Gray Territory: Solutions for Coexistence (S5 Ep4)
Laws of Notion
There are many tools being tested and deployed to help make coexistence with wolves a reality. Range riders provide a human presence on the landscape night after night to keep wolves at bay. Ongoing conversations between wolf advocates and ranchers to build understanding. Raising money across the state to support non-lethal deterrents for the people who need them most. Testing modern-day technologies like AI alongside traditional ones out in the field to give ranchers a toolbox of options to protect...
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Gray Territory: Can We Coexist with Wolves? (S5 Ep3)
Laws of Notion
The reintroduction of wolves has created a new reality for many ranchers. While many expected challenges when reintroducing a large predator, the experience on the ground has proven to be both more complex and emotional than they anticipated. The story of the Copper Creek wolf pack brought this to the forefront and has dominated Colorado news headlines. Not only were they some of the first wolves born from the reintroduction effort, but also because of their threat to livestock. In...
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Gray Territory: Whose Voice Counts? (S5 Ep2)
Laws of Notion
How does the diversity of society’s values and perspectives get incorporated into wildlife decisions? In this episode, we explore the gap between democratic ideals and messy reality, how a vote becomes policy and then becomes lived experience, and who gets heard along the way. We examine how the vote for wolf reintroduction became politicized along partisan lines and whether ballot initiatives undermine scientific expertise in wildlife management. And as the vote evolved into a reintroduction plan, hear both the excitement for the first reintroduced wolves on the ground and the...
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Gray Territory: Wolves Are Back (S5 Ep1)
Laws of Notion
By a razor-thin margin in 2020, Colorado voters decided to bring gray wolves back to the landscape. Now, paws are on the ground, and real work is just beginning. For some, wolves returning to the landscape feels like tightening the vice on the already challenging profession of ranching. Yet for others, wolves mean the restoration of an ecosystem that humans deliberately interfered with. What is really behind the tension over wolf reintroduction? Why did it get on the ballot in the first place, and how did this become such a polarizing issue? Learn more about the podcast at and...
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Trailer: Gray Territory (S5)
Laws of Notion
Colorado is the first state to intentionally bring back wolves by popular vote. But voting was just the beginning. From the ballot box to paws on the ground, join us for a new limited series that takes a deeper look at wolf reintroduction and explores the complicated reality of coexistence. Season five of the award-winning podcast Laws of Notion starts Oct. 29. Learn more about the podcast at and . Sign-up for the . Follow us on , , , . If you like our work, consider making a tax-deductible . The Institute for Science & Policy is a...
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Laws of Notion Presents: Wasting Away (The Modern West podcast)
Laws of Notion
We are excited to share an episode from our friends at Wyoming Public Media, who produce the The Modern West, a podcast documenting the evolving identity of the American West. Hop in a pickup as we head out into the National Elk Refuge outside Jackson, WY, to hear all about the debate over whether to wean elk off winter feeding before chronic wasting disease strikes. This is a story about science, politics, and the messy reality of managing wildlife in the American West. Check out this episode, titled “Wasting Away”, and listen and subscribe to the podcast...
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The Compass Series: Building Trust with Cary Funk
Laws of Notion
is a short mini-series exploring the critical topics at the intersection of science, policy, and human behavior. In Episode 5: Building Trust, we interview Dr. Cary Funk, Senior Advisor for Public Engagement with Science for the Aspen Institute Science & Society Program. Cary brings us deep insight to help us understand the current landscape of trust in science, as well as practical approaches to strengthening it. Learn more about Cary's work at the Aspen Institute at Get additional resources on our webpage, . Host: Kristan Uhlenbrock ...
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The Compass Series: Colorado’s Scientific Ecosystem with Dan Powers
Laws of Notion
is a short mini-series exploring the critical topics at the intersection of science, policy, and human behavior. In Episode 4: The Value of Scientific Research, we discuss critical role of federally funded research in Colorado with Dan Powers, Executive Director of CO-LABS, a Colorado non-profit consortium of over 30 federally funded research labs, joint research university institutes, technology companies, and economic development organizations that nurture and champion Colorado as a global leader in scientific research and technology. Learn more about CO-LABS at . Get...
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The Compass Series: Tackling Misinformation with Lori Robertson
Laws of Notion
is a short mini-series exploring the critical topics at the intersection of science, policy, and human behavior. In Episode 3: Tackling Misinformation, we discuss the critical role of fact-checking in our media ecosystem with Lori Robertson, Director of the nonpartisan, nonprofit FactCheck.org. In this interview with Lori, we talk about monitoring the factual accuracy of statements made by politicians, determining fact from fiction, and how we can all do a better job of thinking before sharing. Learn more about Lori’s work at Get additional resources...
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The Compass Series: Embracing Uncertainty with Christie Aschwanden
Laws of Notion
is a short mini-series exploring the critical topics at the intersection of science, policy, and human behavior. In Episode 2: Embracing Uncertainty, we discuss the critical role of uncertainty in science and our everyday lives with Christie Aschwanden, an award-winning author, journalist, and the host and producer of Uncertain, a podcast from Scientific American. In this interview with Christie, we talk about the ways uncertainty drives our scientific curiosity and innovation, how embracing uncertainty means embracing creativity, and the downsides of uncertainty...
info_outlineToday’s megafires raise questions about how we manage our forests and where we choose to live. In 2020, Colorado experienced the two largest wildfires in the state’s history: Cameron Peak and East Troublesome. Together, these high-intensity blazes ripped through communities and challenged what we thought we knew about how wildfires behave.
Fire has devastating power, but it’s also a necessary part of our ecosystems. Can we learn to live with it?
In this episode, we begin to explore that question through the eyes of wildfire survivors, researchers, and policymakers navigating this uncertain future.
Learn more about the podcast at institute.dmns.org/united-by-fire and lawsofnotion.org.
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If you like our work, consider making a tax-deductible donation.
The Institute for Science & Policy is a catalyst for thoughtful dialogue, working toward solutions to society’s greatest challenges with scientific thinking, empathy, and inclusivity. The Institute is a project of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
Episode Credits:
Reporting, writing, hosting: Kristan Uhlenbrock
Reporting, writing, editing: Carson Frame
Editing, marketing: Tricia Waddell
Production support: Nicole Delaney
Fact-checking: Kate Long
Sound design: Seth Samuel
Original music: Ryan Flores
Additional music: Epidemic Sound
Audio recording: Denver Community Media