When Carly Senst, the epidemiologist for Pitkin County, heard in late August that the county probably had its first-ever case of West Nile virus, she wasn’t exactly surprised. “It was more like, ‘Yep, all right, it’s happening,’” she said.
Author Archives: Elizabeth Stewart-Severy
Elizabeth Stewart-Severy is a freelance journalist based in Snowmass Village. She grew up in Aspen and has worked as an editor at Aspen Journalism, reporter at Aspen Public Radio and an English and journalism teacher at Aspen High School.
Posted inEnvironment
Pandora’s expansion proceeding on track with logging, lift construction
To facilitate the new terrain expansion that will add 153 acres to the ski area, Pitkin County and the U.S. Forest Service approved clearing up to 106 acres of trees for gladed and traditional ski runs. This will require cutting an estimated 4,226 tons of timber over three years.
Posted inEnvironment
Smoke waves expected to intensify, continue to threaten public health across Colorado and the West
Researchers expect more smoke days per year, while public health experts uncover far-reaching consequences
Posted inEnvironment
Increase in human-caused bear deaths raises concern for forest health
When natural foods aren’t abundant, bears are forced to move around more, searching for calories. This makes bears more vulnerable to hunters, and it also leads to an increase in roadkills and conflicts in developed areas.
Posted inEnvironment
CORE funding at risk; ‘transition year’ ahead
Fees from Pitkin County’s Renewable Energy Mitigation Program are likely to continue to decline because of recent changes to the building and energy codes.
Posted inEnvironment
Pitkin County targets building codes in effort to reduce emissions
Recent changes to Pitkin County’s land-use and energy codes hold new and renovated residential buildings to strict efficiency standards that officials say will significantly reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
Posted inEnvironment
COVID-19 brings extra hazards to wildfire season
Wildland firefighters across the country are working together to share information and best practices, mostly through a website called Wildland Fire Lessons Learned.
Posted inEnvironment
Forest Service plans for fire season, tourist season amid COVID-19 concerns
Every summer, the White River National Forest brings on more than 100 seasonal employees. Many of them live in tight quarters and bunkhouses, but not this year.
Posted inEnvironment
Environmental nonprofits adjust to life in a pandemic
Amid the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, people continue to turn to nature for solace, and local environmental organizations are adjusting to the crisis and working to prepare for what comes next.
Posted inEnvironment
Airport recommendations depend on pollution mitigation, cooperation from airlines
The vision committee is clear that it wants a cleaner airport, but there are real challenges to making that happen.