As one of the Nation's most abundant and in-demand energy sources, natural gas has also been one of the most debated fuel sources in state legislatures in 2013 legislative session. Driven by enhanced recovery techniques that increase the cost effectiveness of developing stranded and unconventional reserves, gross domestic withdrawals and production hit record levels in 2012. Correspondingly, prices have fallen from a high of over $14 in 2008 to $4 per MMBtu in 2013. the replacement of utility coal-fired generation with natural gas in recent years is a transition driven by cost competitiveness and heightened concerns over current and future emissions standards.
The motivation for this briefing is to examine the large inhomogeneity (step shift) in the observed temperature record at the SNOw TELemetry (SNOTEL) stations in the Intermountain West--Colorado, Utah and Wyoming--and its implications for climate, hydrology and ecological research in the region. This issue impacts the entire SNOTEL network across the 11 Western states.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps) benefits play an important role in meeting the food needs of low-income Coloradoans. Farmers markets provide a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables direct from the farm to consumers. This brief presents key findings of the barriers and opportunities to grow the use of SNAP at farmers markets and direct market producer points of sale. Such efforts have been shown to connect food insecure residents with healthy Colorado products and support Colorado's economy.
