @sambrasch.bsky.social #copolitics
NCAR once represented a commitment to make U S. the world's leader in atmospheric science.
Now the White House has announced plans to disband it — hours before it will likely lose power to prevent wildfires on another extremely dry, hot, windy day around Boulder.
Now the White House has announced plans to disband it — hours before it will likely lose power to prevent wildfires on another extremely dry, hot, windy day around Boulder.
December 17, 2025 at 1:18 PM
NCAR once represented a commitment to make U S. the world's leader in atmospheric science.
Now the White House has announced plans to disband it — hours before it will likely lose power to prevent wildfires on another extremely dry, hot, windy day around Boulder.
Now the White House has announced plans to disband it — hours before it will likely lose power to prevent wildfires on another extremely dry, hot, windy day around Boulder.
After Colorado started reintroducing moose in 1978, the species is thriving statewide.
Ecologist also suspect the ungainly ungulates are behind a collapse of willow habitats in Rocky Mountain National Park.
www.cpr.org/2025/12/08/c...
Ecologist also suspect the ungainly ungulates are behind a collapse of willow habitats in Rocky Mountain National Park.
www.cpr.org/2025/12/08/c...
Have Colorado’s moose restoration efforts been too successful?
Around 3,500 moose now wander Colorado. The hungry herbivores are also threatening a once-wetland-rich valley in Rocky Mountain National Park.
www.cpr.org
December 8, 2025 at 6:49 PM
After Colorado started reintroducing moose in 1978, the species is thriving statewide.
Ecologist also suspect the ungainly ungulates are behind a collapse of willow habitats in Rocky Mountain National Park.
www.cpr.org/2025/12/08/c...
Ecologist also suspect the ungainly ungulates are behind a collapse of willow habitats in Rocky Mountain National Park.
www.cpr.org/2025/12/08/c...
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.