Report

Electric vehicles

2023 State of Electric School Buses in Colorado

Electric school buses are an important tool for eliminating dangerous air pollution that kids are exposed to every day by riding fossil fuel-powered school buses. At the same time, they are saving school districts money on fuel and maintenance while providing a healthier experience for kids and drivers alike. While the upfront costs are high, the combination of health and environmental benefits coupled with cost savings have led both state and federal leaders to provide grants and rebates, lowering the cost of purchasing these new buses for school districts. This year, those programs are bringing dozens of brand new electric school buses to schools and neighborhoods across the state.

Report ●  September 13, 2023

Consumer alerts

Ringing in Our Fears 2023

More than 5,000 phone companies still haven't installed robocall defense equipment. Tens of millions of consumers lost money to scam calls last year, with a median loss of $1,400. We look at what's being done to fight robocalls and robotexts, and what's next.

Report ●  July 13, 2023

Electric vehicles

Electric Vehicles Save Money for Government Fleets

State and local governments around the country could save a total of nearly $11 billion in lifetime expenses by purchasing EVs as opposed to gasoline-powered vehicles for their light-duty fleets over the next 10 years.

Report ●  June 26, 2023

Clean water

The Threat of “Forever Chemicals”

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS, are dangerous for public health. Because these “forever chemicals” are nearly indestructible, PFAS build up in the bodies of humans over time and persist in the environment. PFAS can cause kidney cancer, thyroid disruption, reduced responses to vaccination, and other health problems.

Report ●  June 13, 2023

Beyond plastic

Colorado’s Waterways and Microplastics

Our survey of sixteen water bodies found microplastics in all sixteen. Microplastics threatens wildlife, ecosystems and our health.

Report ●  May 25, 2023

Food & farming

Food for Thought Part 2: An analysis of food recalls for 2022

Report ●  May 24, 2023

Health care

The Cost of Prescription Drug Patent Abuse

Report ●  April 19, 2023

Right to repair

‘Chromebook Churn’ report highlights problems of short-lived laptops in schools

The pandemic pushed schools to provide every student with their own device, often turning to Chromebooks. A laptop for every student is likely here to stay, but now this new tech is failing. That’s because while we know milk goes bad, it turns out Chromebooks have expiration dates too.

Report ●  April 18, 2023

Consumer alerts

The Plane Truth

Passengers fed up with airlines' performance; analysis of DOT data shows complaints quadruple, cancellations soar

Report ●  March 29, 2023

Consumer alerts

Watching Wall Street: Top 20 Actions the CFPB Took in 2022 Making the Marketplace Safer for Consumers

Amidst uncertainty over the future funding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), PIRG recaps top 20 actions the CFPB took under a full calendar year with Director Chopra at the helm in 2022.

Report ●  March 16, 2023