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Valerie Richardson

Valerie Richardson

Valerie Richardson covers politics and the West from Denver. She can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.

Articles by Valerie Richardson

Water flows through a series of retention ponds built to contain and filter out heavy metals and chemicals from the Gold King Mine chemical accident, outside Silverton, Colorado. (Associated Press)

EPA knew of ‘blowout’ risk at Gold King Mine

Denver -- It turns out the Environmental Protection Agency knew about the risk of a blowout from the Gold King Mine more than a year before orange toxic sludge flooded the Animas River in southwest Colorado. Published August 23, 2015

Thousands rally against Planned Parenthood in massive national protest

Thousands of pro-lifers turned out in U.S. cities nationwide Saturday for a massive show of opposition against Planned Parenthood, an event billed as the largest simultaneous protest ever aimed at the embattled abortion and health-care provider. Published August 22, 2015

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy speaks during a news conference with U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (right), on Aug. 13, 2015, along the Animas River Trail in Berg Park in Farmington, N.M. (Jon Austria/The Daily Times via Associated Press) ** FILE **

Gina McCarthy called to testify on Animas River toxic spill

The chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee called Friday on EPA administrator Gina McCarthy to testify before the panel on the Animas River wastewater spill triggered by an EPA-led crew. Published August 21, 2015

Pete McKay, San Juan County commissioner in Colorado, looks at the site, Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, where the Gold King Mine breach occurred, north of Silverton, Colo. Local officials in towns downstream from where millions of gallons of mine waste spilled into the San Juan River are demanding answers about possible long-term threats to the water supply. The 3 million gallons of mine waste included high concentrations of arsenic, lead and other heavy metals. Workers with the EPA accidentally unleashed the spill Wednesday as they inspected the abandoned mine site. (Jon Austria/The Daily Times via AP)

EPA toxic mine spill gets Interior second probe

A second federal investigation into the EPA's accidental toxic wastewater spill into the Animas River launched Tuesday, this one conducted by the Interior Department. Published August 18, 2015

Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson took the EPA to task for the toxic spill that affected rivers and drinking water across much of the Southwest. "Under my administration I would bring in people who understand the Constitution," he said. (Jerry McBride/The Durango Herald/Associated Press)

Ben Carson visits Colorado to decry EPA’s toxic spill

The EPA's massive toxic spill triggered fallout Tuesday from Republicans as presidential hopeful Ben Carson visited the site, and a key congressman disclosed that at least two House committees are planning to investigate the incident. Published August 18, 2015

FILE - In this Tuesday, June 30, 2015, file photo, U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., smiles before announcing her plans to seek a second term in Manchester, N.H. With negotiations on the state budget likely stalled until the fall, New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan's political future remains in a holding pattern. National Democrats hope to recruit her to run for U.S. Senate against Ayotte. (AP Photo/Jim Cole)

Planned Parenthood targets Republican senators with ads

Planned Parenthood moved to punish its enemies Tuesday with ads that say nothing about recent allegations of wrongdoing stemming from its fetal-tissue donations from abortions, but instead target vulnerable Republican senators. Published August 18, 2015

Environmental activist Erin Brockovich is pictured in her home in Agoura Hills, Calif., in 2000. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Erin Brockovich: EPA must fire people in Colorado spill

Erin Brockovich, the anti-pollution crusader made famous in the eponymous movie starring Julia Roberts, says the EPA's apology for the Gold King Mine spill "just ain't gonna cut it" and urged the agency to "fire people" if necessary. Published August 13, 2015