Podcast Title: Boiling Point
Host: Sammy Roth, Climate Columnist, LA Times Studios
Episode: The Colorado Plateau at a Crossroads
Release Date: August 14, 2025

Introduction

In the August 14, 2025 episode of Boiling Point, Sammy Roth delves into the intricate challenges facing the Colorado Plateau—a region spanning Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico—amidst escalating climate change impacts. Joined by Jonathan P. Thompson, a veteran journalist and author specializing in public lands, the episode explores the intersection of environmental degradation, energy policies, water scarcity, and the preservation of natural landscapes that are pivotal to both local ecosystems and the lives of millions who depend on them.

Sammy Roth's Colorado Expedition

Sammy Roth begins by recounting his recent expedition to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Unlike his childhood spent predominantly in urban Los Angeles, Roth developed a passion for the outdoors after relocating to Palm Springs, leading to frequent hiking and exploration trips. His latest journey took him through iconic locations such as Great Sand Dunes National Park, the Taylor River, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. These adventures not only provide a personal backdrop but also set the stage for the broader discussions on environmental and infrastructural challenges facing the region.

Discussion with Jonathan P. Thompson

Historical Context and Energy Development

Jonathan P. Thompson introduces the historical perspective by referencing an open letter his father wrote in 1975, highlighting the early recognition of the environmental and cultural impacts of energy development on the Colorado Plateau. The letter lamented the destructive potential of oil shale development, coal strip mining, and dam construction, sentiments that resonate today as the region grapples with similar issues.

Quote:
"We cringe at the prospects of oil shale development and coal strip mining and the horrors they will visit upon our already desecrated region."
— Jonathan P. Thompson [04:39]

Thompson and Roth discuss how the push for energy independence in the 1970s led to extensive fossil fuel exploitation in the West, transforming areas like the Colorado Plateau into "sacrifice zones." This term underscores the trade-offs between economic development and environmental preservation, a balance that remains contentious.

Recent Policy Shifts and Energy Infrastructure

The conversation shifts to recent policy changes, particularly under the Trump administration, which has reignited the "big buildup" of fossil fuel infrastructure. Despite progress over the past decade toward shutting down coal plants and embracing renewable energy, new approvals for coal leases signal a potential reversal in these efforts.

Quote:
"Over the last, I don't know, six months, it suddenly feels like we're at the big buildup again."
— Sami Roth [08:12]

Notably, the approval of the Rosebud Coal Mine in Montana and the delay in shutting down the Four Corners Coal Plant exemplify the challenges in transitioning away from coal. These developments not only hinder environmental efforts but also exacerbate air quality issues in surrounding regions.

Water Scarcity and the Colorado River Compact

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the Colorado River—a lifeline for seven Western states, including California. Roth and Thompson examine the complexities of water rights, especially under the historical framework of the 1922 Colorado River Compact, which allocates water based on outdated assumptions of water availability.

Quote:
"The Colorado River Compact is written right now, is that the lower basin is always guaranteed to get a certain amount of water. The upper basin... if there's less water in the river, they take the cuts..."
— Sami Roth [26:34]

The Compact's rigidity poses severe challenges as climate change reduces water availability. Roth likens the situation to an unequal inheritance where upper basin states bear the brunt of water shortages, having to give up more during droughts to fulfill obligations to lower basin states like California and Arizona.

Impact of Climate Change on Snowpack and Water Levels

Roth provides an update on the current state of the Rockies' snowpack, emphasizing the detrimental effects of warmer temperatures and altered precipitation patterns:

Quote:
"It's going to be warmer. I mean, it already is warmer. And that melts the snow faster."
— Sami Roth [37:51]

The diminishing snowpack reduces the reservoir capacity of lakes like Powell and Mead, critical for hydroelectric power and water storage. The episode highlights how diminished snowpack not only threatens water supply but also jeopardizes electricity generation, leading to broader socio-economic repercussions.

Wildfires and Ecosystem Degradation

Wildfires have become increasingly severe, with records being shattered annually. Roth cites the dramatic increase in fire sizes—from 20,000 acres in 1879 to over 200,000 acres in recent years—as indicative of the changing climate.

Quote:
"Over the last 20 years, there has been a major change in wildfires."
— Sami Roth [34:54]

The discussion underscores the direct link between climate change and the intensification of wildfires, which not only devastate natural landscapes but also threaten human communities and infrastructure.

National Parks and Policy Implications

Addressing concerns related to national parks, Roth notes a decline in visitation and challenges in park management due to reduced staffing and funding—a situation exacerbated by policy shifts during the Trump administration.

Quote:
"I've heard stories... about toilets being dirty in national parks and just fewer staff to deal with, with crowds and that sort of thing."
— Sami Roth [32:54]

While immediate catastrophic consequences are not yet prevalent, the long-term implications of underfunded park services could lead to deteriorating visitor experiences and compromised safety measures.

Looking Forward: The Future of the Colorado Plateau and the West

Roth and Thompson conclude by contemplating the trajectory of the Colorado Plateau and the broader American West in the face of relentless climate change. They emphasize that regardless of precipitation levels, rising temperatures will continue to diminish water availability, posing existential threats to both ecosystems and human livelihoods.

Quote:
"We're going to see less and less water no matter what happens."
— Sami Roth [37:51]

The episode calls for a reevaluation of long-standing agreements like the Colorado River Compact and advocates for more flexible, equitable water management strategies that reflect current environmental realities.

Conclusion

"The Colorado Plateau at a Crossroads" offers a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted challenges confronting one of America's most vital and iconic regions. Through the insightful dialogue between Sammy Roth and Jonathan P. Thompson, listeners gain a deeper understanding of how historical policies, contemporary energy debates, and the inexorable forces of climate change intertwine to shape the future of the Colorado Plateau and the Western United States at large.

Notable Quotes:

1. "We cringe at the prospects of oil shale development and coal strip mining and the horrors they will visit upon our already desecrated region."
   — Jonathan P. Thompson [04:39]

2. "Over the last, I don't know, six months, it suddenly feels like we're at the big buildup again."
   — Sami Roth [08:12]

3. "The Colorado River Compact is written right now, is that the lower basin is always guaranteed to get a certain amount of water. The upper basin... if there's less water in the river, they take the cuts..."
   — Sami Roth [26:34]

4. "It's going to be warmer. I mean, it already is warmer. And that melts the snow faster."
   — Sami Roth [37:51]

5. "Over the last 20 years, there has been a major change in wildfires."
   — Sami Roth [34:54]

6. "We're going to see less and less water no matter what happens."
   — Sami Roth [37:51]

Additional Resources

• Jonathan P. Thompson's Newsletter: landesk.org
• Boiling Point Newsletter: Sign up at latimes.com/boilingpoint

This episode provides a critical lens on the ongoing environmental and policy challenges facing the Colorado Plateau, offering listeners both a historical context and a forward-looking perspective on sustainability and resource management.