Battle for the Mountains

Item Information

Title:
Battle for the Mountains
Description:
BATTLE FOR THE MOUNTAINS is an hour documentary about Colorado's high country which will be broadcast on Channel Six Friday, June 26, 1987 at 9pm and repeated on Sunday, June 28, 1987 at 11:30am. The focus is on the issue of whether the beauty of the mountains can be preserved when the thrust is for more economic development. The program ties together all the forces that are impacting on the high country: the ski industry, housing development, timber and mining interests, water providers and tourism. Development means financial gain for the state, corporations and individuals but the utilization of mountain resources adversely affects wildlife habitat, wilderness areas, water for recreational activities and destroys the esthetic value of Colorado's spectacular mountains. The documentary thoroughly explores a very controversial issue. Through extensive interviews the clash of opinions between developers, governmental officials, environmentalist s and local residents illustrates that although money is precious so is the pristine environment that development invades. There are no easy answers. To illustrate this complex problem, the documentary features a proposed ski resort at Quail Mountain, ski development in Telluride; Two Forks and Aurora's Homestake II water projects and the Cache la Poudre designation as a Wild and Scenic River. The Forest Service argues the merits of logging with environmentalists. Although mining is a depressed industry, residents of Crested Butte and Lake City stand guard to prevent future mining of their scenic mountains. Tourism is considered the panacea to shore up Colorado's faltering economy, but the impact of more tourists and more visitors is destroying nature's delicate balance. Indian Peakd Wilderness Area is overcrowded and Rocky Mountain National Park with its seventy years of protective management is having a difficult time preserving the Park terrain. BATTLE FOR THE MOUNTAIN is a thoughtful presentation of the dilemma Colorado faces today. Development of the mountain resources may be the key to Colorado's progress but the mountains are Colorado's priceless possession and unless protected will be lost for future generations. While the documentary is packed with information, one of the unusual features is the beautiful mountain scenery that covers the snows of winter, greenness of summer and golden trees of fall.
Producer:
Mrachek, Lin
Production company:
Rocky Mountain PBS
Narrator:
Mrachek, Lin
Date:
1987
Format:
Film/Video
Genre:
Documentary
Location:
Rocky Mountain PBS (KRMA)
Collection (local):
American Archive of Public Broadcasting Collection
Series:
Rocky Mountain PBS (KRMA)
Subjects:
Environment
Nature
Extent:
00:58:19
Link to Item:
https://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-52-9351cfv6
Terms of Use:
Rights status not evaluated.
Contact host institution for more information.