Matt Whittaker

Freelance natural resources journalist. Commodities investing contributor @USNews.

[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

Marijuana sales in Colorado are headed for their third consecutive year of decline, but the downward trend appears to be slowing, the latest data from state regulators showed.

Cannabis sales from January through November totaled nearly $1.3 billion, down roughly 9% from the same period in 2023, according to the state’s Marijuana Enforcement Division.

Colorado pot sales continue to slip, but market shows signs of stabilizing https://t.co/UDp4w6eOrz

[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

Environmentalists decried the nomination of Wright, who has said climate change is a challenge for humanity but not a crisis.

Denver’s Liberty Energy outperforms stock, oil markets after Trump names CEO energy secretary https://t.co/gSwRcI8EY0

[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

This isn’t the first time RR Services has been hit with a health and safety advisory. In March 2016, the enforcement division said it found potentially unsafe pesticide residues on retail marijuana plant material and marijuana products produced from cannabis grown by the company.

State issues health advisory for weed sold at more than 30 Colorado dispensaries https://t.co/qc9xzFiuqc

[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

Colorado is making $500,000 in funding available for installing electric vehicle chargers in primarily rural homes, the Colorado Energy Office said Wednesday.

Colorado earmarks $500k for rural home electric vehicle charger installation https://t.co/cvLdAC56mD

[Chris Hedges @ChrisLynnHedges]

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[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

One of this week’s news selections focuses on how the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah allegedly uses gold to finance military activities, in addition to cash and proceeds from oil sales. This post also looks at the UN Food Program in Haiti, where many face acute hunger as gang violence displaces people. Finally, the head of the international body highlights the link between the loss of biodiversity and conflict and economic hardship.

The Week in Commodities and Conflict №2 — Hezbollah’s gold, UN chopper shot in Haiti, link between… https://t.co/hRYkoYwysM

[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

As a precious metal, silver offers an investment case that parallels that of gold. But silver's industrial uses offer an investment thesis that may provide more upside potential than gold, especially as the energy transition away from fossil fuels gets underway.

Should You Invest in Silver? https://t.co/uUug7v9o0W

[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

On Wednesday, Mesa County Public Health said one person in the county has died in connection with the outbreak. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment described the deceased as an “older person with underlying conditions.”

Greeley man sues McDonald’s as investigation of deadly E. coli outbreak continues https://t.co/BuC7edAuWU

[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

the video call will include country musician Willie Nelson and actress Whoopi Goldberg, both of whom have cannabis businesses.

Polis, Pettersen to join Willie Nelson in call supporting VP Harris, federal cannabis legalization https://t.co/8IfE726J24

[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

Public health officials including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating an outbreak of the bacteria that has killed one person in Colorado and sickened dozens in 10 states. Most of the illnesses have been reported in Colorado.

Onions from McDonald’s supplier suspected in deadly Colorado E. coli outbreak https://t.co/AVj53Ts1kt

[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

While OSHA has conducted sporadic inspections in the past, the new program will make the practice more regular.

After outreach, feds can now start inspecting Colorado cannabis operations for safety violations https://t.co/u49qqKWk0p

[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

Denver Water estimates 64,000 to 84,000 homes in its service area in Denver and other front-range communities, are served by lead pipes. The largest concentrations of lead service lines lie northeast of Sloan’s Lake and to the west and southwest of Glendale.

Denver Water hoping for more federal funding as it replaces thousands of lead pipes https://t.co/JTji1KAybI

[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

This week’s selection of news focuses on the fallout in energy markets from the escalation in fighting in the Middle East, how conflict minerals continue to fuel the decades-long conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the disruption to global food markets from the war in Ukraine.

The Week in Commodities and Conflict №1 — Iran petroleum sanctions, Congo conflict minerals, Red… https://t.co/lBsoKc8FYY

[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

Part of the Copper Creek pack, the cub was discovered via trail camera after CPW had earlier captured an adult male and female as well as four other pups from the pack. The adult male, which was involved in multiple attacks on livestock in Grand County, died four days after transport.

Colorado parks officials call off wolf capture operation after 19 nights without success https://t.co/lYB5OJqdiv

[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

Escalating tensions in the Middle East have been nudging up oil prices recently, and that will likely translate into higher gasoline prices.

Yearly Denver-area food prices rise, energy costs fall; more-expensive gasoline may be in the cards https://t.co/eHVp0eGtoR

[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

Through Aug. 30, the Lakewood-based Marijuana Enforcement Division has issued eight health and safety advisories, compared with 16 through Aug. 24, 2023.

Colorado marijuana regulators issue fewer health, safety advisories so far this year https://t.co/J4p9aLBjMv

[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

Since CPW reintroduced wolves in Colorado with a release of 10 animals in Summit and Grand counties on the Western Slope in December, 27 cattle, sheep and llama have been involved in wolf attacks, according to CPW figures.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommends denial of Silver Spur Ranches claim for wolf damage https://t.co/6bWYqbhB8y

[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

Abuse included recruitment schemes via TikTok; charging immigrant workers for company-provided rent in “squalor conditions,” job applications and transportation; threats against workers and relatives abroad; dangerous production line speeds; and withholding mail including medical bills, the union said.

JBS accused of human trafficking for labor at Greeley meatpacking plant https://t.co/uis65jyQug

[Matt Whittaker @mattswhittaker]

State crude oil production in 2023 was 13.8% below 2019 levels even though production has been increasing over the past three years.

https://t.co/KsWKZ301zg