Before the Reactor: Uranium Milling in Canyon City, CO - Episode 92

Spent nuclear fuel from reactors is just one part of the nuclear fuel cycle—but what happens at the front end of the cycle? In this episode of Eye on the Issues, we look at uranium milling, a process that can leave enormous amounts of radioactive waste behind. 

Our guest, Jeri Fry, co-founder of Colorado Citizens Against Toxic Waste, walks us through the history of uranium processing at the Cotter Uranium Mill in Cañon City, Colorado, now a "Superfund site". She details how uranium tailings, radioactive waste, and toxic chemicals were left exposed to the environment for decades—leading to groundwater contamination, livestock deaths, and long-term health concerns for local residents. 

Jeri also discusses: 

• The Cold War uranium rush and how Cotter Corporation became a uranium milling hub 
• The lack of early regulation that allowed massive environmental contamination - The 42-year-long cleanup battle, why it's stalled, and the role of the EPA and Colorado regulators 
• The broader implications for states like Wyoming, where policymakers are considering storing spent nuclear fuel 

This conversation serves as a cautionary tale about what happens when industry outpaces regulation and why Wyoming lawmakers and communities should ask tough questions about nuclear waste storage before making commitments.