8/3/18 - West Elk Word : Jonathan Thompson - Gold King Mine Spill

On August 5, 2015, the toxic secrets of the Gold King Mine spilled forth. Crews accidentally breached a plug holding back mine wastes. Within hours, three million gallons of heavy metals-laden wastewater spilled into area watersheds and through downstream towns and farms. Author Jonathan Thompson has written a book, "River of Lost Souls," that documents what became one of Colorado's worst environmental disasters. On this episode of West Elk Word, KBUT's weekly public affairs interview program, we spoke with Thompson about the toxic history of mining in Colorado and whether a similar spill could happen in Gunnison County.