---
title: Before the Reactor: Uranium Milling in Canyon City, CO - Episode 92 - Wyoming Liberty Group - Wyoming Liberty Group
description: Spent nuclear fuel from reactors is just one part of the nuclear fuel cyclebut what happens at the front end of the cycle?
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\[!\[Wyoming Liberty Group\](https://wyliberty.org/images/2020/06/01/wy-logo-lg-trees.png)!\[Wyoming Liberty Group\](https://wyliberty.org/images/2020/06/01/wy-logo-sm-trees.png)\](https://wyliberty.org/) \[\](#)- \[Home\](https://wyliberty.org/) - \[About\](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) - \[Who We Are\](https://wyliberty.org/about/who-we-are) - \[Core Principles\](https://wyliberty.org/about/core-principles) - \[Staff &amp; Board\](https://wyliberty.org/about/staff) - \[Current Posts\](https://wyliberty.org/current-posts) - \[Topics\](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) - \[Wyliberty Policy Compass\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/wyliberty-policy-compass) - \[Economic\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/economic) - \[Education\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/education) - \[Election Security Standards\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/election-security-standards) - \[Energy and Resources\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/energy-and-resources) - \[Eye on the Issues\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues) - \[Government Programs\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-programs) - \[Health Care\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/health-care) - \[Keep Wyoming Strong\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/keep-wyoming-strong) - \[Legal\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/legal-perspectives) - \[Limited Government\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/limited-government) - \[Marijuana/THC\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/marijuana-thc) - \[Political\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/political-perspectives) - \[Property Rights\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/property-rights) - \[Regulation\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-regulation) - \[Spotlight on WyLiberty\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/spotlight-on-wyliberty) - \[Timeless Topics\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/timeless-topics) - \[Transparency\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-transparency) - \[Get Involved\](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) - \[Donation/Membership\](https://wyliberty.org/get-involved/donate) - \[Newsletter\](https://mailchi.mp/3d5c211df744/newsletter-sign-up) - \[Contact \](https://wyliberty.org/contact) - \[Search\](https://wyliberty.org/search) ## Learn About ### Transparency <a></a> Font size: \[ &amp;plus; \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) \[ – \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) \[ Print \](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/before-the-reactor-uranium-milling-in-canyon-city-co-episode-92?tmpl=component&amp;print=1&amp;format=print "Print") # Before the Reactor: Uranium Milling in Canyon City, CO - Episode 92 \[Energy and Resources\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/energy-and-resources) \[Transparency\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-transparency) \[Eye on the Issues\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues) Wednesday, 05 March 2025 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. \[ \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) \[ \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) \[ \](https://wyliberty.org/javascript:void(0);) Tags: \[Nuclear\](https://wyliberty.org/blog-tags/nuclear) \[Nuclear Power\](https://wyliberty.org/blog-tags/nuclear-power) \[Eye on the Issues\](https://wyliberty.org/blog-tags/eye-on-the-issues) \[Video\](https://wyliberty.org/videos) \[ Storing Nuclear Waste in Casks - An Issue of Conce... \](https://wyliberty.org/blog/energy-and-resources/storing-nuclear-waste-in-casks) \[ Manufacturing Small Nuclear Reactors - What would ... \](https://wyliberty.org/blog/energy-and-resources/manufacturing-small-nuclear-reactors-what-would-they-mean-for-wyoming) #### Related Posts ### \[The Truth About Economic Development Incentives - episode 110\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/economic/the-truth-about-economic-development-incentives-episode-110) \[Economic\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/economic) ### \[Reviewing Wyoming's Budget Session with Rep. Tomi Strock - episode 109\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/political-perspectives/reviewing-wyomings-budget-session-with-rep-tomi-strock-episode-109) \[Political\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/political-perspectives) ### \[Nuclear Energy, Data Centers, and the Bigger Policy Picture with Eric Epstein - Episode 108\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/nuclear-energy-data-centers-and-the-bigger-policy-picture-with-eric-epstein-episode-108) \[Eye on the Issues\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues) ### \[Wyoming Secretary of State on Elections and Economic Policy - Episode 107\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/wyoming-secretary-of-state-on-elections-and-economic-policy-episode-107) \[Eye on the Issues\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues) ### \[WY 2026 HB 46 - Electricity From Solar and Nuclear Resources - Taxation\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/energy-and-resources/wy-2026-hb-46-electricity-from-solar-and-nuclear-resources-taxation) \[Energy and Resources\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/energy-and-resources) ### \[Rethinking Degree Requirements in Wyoming Government Jobs - Episode 106\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/rethinking-degree-requirements-in-wyoming-government-jobs-episode-106) \[Eye on the Issues\](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues) !\[logo white 002\](https://wyliberty.org/images/general\_art/logo\_white\_002.png) \*\*Wyoming Liberty Group\*\* P.O. 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