The seven states that rely on the Colorado River need to figure out who will take cuts to water usage as climate change worsens drought in the basin.
About Caroline Llanes | Rocky Mountain Community Radio
Caroline Llanes is the rural climate reporter for Rocky Mountain Community Radio. She was previously a general assignment reporter for Aspen Public Radio. Previously, she was an associate producer for WBUR’s Morning Edition in Boston.
Originally from San Diego, Llanes got her start in public radio as newsroom intern for Michigan Radio, where she covered COVID-19, PFAS contamination, the Great Lakes, among a variety of other issues. She got her degree in history at the University of Michigan and also served as a copy editor and columnist at The Michigan Daily.
When she’s not at work, she enjoys hiking, the Detroit Red Wings, Michigan football, making homemade pizza dough, and, of course, skiing. She lives in Glenwood Springs with her partner and their tuxedo cat, Pepper, and cockapoo, Poppy.
Recent Stories by Caroline Llanes | Rocky Mountain Community Radio
Snow drought in upper Colorado River basin is breaking records, setting up for a drier spring
With a low snowpack, Wyoming still fares better than the rest of the Rocky Mountain region.
Utah youth sue state oil and gas agency, alleging violations of rights to life, safety, and health
The latest in a series of climate lawsuits, ten Utah youth are suing the state over its issuance of fossil fuels permitting, which they say violates their rights to life, safety, and health.
New bill from Mike Lee would see roads built in borderland wilderness areas in the name of immigration enforcement
Lee’s bill amends the Wilderness Act of 1964 to make exceptions for the Department of Homeland Security to conduct immigration enforcement actions.
Fossil fuels expansion on federal lands leads to questions on the validity of the Trump administration’s “national energy emergency”
The Trump administration declared a national energy emergency in January, hoping to spur domestic energy and mineral production. Some advocates say the administration is using the declaration as a pretense to bolster the fossil fuel industry.
Drought conditions have primed Rocky Mountains for a busy wildfire season, hurting air quality and economy
Hot, dry weather and abundant fuels created the perfect storm for lightning-caused fires on the Western Slope and in southeastern Utah. Drought forecasters are predicting little relief later this summer.
Land management agencies at risk of losing more workers as SCOTUS gives federal firings the green light
The Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to go ahead with firing thousands of federal workers across several agencies. Advocates worry that if a lower court rules the firings are illegal, agencies will be too hollowed-out to hire workers back.
The GOP’s budget bill strips hundreds of billions of dollars from renewable energy. What does that mean for the West?
Researchers estimate that energy costs will go up for consumers, and jobs could be lost as Republicans gut clean energy programs. In fast-growing areas like the Mountain West, these cuts could severely hurt grid capacity.
