Tim Drugan

Colorado

Climate and Environment Reporter at Boulder Reporting Lab

Featured in: Favicon

boulderreportinglab.org Favicon

denverpost.com Favicon

aspendailynews.com Favicon

sentinelcolorado.com Favicon

broomfieldleader.com Favicon

insideclimatenews.org Favicon

cuindependent.com Favicon

realvail.com

Articles

Community Solar Buying Programs Provide Discounts and Protections to Homeowners, but Worry Some Companies

Dec 16, 2024 | insideclimatenews.org | Tim Drugan

Solar energy has a pivotal role to play in the energy transition, but photovoltaic systems are expensive. An average homeowner can expect to pay tens of thousands of dollars for enough panels to provide their electricity while the sun is shining and offset some of what they pay for energy when it’s not. Government rebates and tax credits are an increasingly popular way to lower costs. Another method is group-buying initiatives.
Climate change chasing homeowners insurance companies out of Colorado

Nov 26, 2024 | realvail.com | Tim Drugan

By November 26, 2024, 10:37 amThis article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here. David Selden and his wife, Karen, recently moved into the country 10 miles outside of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, after living in town for two years.
Insurance Insiders Say Regulation and Mitigation Can Keep the Industry from Retreating in Colorado

Nov 24, 2024 | insideclimatenews.org | Tim Drugan

David Selden and his wife, Karen, recently moved into the country 10 miles outside of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, after living in town for two years. Both partially retired law librarians, they bought a $1.9 million house after making sure they could get homeowners insurance. “We called around before we actually made an offer,” David Selden said.
Boulder isn't the best, or worst, place to weather climate change

Sep 27, 2024 | boulderreportinglab.org | Tim Drugan |Tim Drugan Climate

With year-round wildfire season, record dry and hot weather, flooding and insurers pulling out, it can feel like the climate in Boulder is becoming increasingly inhospitable. Colorado has already warmed 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1980, and most climate models estimate this could rise to 6 degrees by the mid-century. Yet Colorado — and Boulder — have certain factors going for them in terms of resilience to climate change in the near term.
Boulder councilmember Tara Winer assaulted after confronting man over racial slurs

Sep 9, 2024 | boulderreportinglab.org | Tim Drugan |Tim Drugan Climate |Stacy Feldman

On Friday, Sept. 7, Boulder City Councilmember Tara Winer was assaulted on University Hill. The incident happened at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings on the Hill, something Winer said she was incredibly excited about because she loves Asian food and there’s not enough in Boulder. The event included a cultural celebration, with costumes and dancing by kids. About halfway through the celebration, a man in his 20s came and began yelling.
Boulder residents see soaring home insurance rates, dropped coverage

Sep 9, 2024 | boulderreportinglab.org | Tim Drugan |Tim Drugan Climate

Victor Lopez, a Gunbarrel resident, thought he had secured an affordable future when he bought his home with a low mortgage rate in 2018. But his home insurance, which started at $1,000 a year, has skyrocketed to $2,500. “I’m not sure at what point it’s going to plateau,” Lopez said. “If these increases continue, I’m not going to be able to afford my house anymore.”Lopez tried to find lower rates from other insurance companies, only to discover they were even higher — some nearing $4,000 a year.
đ˘ Boulder approves first micro-apartments on Pearl Street

Sep 6, 2024 | boulderreportinglab.org | Tim Drugan |Tim Drugan Climate

It’s Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. Last night, the Boulder City Council approved a proposal to build 45 micro-apartments, each 300 square feet, on the east end of Pearl Street. While micro-unit complexes have become common in cities worldwide, the development at 2206 Pearl Street would be the first of its kind in Boulder. The project is only possible because of new zoning regulations passed in 2023.
đźŤŽ Apple season's here: Why and how to support local growers

Aug 30, 2024 | boulderreportinglab.org | Tim Drugan |Tim Drugan Climate

It’s Friday, August 30, 2024. Good morning, Boulder, and welcome to the last Friday of unofficial summer. With no city council meeting last night â€” usually the focus of our Friday editionâ€”we’re switching gears today to discuss a local farming opportunity you can help with. Apple season in Boulder is in full swing, but many Colorado apple farmers are struggling to compete with cheaper imports from mass producers in states like Washington.
✈️ Airport closure measure pulled, in Boulder election shake-up

Aug 28, 2024 | boulderreportinglab.org | Tim Drugan |Tim Drugan Climate

It’s Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Good morning, Boulder. I hope you’re well. Today, we’ve got lots going on. First, the most controversial aspect of this year’s local election is no more. The measure to close Boulder Municipal Airport has been withdrawn from ballot consideration by the group that petitioned for it. The Airport Neighborhood Campaign made this decision after the city’s lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration to clarify its obligations.
Ballot measure to close Boulder airport withdrawn amid FAA lawsuit

Aug 28, 2024 | boulderreportinglab.org | Tim Drugan |Tim Drugan Climate

Boulder’s 2024 local election just became much less contentious. Organizers with the ballot measure committee Airport Neighborhood Campaign announced Aug. 27 that they have withdrawn their controversial measure to decommission the Boulder Municipal Airport from the November ballot. A separate but related measure to redevelop the land into affordable housing, which had also qualified for the ballot, is also being withdrawn.