Environment & Politics Reporter
Conrad Swanson
Conrad Swanson covers the environment and politics for The Denver Post. He joined the newspaper in 2019 and previously wrote for the Colorado Springs Gazette, the Lawrence (Kansas) Journal-World and the Sioux City (Iowa) Journal. He was awarded a 2019 fellowship for the National Press Foundation’s Spotlight on Statehouse and Local Reporting Program.
Featured Stories

Lauren Boebert is part of a dangerous religious movement that threatens democracy, experts say
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert's pattern of pushing for a religious takeover of America, spreading falsehoods about the 2020 presidential election and warning of an impending judgment day amounts to Christian...

The West’s most important water supply is drying up. Soon, life for 40 million people who depend on the Colorado River will change.
Seven states -- Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming — tapped into the river and unlocked the American West. But their agreement, the 1922 Colorado River Compact,...

Colorado, Utah tribe worries nation’s last uranium mill is contaminating water, causing uptick in illness
The White Mesa Mill produces refined uranium, vanadium and rare earth compounds used for nuclear fuels, the creation of steel, batteries and electric cars. Residents are concerned those toxic leftovers...
All Stories

Bear hunt called off after wildlife officials lose trail in southern Colorado
State and federal wildlife officials called off their hunt for a bear that swatted a woman early Friday morning as she slept in a tent near Trinidad with her husband...

Lauren Boebertap gun-themed restaurant, Shooters, might have to move or close
One of U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebertap most substantial brands is in peril. The Western Slope congresswoman’s gun-themed restaurant, Shooters Bar and Grill, in Rifle, may have to close now that...

Bear hunt underway after attack in southern Colorado
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials are looking to find and kill a bear that swatted a woman early Friday morning as she slept in a tent near Trinidad with her...

Source of claims against Lauren Boebert threatened, political group says; police investigating
Sources working with a political group trying to oust Colorado’s incendiary Western Slope Congresswoman, Lauren Boebert, say they’ve recently received threats and fear for their safety.

Lauren Boebert target of wild claims spreading despite lack of evidence
he same political group that helped overturn U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn’s reelection bid in North Carolina is now taking aim at Colorado’s West Slope provocateur, U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, though...

Colorado’s bears are growing more brazen, experts say. Here’s what you need to know.
Colorado’s black bears seem to be out earlier in parts of the state and a bit bolder in others, wandering trails, city streets and even into homes or restaurants in...

Rainbow Family settles on Colorado site for 50th anniversary of first peace and love gathering
The controversial Rainbow Family of Living Lightap 50th anniversary gathering will be held in the Routt national Forest near Craig in northwest Colorado, according to a recent social media post...

Lauren Boebert squares off with Republican and Democratic challengers in online forum
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert argued for a second term in office while Republican and Democratic challengers looked for holes in the incumbentap armor during an online forum Wednesday night.

Lauren Boebertap mileage reimbursements under investigation, state officials say
Colorado officials are investigating whether the conservative Western Slope U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert broke any laws by cashing in on large amounts of mileage reimbursements from her own campaign.

National parks to phase out plastic bottles and single-use products, Dept. of the Interior says
Parks, like Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde and Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado, have a decade to identify away from plastic products and toward recyclable or compostable...