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Colorado Edition: A Gilded Communion with Nature

Oil well
Matt Bloom
/
KUNC

Today on Colorado Edition: we’ll look at oil drilling on public lands, and learn about the West’s the ultra-wealthy and their relationship to the natural world. We will also hear about the impact that COVID-19 has had on teens' mental health.

Drilling On Public Lands

Last month, oil prices dropped due to a dip in demand based, in large part, on the pandemic and social distancing orders.  

As a result, some companies stopped drilling for oil. But, at the same time, new guidance released from the Bureau of Land Management encouraged drilling on public lands. 

Nick Bowlin, who investigated this topic for High Country News, joined us to explain what he found, and its significance.

The Mental Health Impacts Of COVID-19

May is usually a special time for high school seniors. There’s senior ditch day, prom and — of course – graduation. But the coronavirus pandemic ended all of that. To help cope with the loss of these milestones, a virtual health program has sprung up to help students and their families get by. KUNC’s Stephanie Daniel has more.

The Ultra-Wealthy And The Natural World

Teton County Wyoming is now both the richest county in our country, and the one with the highest level of income inequality. That’s according to a new book, Billionaire Wilderness: The Ultra Wealthy and The Remaking of the American West.

The book, by Justin Farrell, explores the world of the ultra-wealthy and their relationship to the natural world, and the West. Farrell, who was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, is also a professor of sociology at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. He joined us to walk us through his research.

Colorado Edition is made possible with support from our KUNC members. Thank you!

Our theme music was composed by Colorado musicians Briana Harris and Johnny Burroughs.

Colorado Edition is hosted by Erin O'Toole (@ErinOtoole1) and Henry Zimmerman (@HWZimmerman), and produced by Lily Tyson. The web was edited by digital editor Jackie Hai. Managing editor Brian Larson contributed to this episode.

KUNC's Colorado Edition is a news magazine taking an in-depth look at the issues and culture of Northern Colorado. It's available on our website, as well as on iTunesGoogle PlayStitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can hear the show on KUNC's air, Monday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m., with a rebroadcast of the previous evening's show Tuesday through Friday at 9:30 a.m.

Stories written by KUNC newsroom staff.