rssPosts by David O. Williams
David O. Williams is an award-winning reporter who has covered energy, environmental and political issues for the Colorado Independent since 2008, delivering impact journalism on a wide range of topics. A former editor for the Vail Daily and Vail Trail, Williams’ work also has appeared in numerous publications since 1988, including the New York Times, Chicago Tribune and Denver Post. He appears periodically as a guest on Rocky Mountain PBS and David Sirota’s show on 760 AM in Denver. Williams is the founder, part owner and editor of Real Vail and Real Aspen.
Green groups question lack of representation on Denver Olympic exploratory committee
Colorado conservation groups are questioning the makeup of a special state committee set up by Gov. John Hickenlooper to explore hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics – an ominous sign in light of environmental concerns that in part led to Colorado voter rejection of the 1976 Olympics.
BLM sage-grouse guidance ruffles some enviro feathers
Reactions from conservation groups both nationally and on the ground in Colorado have been mixed regarding this week’s U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) guidance for the preservation of habitat for the greater sage grouse.
Udall pleased House Republicans agreed to end ‘political brinksmanship’ on payroll tax
Colorado U.S. Sen. Mark Udall this afternoon said he hopes a deal between House Republicans and Senate leaders to end a payroll tax-cut stalemate signals a new willingness for both parties to work together after the holidays.
Colorado Dems pile on Romney for lack of leadership during payroll tax-cut stalemate
Colorado Democrats today joined the Obama administration in going after Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney for calling a payroll tax extension for 160 million Americans a “temporary little Band-Aid.”
EPA mercury rules hailed as environmental victory for Obama
Tough new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules limiting mercury, lead and other toxic emissions from coal- and oil-fired power plants were met with widespread praise from previously demoralized environmental groups on Wednesday.
DeGette expresses ‘extraordinary frustration’ as GOP House leaders reject payroll tax deal
Republican Colorado congressional members joined their House colleagues today in blaming the Senate for failing to pass a long-term extension of unemployment benefits and a payroll tax break, but senior Denver Democrat Diana DeGette scoffed at that notion on Tuesday.
GOP inclusion of Keystone XL in payroll tax bill dubbed ‘most cynical anti-enviro stunt’
Colorado and national environmental groups today were sharply critical of congressional plans to accelerate a White House decision on the controversial Keystone XL pipeline as part of a deal to extend payroll tax relief and unemployment benefits.
Gas fracking grabs headlines, fills airwaves as Colorado braces for new drilling boom
Only Tim Tebow has garnered more air time and been more polarizing than the hot topic of hydraulic fracturing in Colorado over the past week. The Colorado Independent participated in a gas-fracking roundtable discussion on the Rocky Mountain PBS show “A Colorado State of Mind” this week and also appeared on David Sirota’s radio show on 760 AM in Denver.
Denver, Colorado form official exploratory committee for 2022 Winter Olympics
Colorado now has an official exploratory committee to look into hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics, but U.S. Olympic officials are still playing hard to get in the midst of an ongoing revenue-sharing dispute with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
In wake of new fracking disclosure rule, activists seek still more drilling regulations
There was widespread praise Tuesday for a hard-fought compromise deal that led to Colorado’s groundbreaking new hydraulic fracturing chemical disclosure rule, but environmental groups and some politicians have already started pushing for more regulation of the state’s booming oil and gas industry.
