Reporter

Noelle Phillips

Noelle Phillips is an award-winning, 30-year veteran of newspapers. She has covered everything from local government in rural Kentucky to combat in the Middle East. At The Denver Post, Noelle writes about air quality, wildfires and other topics impacting the quality of life in Colorado. She is a Nashville native so that's the accent you hear during interviews. She's a proud Western Kentucky University journalism school graduate. Noelle believes in holding the powerful accountable and that strong journalism is the best hope for democracy.

Featured Stories

Suncor's Commerce City oil refinery is pictured on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

Environment |
Secrecy surrounds Suncor’s shutdown, but experts say it’s a sign the company’s invested in Commerce City

January 13, 2023 at 8:34 a.m.

While Suncor has said the refinery won't be fully operational until the end of March, work at the site is ongoing as crews repair damaged equipment and work on maintenance...

As the one-year anniversary of Colorado's most destructive wildfire approached, survivors have shared feelings of anger, grief and fear that it could happen again. They also continue to navigate a long slog toward rebuilding that can be frustrating and test the patience of almost anyone.

Environment |
Marshall fire survivors rely on kindness, generosity, therapy as they recover from trauma: “I can’t do it alone”

December 30, 2022 at 6:03 a.m.

As the one-year anniversary of Colorado's most destructive wildfire approached, survivors have shared feelings of anger, grief and fear that it could happen again. They also continue to navigate a...

Environment |
Colorado is producing some of the world’s best female athletes 50 years after embracing Title IX

June 21, 2022 at 3:35 p.m.

Title IX is "the 37 words that changed the world.” Here’s a look at how Colorado embraced women’s sports and produced some of the world’s best female athletes.

If the contamination worsens, wildflowers could disappear and algae could bloom in alpine lakes, changing the waters’ look and endangering fish, scientists told The Denver Post.

Environment |
How Front Range cow waste and car exhaust are hurting Rocky Mountain National Park’s ecosystem

September 8, 2024 at 6:03 a.m.

If the contamination worsens, wildflowers could disappear and algae could bloom in alpine lakes, changing the waters’ look and endangering fish, scientists told The Denver Post.

Even former President Donald Trump weighed in during a podcast interview, repeating unverified claims that gangs were taking over big buildings with “big rifles” in the city.

Crime and Public Safety |
Frenzy over Venezuelan gang in Aurora reaches crescendo, fueled by conflicting information and politics

September 5, 2024 at 8:13 a.m.

Even former President Donald Trump weighed in during a podcast interview, repeating unverified claims that gangs were taking over big buildings with “big rifles” in the city.

Parents and neighbors are concerned about how increased pollutants would impact people's health, especially schoolchildren who play outside at Dupont Elementary School.

Environment |
Adams 14 district, parents at Dupont Elementary plan to fight gasoline storage expansion near school

September 3, 2024 at 6:03 a.m.

Parents and neighbors are concerned about how increased pollutants would impact people's health, especially schoolchildren who play outside at Dupont Elementary School.

A 7-Eleven security guard shot and killed a man Saturday night at a store in Aurora in what police are calling self-defense.

Crime and Public Safety |
7-Eleven security guard kills man in self-defense, Aurora police say

September 1, 2024 at 6:16 p.m.

A 7-Eleven security guard shot and killed a man Saturday night at a store in Aurora in what police are calling self-defense.

A missing hiker was found dead Saturday near the Middle St. Vrain trailhead north of Nederland after family reported that he had not returned from a camping trip.

Colorado News |
Missing hiker found dead in Indian Peaks Wilderness in Boulder County

September 1, 2024 at 6:16 p.m.

A missing hiker was found dead Saturday near the Middle St. Vrain trailhead north of Nederland after family reported that he had not returned from a camping trip.

Weather for the Labor Day holiday will be hot and dry across Colorado's urban corridor and plains.

Weather |
Hot, hazy forecast in store for remainder of the Labor Day weekend

September 1, 2024 at 9:51 a.m.

Weather for the Labor Day holiday will be hot and dry across Colorado's urban corridor and plains.

District attorney cleared sheriff's deputy of criminal wrongdoing.

Crime and Public Safety |
Larimer County settles lawsuit for $5 million with family of man shocked by Taser, hit by SUV on I-25

August 30, 2024 at 1:35 p.m.

District attorney cleared sheriff's deputy of criminal wrongdoing.

After months of searching for a policy, the Durango Fire Protection District found an insurance company in May that would write an affordable policy to cover the construction of its new firehouse.

Colorado News |
Colorado’s wildfire risk is so high this fire department struggled to find insurance to build a new firehouse

August 28, 2024 at 9:15 p.m.

After months of searching for a policy, the Durango Fire Protection District found an insurance company in May that would write an affordable policy to cover the construction of its...

More than 320,000 homes across Colorado valued at $141 billion are at risk of being destroyed by wildfires, according to a new report that influences how insurance companies set rates.

Colorado News |
$141 billion in Colorado property is at risk from wildfires. Here’s how that affects your homeowner insurance.

August 25, 2024 at 6:03 a.m.

More than 320,000 homes across Colorado valued at $141 billion are at risk of being destroyed by wildfires, according to a new report that influences how insurance companies set rates.

Environment |
It took 50 years but Colorado finally met federal standards to lower carbon monoxide pollution

August 16, 2024 at 7:29 a.m.

State air regulators celebrated a rare air quality achievement.

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