The truth is out there, but unveiling it is a meticulous and tiresome process that few choose to undertake.

With his new documentary, Half-Life of Memory, Jeff Gipe has taken on a historical act of environmental injustice that, according to notable activists, is perpetuated to this day.

Rocky Flats nuclear manufacturing plant operated from 1952 until 1989, when it was raided by the FBI. This was the first time a Federal warrant was served to another branch of the Federal government. The plant produced atomic "triggers", which are the explosive cores of nuclear warheads. In 1992, the plant was officially closed, marking the beginning of the remediation period.

Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge is now open for recreation, and plans are underway to build a recreation path that connects the refuge with Rocky Mountain National Park in the West to Rocky Mountain Arsenal in the East. This all comes at a time when Los Alamos has reopened to produce nuclear “pits”, and the US is on its way to produce 80 nuclear warheads per year by 2030.

Has the Rocky Flats site truly been “remediated”, or is this bureaucratic sleight of hand?

This is a story about the fallout that occurs before the global catastrophe. About the plant workers, the unwavering FBI agent who led the raid, the health officials, scientists, politicians, and those who unwittingly moved downwind of a nuclear plant and now suffer irreversible consequences.

This is a story about the Half-Life of Memory, a film that tells difficult truths about the local consequences of global conflict. If you take nothing else from today's episode, please take this to heart - you need to see this remarkable film. Here is where you can watch:

Boulder Environmental Film Festival: 2/2 @ 2 pm & 5 pm

Colorado Environmental Film Festival: 2/23 @ 3:30 pm

https://www.halflifeofmemory.com (Rent or Own from 1/24)

Mentioned in the Episode:

The Struggle to Remember the Nuclear West by Hannah Nordhaus

Rocky Flats Downwinders

Rocky Flats Right to Know

---

If you enjoyed today’s episode and found it insightful, please share it with your friends and family. A special thank-you to the Denver Film Festival and Sie Film Center for screening Half-Life of Memory and spreading awareness on this important topic.

The music for this podcast is Siesta by Ikson, part of the “Tell Your Story” project—a library of free music for content creators. Visit ikson.com to explore the full catalog.

Welcome to Science Matters Colorado, the podcast that explores the environmental issues shaping our beautiful state. Each episode, I talk with experts to help you understand the challenges we face and celebrate the natural wonders we strive to protect.

Today, we’re diving into the world of mountain lions. Recently, Proposition 127—a ballot measure to ban the hunting of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx in Colorado—failed to pass. However, it sparked curiosity about these incredible predators and their role in our ecosystem. To help us learn more, I’m speaking with local conservationist, hunter, and mountain lion enthusiast, David Neils.

David’s passion for wildlife began in Montana, where he started studying animals seriously at just six years old. Back then, without trail cameras, he used creative methods like tying dental floss across trails to monitor activity. Fascinated by apex predators, he often dreamed about grizzlies, wolves, and mountain lions.

David’s connection with mountain lions deepened during a memorable encounter in Colorado’s Never Summer Wilderness, where he was nudged awake by a male lion. That moment inspired him to dedicate over 20 years to studying these elusive creatures. Spending time weekly in mountain lion habitats, he developed a system to map their activity across the western United States, Canada, and Chile. His 30,000 hours in the field culminated in the creation of a one-on-one Mountain Lion Workshop for those eager to learn his methods.

What sets David’s work apart is his commitment to capturing completely wild footage—no lures, dogs, or other aids are used.

To explore more of David’s incredible work, visit Wildnaturemedia.com.

....

If you enjoyed today’s episode and found it insightful, please share it with your friends and family. A special thank-you to the Loveland Mountain Club for hosting a presentation of David’s work and helping to spread awareness about these incredible apex predators.

Get Involved:

• The Cougar Fund

• People and Carnivores

• Vital Ground

• Nature Conservancy

Thumbnail, by David Neils, shows the impact of mountain lions on riparian landscapes.

The music for this podcast is Siesta by Ikson, part of the “Tell Your Story” project—a library of free music for content creators. Visit⁠⁠ ikson.com⁠⁠ to explore the full catalog.

Welcome to Science Matters Colorado, the podcast that dives deep into the environmental issues affecting our beautiful state. Each episode, I talk with experts to help you better understand the environmental challenges we face and celebrate the natural wonders we strive to protect.

Today, we're focusing on algal blooms—an issue that has recently caught the attention of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). These blooms are most common in summer, spurred on by high temperatures and abundant sunlight, and they pose a growing concern for water quality and public health.

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Erickson, a water quality specialist from CDPHE. We’ll discuss the causes and impacts of toxic algae, how these blooms are monitored, and the steps you can take to protect yourself and help reduce their spread.

Though algal blooms are most prevalent in the summer months, the nutrients that fuel them—compounds like nitrogen and phosphorus—are found year-round in many household products. Sarah also shares resources that you can use to check the water quality before heading out for a swim and to report suspected blooms.

CDPHE Resources:

Toxic Algae Dashboard: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/toxic-algae

Report blooms: Tox call number: 303-692-2606 OR email: cdphe_toxcall@state.co.us

If you found today’s episode insightful, please share this episode with friends and family. Special thanks to John Michael from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for coordinating this interview today. The music for this podcast is Siesta by Ikson and is a part of the “Tell Your Story” project, a library of free music for content creators. Go to ikson.com to explore the full catalogue.