AGP Executive Report

Climate Courts & Energy Costs: Former AG Bill Barr says the Supreme Court climate case could end up strengthening China and Russia, while critics warn it would raise energy bills for working families. Local Air & Data Centers: Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania hired a Denver-based firm for a $165,000 study of cumulative air quality and health impacts from proposed data centers and power plants. Colorado Water & Disaster Recovery: After months of delay, FEMA released over $90 million in Colorado post-disaster funding, including hazard mitigation and public assistance for storm and fire impacts. Data Centers vs. Cities: Colorado Springs is set to vote on Project Taurus, as residents push back over noise and electrical concerns and the broader national debate over data center expansion. Wildlife in Neighborhoods: Westminster officials coordinated with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to tranquilize and relocate a mountain lion spotted in a tree. Roadless Rule: Hunters and anglers backed keeping the roadless rule intact, warning rescinding it would open protected forest areas to industrial development. Prescribed Fire: Boulder County planned prescribed burns on open space lands, with operations dependent on weather and safety conditions. Western Energy Politics: Routt County faces more scrutiny as the Western Resilience Center submitted comments opposing a Stagecoach Mountain Ranch proposal tied to a natural-gas generation facility.

Extreme Heat Reality Check: NOAA says this summer was the hottest on record for the contiguous U.S., and a Climate Central analysis finds most Americans faced weeks of dangerous heat—another reminder that climate change is driving hotter, deadlier conditions. Oil & Gas vs Wildlife: The Trump administration is weighing expanded oil and gas leasing near Utah’s Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, with BLM opening a 30-day comment period—raising alarms about impacts to habitat and migration. Colorado Water Under Strain: Aurora advanced permanent drought rules, including limits on outdoor spray irrigation and new landscaping changes, as reservoirs sit far below normal. Wetlands Protection Push: A letter urges Coloradans to comment against federal moves that would strip protections from wetlands nationwide, warning wetlands safeguard drinking water and reduce flooding. Boulder Prescribed Burns: Boulder County plans prescribed burns on open space lands, plus slash-pile and ditch vegetation burning, as conditions allow. Bear Conflicts Climb in Colorado: Reports show record-high bear-human encounters tied to drought-driven food stress, including multiple attacks and incidents around homes and camps. Fall Colors Shift Earlier: Drought across the Mountain West may push peak foliage earlier than usual, with trees shedding leaves sooner to conserve water. AI Backlash in Colorado: A new survey finds Coloradans—especially ages 18–44—view AI unfavorably, reflecting fears about jobs, privacy, and misinformation. Tech & Privacy Tensions: Protests against license-plate camera networks continue, including a recent Englewood, Colorado vote to remove cameras over privacy concerns.

Wildlife in the suburbs: Colorado Parks and Wildlife tranquilized and relocated a juvenile male mountain lion after it climbed into a tree in Westminster, prompting a short Eaton Street closure and repeated neighborhood sightings. Pollinator push: Westminster’s Butterfly Pavilion and partners finished a second survey of a one-mile pollinator corridor along the Northwest Parkway, using bee and other insect counts to guide seeding and long-term habitat care. Climate and water pressure: Colorado River officials warned conditions are worsening under the new operating framework, with plans aimed at keeping Lake Powell releases steady while Lower Basin cuts loom. Fire recovery risks: After monsoon rains hit the Ferris Fire burn scar, crews cleared debris and assessed how wildfire-altered soils can speed runoff and spread invasive plants. Public attitudes on tech: A new Magellan Strategies survey found most Coloradans have unfavorable views of AI and oppose nearby data centers, with opposition strongest among younger voters. Coal court fight: A federal appeals ruling against a Michigan coal plant order could affect similar efforts tied to Colorado’s Craig 1 unit. Food and farming innovation: Corteva’s Vylor says it will launch hybrid wheat technology in North America in 2027, with Colorado included in multi-year trials. Beef policy backlash: Ranchers criticized proposed changes tied to importing beef trimmings and shifting slaughter rules, arguing it could undercut producers.

Drought & Water Security: La Veta is bracing for a water crunch after the Cucharas River dried up, pushing the town into stage four restrictions and draining local reservoirs. Wildfire Risk: Wyoming’s Moonshine Fire surged in dry, windy conditions, reaching about 26% containment as crews from multiple agencies worked to slow it. Wildlife & Public Safety: Colorado Parks and Wildlife is investigating two bear attacks in southwestern Colorado, including a camper bitten through a tent and a teen swatted after a bear entered a Durango condo. State Agency Transparency: CPW is launching a free Citizens Academy in Colorado Springs to show how the agency makes decisions on wildlife, recreation, conservation, and safety. Local Stewardship: A volunteer cleanup is planned Saturday at Hawkins Preserve in Cortez, with guided tours and conservation work focused on trails and structures. Climate Context: A new report highlights how people often don’t connect extreme weather—floods, heat waves, wildfires—to climate change, even as impacts intensify. Policy & Ballots: Colorado voters will decide on 14 ballot measures this fall, including multiple initiatives tied to public health and safety. Data Centers & Water: Protesters in Philadelphia are demanding a moratorium on new AI data centers, citing water use and drought concerns.

Wildlife & Public Safety: Colorado Parks and Wildlife euthanized a female yearling from the One Ear wolf pack after continued livestock attacks in Grand and Jackson counties, adding to a sharp uptick in lethal removals this month. Climate & Heat: NOAA reports the U.S. just logged its hottest summer on record, with record warmth across most of the contiguous states and widespread drought conditions. Wildfire Readiness: Senators including Colorado’s Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper warned federal wildfire agencies may be ill-prepared for an extended 2026 fire season. Water & Drought Impacts: Colorado’s severe drought has pushed fall color about a week early, with peak foliage and travel traffic expected to intensify sooner than usual in the Denver-to-Rockies corridor. Energy Policy: A federal appeals court struck down a Trump-era order keeping Michigan’s J.H. Campbell coal plant operating, citing misuse of emergency authority—another setback for coal “reliability” claims. Local Land Use: Moffat County commissioners delayed a data center moratorium decision to gather more public input before revisiting the issue in October.

Radiation Compensation Push: Congress is weighing a bill that could make Colorado eligible for payments for people sickened after decades of radioactive contamination near Rocky Flats and the Cotter uranium mill, with potential medical reimbursement plus a $150,000 payment. Data Center Siting in Weld County: Weld County commissioners approved a Global AI data center permit near Windsor, but residents raised concerns about water use, noise, power demand, and infrastructure impacts. Wildfire Preparedness Cash in Snowmass: Snowmass is piloting a homeowner “protection” program that pays $1,000 for wildfire-prep steps like clearing vegetation near homes, with verification visits before money is released. Grid Bottleneck Fix: A new push argues Colorado and other states should use highway rights of way to speed up high-voltage transmission lines, easing congestion that drives up costs as demand grows. Public Lands & Wildlife: Colorado Parks and Wildlife is urging fall-color visitors to plan ahead to protect natural resources, while separate reporting highlights how drought and extreme conditions can drive wildlife conflicts. Health & Agriculture: A new study suggests H5N1 spread on dairy farms may involve more than direct contact, including air particles and wastewater.

Water Infrastructure & Climate Resilience: Snowmass Village and partners plan to deepen Ziegler Reservoir in Summer 2027, adding 40 million gallons to protect water supply during drought and low stream-flow years, while also opening a rare window for Ice Age research. Recreation Under Drought: Campgrounds around Dillon Reservoir and elsewhere in the White River National Forest are closing or running dry as wells fail and water levels drop, forcing new logistics for visitors. Ecosystem Recovery Lessons: Rocky Mountain National Park reports a dramatic decline in tall willows and beaver ponds in Kawuneeche Valley, driven by drying conditions and heavy browsing by elk and moose—an ecosystem shift that shows how losing beavers can cascade into lower water and habitat. Colorado River Stakes: A new commentary highlights how four intertwined water battles—including the Colorado River—are shaping California’s future as reservoirs shrink and climate-driven runoff declines. Food & Weather Impacts: Colorado apple and pumpkin picking is being disrupted by hail, freeze damage, and a heat-and-dryness roller coaster that shortens harvest seasons.

Climate & Wildlife: A North Carolina peatland restoration effort aims to stop drained peat from burning and emitting about 130,000 tons of climate-warming carbon dioxide a year, with scientists warning that damaged peat can flip from carbon sinks to major sources. Water & Land Conservation: Windsor, Colorado, is buying 70 acres of open space near the Windsor Wastewater Treatment Facility and Kodak Open Space, including a historic Aaron Eaton homestead, wildlife habitat, river access, and water rights—funded through the Open Space Tax. Public Input & Parks: Colorado Parks and Wildlife is updating the long-overdue management plan for Boyd Lake State Park and is asking residents to weigh in at a Sept. 23 meeting in Loveland. Wildlife Conflict: Western drought is driving more black bear incidents and closer encounters as food sources dwindle, pushing bears toward homes and towns. Policy & Species Protection: A guest opinion argues the Trump administration’s Endangered Species Act changes could effectively legalize habitat destruction that would push species like the Gunnison sage-grouse toward extinction. Weather Watch: El Niño is keeping the Atlantic unusually quiet while the Pacific churns out storms, raising concerns for Colorado’s next seasonal swings.

Data Center Debate: South African civil rights groups are demanding reviews and a pause on new data center approvals, citing scarce water, land, and electricity and calling out transparency gaps—echoing similar pushback in the U.S. and Thailand. Colorado Local Governance: Boulder Chamber says it will back a county early childhood measure and Colorado Connector passenger rail, while opposing Boulder’s $400M recreation and safety bond/debt-limit charter change and a statewide fentanyl penalties measure. Wildlife & Land Management: Colorado Parks and Wildlife lethally removed another gray wolf amid ongoing depredation conflicts. Air & Climate Research: CSU-led researchers helped run a Salt Lake Valley ozone study to inform air-quality policy across the Mountain West. Community Cleanups: Longmont kicked off its 2nd Annual Cleanup Cup, starting with a Left Hand Creek Greenway cleanup tied to National Cleanup Day. Open Space: Windsor bought 70 acres near the Cache la Poudre River to preserve wildlife habitat and water access. Hurricane Watch: The Atlantic hit a new satellite-era record for no hurricanes yet, but experts warn conditions can still flip fast.

Climate & Extreme Weather: Colorado just logged its hottest summer on record, with a 15-month streak of above-average temperatures, a pattern scientists link to fossil-fuel pollution. Wildlife Management: Colorado Parks and Wildlife lethally removed another gray wolf from the One Ear Pack after continued livestock depredations, bringing multiple wolf removals in 2026. Water Policy: The U.S. and Mexico signed a new Colorado River sharing deal for 2027-2028, cutting Mexico’s share by 250,000 acre-feet amid a severely depleted river. Courts & Energy: A federal appeals court struck down the Trump administration’s emergency order keeping a Michigan coal plant running, saying the government exceeded its authority. Local Environment & Land Use: Woodford County, Kentucky approved the first permanent data-center construction ban in the state. Outdoor Recreation: Colorado Parks and Wildlife kicked off leaf-peeping guidance for state parks, urging visitors to plan ahead and stay on trails.

Colorado River & Water Safety: A 4.25 million-gallon raw sewage spill from Pueblo reached the Arkansas River in the Lower Arkansas Valley during a very dry, hot summer, raising food-safety and irrigation concerns and highlighting delays in notification to ditch operators. Wildlife & Public Safety: Colorado Parks and Wildlife reported multiple wolf killings tied to livestock depredation, underscoring how drought-stressed ecosystems are colliding with ranching. Data Centers & Climate/Water Pressure: As Arizona faces deep Colorado River cuts, researchers say data centers aren’t the sole cause of the crisis—but they’re growing fast and use significant water, fueling calls for transparency and cleaner power. Legal/Power Reliability: A federal appeals court blocked a Trump administration order to keep Michigan’s coal plant operating, a setback for emergency efforts to preserve coal generation amid rising electricity demand from data centers. Local Governance (Colorado rail): The Front Range Passenger Rail District voted to send a sales tax measure to voters to extend Colorado Connector service from Denver to Pueblo, with earlier Denver-to-Fort Collins service already planned.

Colorado River Water Cuts: The U.S. and Mexico signed a new Colorado River pact (Minute 334) that reduces Mexico’s deliveries to Mexicali Valley farmers by 16.7%, with the agricultural sector taking the biggest hit as Lake Mead stays near record lows. Wildfire Risk: A new study warns that climate-driven wildfires are burning faster and more intensely, pushing forests toward long-term ecosystem shifts. Water Quality After Sewage Spill: Pueblo-area residents are questioning how quickly officials detected and warned about a massive Arkansas River sewage spill; at La Junta, E. coli spiked above safe swimming levels, though drinking water was reported unaffected. Local Water Planning: Aurora Water says it plans to use older Homestake Creek Valley water rights to fill a proposed reservoir, while CPW and other agencies continue public feedback on water and land management. Wildlife Management: Colorado Parks and Wildlife killed multiple wolves tied to livestock depredation, underscoring ongoing tensions around predator recovery. Data Centers & Water: Weld County commissioners approved GlobalAI’s Northern Colorado data center after hours of public comment, with residents raising concerns about water, wildlife, and noise.

Colorado River Water: Mexico agreed to share additional Colorado River cuts under Minute 334, extending drought relief for Lake Mead while supporting habitat restoration in the river delta. Local Water & Public Health: Lake Mead’s decline appears to be slowing near record lows, and Colorado’s John Martin Reservoir advisory was lifted after sewage concerns. Air & Climate: NOAA says the U.S. just had its hottest summer on record, with Colorado among the hardest hit. Wildlife & Habitat: Colorado continues to see record bear activity tied to drought conditions, with multiple incidents prompting renewed warnings. Data Centers & Land Use: Weld County approved zoning for a major data center after long public pushback over noise, power, and water; elsewhere, Nevada’s BLM-approved data center is on hold after an Interior appeals stay. Pollution Regulation: EPA proposed lower lead cleanup thresholds at the Colorado Smelter Superfund site in Pueblo, raising stakes for cleanup timelines. Policy Fight: States and attorneys general are suing over endangered species rollbacks, including challenges to weakened habitat protections.

Colorado River Deal: The U.S. and Mexico struck a short-term Colorado River water-sharing agreement (Minute 334), with Mexico cutting 250,000 acre-feet in 2027 and 2028 and creating a salinity pilot to protect river health. Wildlife & Habitat: Colorado joined lawsuits challenging Trump-era Endangered Species Act rollbacks, arguing new rules make it easier to degrade habitat for threatened and endangered species. Oil & Gas on Public Lands: Two conservation groups sued the Bureau of Land Management over Colorado and Wyoming oil and gas leases, while the BLM opened a 30-day public comment period on proposed March 2027 lease parcels covering 66,221 acres in northern Colorado. Drought Impacts in Colorado: A report highlights how Colorado’s warmest year on record and shrinking flows are intensifying pressure on water supplies, with some areas seeing cutbacks while others haven’t yet. Bear Conflicts: Eagle County released body-camera footage of a bear charging a deputy, as wildlife officials warn drought and low food are pushing bears into neighborhoods. Local Land & Water: Boulder County is asking residents to help identify vandals cutting fences on open space properties, raising safety concerns for hikers and cattle. Infrastructure & Resilience: CDOT and FHWA cleared the way for an $806M I-270 express-lane project in Denver, with construction expected to begin this fall. Public Health & Schools: Colorado’s education department faced scrutiny over how millions flowed into homeschool “enrichment” programs, while Evergreen High School marked a year since the shooting with new therapy dogs bringing calm to students.

Climate & Health: A University of Montreal researcher and former University of Colorado scientist says she left the U.S. after grant withdrawals and shrinking academic freedom around climate-health work. Record Heat: NOAA says the U.S. just logged its hottest summer on record, with August and the June–August stretch both setting new highs. Endangered Species Act Fight: Colorado’s neighbors and other states are suing the Trump administration over Endangered Species Act rollbacks, including rules that narrow what counts as “harm” to habitat and weaken protections for newly threatened species. Local Air Quality: Longmont was named a 2026 Clean Air Champion for cutting emissions, including switching some city garbage trucks to renewable natural gas from its wastewater plant. Wildlife & Public Health: Montrose County reported its first West Nile Virus death of the season. Wildlife Harm From Trash: Colorado Parks and Wildlife euthanized a Durango bear after a necropsy found its stomach and upper intestine blocked by plastic bags and wipes. Water System Recovery: Grand Canyon National Park says South Rim water restoration after flash flooding could take weeks, not months, as crews rebuild damaged parts of the system. Conservation & Land Use: Two environmental groups sued over BLM oil and gas leases in Colorado, arguing sensitive wildlife migration habitat was improperly opened. Community Heat Relief: Longmont opened sign-ups for its Growing Shade program, offering 200 trees for eligible east-side neighborhoods.

Wildlife & Livestock Conflict: Colorado Parks and Wildlife concluded lethal wolf removals tied to repeated livestock attacks, killing two yearlings from the Copper Creek and Three Creeks packs in Pitkin and Rio Blanco counties, while CPW says non-lethal tools will continue during an evaluation period. Bear Safety: Eagle County released details after a bear charged a deputy in EagleVail; CPW determined the killing was justified in self-defense. Water Resilience: Grand Canyon National Park says South Rim water service after the Aug. 29 flash flood should return in weeks, not months, as crews build a temporary intake at Bright Angel Creek to restore supply while permanent repairs proceed. Climate Extremes & Forest Recovery: A new study warns fast, large wildfires in Colorado’s conifer forests may cause long-term ecological damage that prevents forests from returning to dense, dark-green conditions. Data Centers & Public Land: A Nevada land-appeals stay temporarily halts a controversial data center on public land after claims of inadequate environmental review and public input. Invasive Species Prevention: Utah inspected 9,418 watercraft over Labor Day weekend, with 440 at Lake Powell, to slow quagga mussels and other aquatic invasives. Local Conservation: Routt County approved $3M to permanently protect Nottingham Ranch via a conservation easement covering about 17,300 acres.