Environment

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Study: Oil, gas drilling caused air pollution in West

A comprehensive analysis of emissions and ozone pollution in the Uintah Basin in eastern Utah concluded that the primary source is oil and gas operations.

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Fire causes heavy damage to Steamboat Springs home

There was significant damage, but no one was injured when a house caught fire early Friday in Steamboat Springs.

Steamboat Ski Area rates poorly on environmental scorecard

Steamboat Ski Area ranks among the worst five Western resorts for environmental practices in the newest Ski Area Environmental Scorecard. The scorecard is weighted heavily against resort expansion and expects a number of proactive resource efficiency efforts.

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Yampa River Basin playing catchup with peak snowpack date of April 11

Time is growing short if the snowpack — water content in the standing snow — surrounding Steamboat Springs is to reach the historic norm by the end of winter.

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Routt County seeks cost share with city of Steamboat Springs on ozone monitoring

Shell Oil has installed an ozone monitoring device at a well near Hayden, and the Desert Research Institute lab on Storm Peak is contemplating monitoring ozone levels, as well.

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Buffalo Pass skier escapes avalanche after jumping off rock northeast of Steamboat Springs

“It is taking little additional stress to trigger large, deep and dangerous avalanches,” reports Scott Toepfer of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

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Avalanche warning in effect for mountains near Steamboat Springs

High wind speeds Wednesday night increased the likelihood that the heavy snowfall was being condensed into wind slabs on aspects facing north, east and south.

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2012 brought drought, tragedies and marijuana to Routt County

From a wintertime snow shortage to a summertime drought and extended wildfire season, 2012 served as a constant reminder of how much Northwest Colorado depends on water.

Skier triggers avalanche near summit of Iron Mountain 30 miles northwest of Steamboat

A report from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center indicates the slide was triggered when a skier made a kick turn followed by a sudden collapse of the snowpack.

Avalanche center reports recent snow slides on Buffalo Pass near Steamboat Springs

The largest slide was estimated to be 300 meters wide and took place on a slope averaging 32 degrees in steepness. The avalanche danger is “considerable” at all elevations and aspects

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1,600-acre South Routt ranch approved for conservation easement

The Nelson/George ranch straddles Colorado Highway 131 south of Yampa with views of Eagle Rock, the Flat Tops, King Mountain and Green Ridge Mountain.

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February slide in Fish Creek Canyon opens backcountry skiers' eyes

Fish Creek Canyon was supposed to be a safe place to pass through Steamboat Ski Area's gates and find untouched powder. Any slope can slide; however, and a February avalanche in the canyon highlights why skiers always should be aware.

Steamboat briefs: Steamboat Ski Area to open Storm Peak on Thursday

Ski area officials announced Tuesday afternoon that the Storm Peak Express chairlift will open Thursday providing access to all or parts of Buddy’s Run, Storm Peak Face, Cyclone, Meadow Lane and Calf Roper.

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Controlled burn being conducted on Emerald Mountain

Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue Chief Mel Stewart said firefighters were on-site Tuesday monitoring the burn and will return Wednesday.

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Steamboat Springs firefighters knock down wildfire in Elk River Estates

Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue placed all of its firefighting resources on the blaze that they quickly knocked down before it could jump a gravel road and threaten nearby homes.