Episode 7: The Center of the Universe
The Yampa River is the lifeblood of the region. But it's also under threat.
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In the beginning, there was water and there was rock.
The Yampa River is the lifeblood of northwestern Colorado. It's one of the last wild, undammed rivers in the American West.
Nobody appreciates the Yampa's transformative power more than Tom Kleinschnitz.
Now the director of Moffat County Tourism, he's spent a lifetime on the river. He knows that outdoor recreation can be an important part of Craig's post-coal future by creating local jobs and driving economic activity.
But recently, water levels have been dropping.
Climate change has contributed to severe drought in recent years, and the Yampa's flow has gone down significantly. What will it take to protect the region's critical lifeline and ensure that it's still thriving when Craig needs it most?
Bonus Clip
Tom Kleinschnitz, director of Moffat County Tourism, shares a classic story of big water rafting on the Yampa River.
Further Reading
"After 20 Years Of Drought, Western Slope Ranchers Face A Choice - Keep Adapting, Or Move Along," Colorado Public Radio, July 23, 2021
"As iconic Yampa River flows drop, Colorado moves to tighten oversight," Fresh Water News, June 2, 2021.
Josh Veenstra (right), owner of Good Vibes River Gear, is interviewed in his shop by Juliette Luini of House of Pod.
Tom Kleinschnitz (right), director of Moffat County Tourism, is interviewed at Pebble Beach in Craig, Colorado by Kristan Uhlenbrock (left), Juliette Luini (center, holding mic), and Nicole Delaney.
A sign inside the Craig Chamber of Commerce visitor's center showing Steamboat Rock, a formation sometimes referred to as the "center of the universe."
