Aaron and Kate break down the results of Colorado College’s annual State of the Rockies Conservation in the West poll with pollsters Lori Weigell and Dave Metz. The poll found that voters in the West support preserving and protecting public lands more than ever before in the poll’s 15-year history. That’s right—just as President Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum are working to open up public lands for unfettered drilling and mining—majorities of Western voters, including Republicans, are saying “We want those lands protected.” (The poll was conducted in eight Western states January 3-17, 2025.)

News

‘MAGA’ voters in the West still support federal management of public lands, poll finds – CPR
Poll finds majority of Westerners support climate action and conservation – High Country News
Mountain West voters overwhelmingly oppose federal public lands funding cuts, poll finds – Colorado Politics

Resources

2025 State of the Rockies Conservation in the West poll results – Colorado College
Western voters reject anti-public land policies – Westwise
Trump’s pick to run the BLM can’t be trusted. Here’s why – Westwise
Episode transcript

Credits

Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss

Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org

Music: Purple Planet

Featured image: Family hike at Zapata Falls; Photo by Allison Miller, BLM

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