Show Summary – Western Skies #167– Noverber 30, 2006

JUDGE REVOKES DRILLERS' ACCESS TO ROADLESS AREAS
A federal judge in California has effectively voided several hundred oil and gas leases across the interior West. The judge said a Clinton-era roadless rule that was reinstated in September applies to leases awarded from 2001 to this year by the Bush Administration. From Denver, NPR's Jeff Brady reports. [LISTEN]

DEMS: SUTHERS FAILS TO ENFORCE NEW IMMIGRATION LAW
State Attorney General John Suthers, a republican, says his office lacks the resources to enforce a tough new illegal immigration law. Democratic house leadership scoffs at his claim. KUNC's Nancy Greenleese reports. [LISTEN]

SMALL BUSINESSES HOPE TO BENEFIT FROM NEW STATE TOURISM MONEY
With the Christmas holidays coming up, Colorado's winter tourist season is about to kick into high gear. Colorado ranks as one of the top states people say they want to visit, and last year tourists spent more than $8 billion here. But not all parts of the state benefit equally. A new law could help level the playing field and give a boost to less traveled areas. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver. [LISTEN]

14'ER FILM ON HOLD BECAUSE IT "EXPLOITS" WILDERNESS
Colorado is home to more mountains 14,000 feet and higher in elevation than any other state, there's 54 of them. And if you're not careful, you might just run into someone at a cocktail party who has made it their personal quest to climb each one - worst case scenario is they'll have pictures or even a video handy. But one Fourteener-head from Aspen is running into trouble trying screen his home movie about climbing and skiing all of Colorado's big, gnarly mountains. The Forest Service says he needs a permit to do so, and won't give it to him. Aspen Public Radio's Kirk Siegler has the story. [LISTEN]

ARCHAEOLOGY, BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE ENERGY INDUSTRY
In the last four decades, there's been an explosion in study of the Southwest's substantial archaeological resources. It's mostly due to a federal law mandating that energy companies and other industries document what they find on public land. We talk with High Country News Associate Editor Jonathan Thompson about what's been found, and a new pilot program to improve the system. [LISTEN]

FEEDING THE HUNGRY VS. FEEDING COMMERCE AT CHRISTMAS
For some people, it's the gifts that ruin the holidays. The endless hawking of gadgets we don't need, the frenzied quest for the perfect present, and the nagging doubt about buying iPods when others can't afford food. Wouldn't it be more fulfilling to buy something really practical for someone who really needs it? Some people actually try, as producer Julie Siple discovered. [LISTEN]

COMMENTARY: FORGETTING THE DAY KENNEDY DIED
What were you doing on November 22nd? That date ring a bell for you? For people of a certain age, November 22nd, 1963 is a day frozen in time, when they can tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing. Commentator Caroline Vulgamore explains why. [LISTEN]

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