Center of the American West Event Podcast

Eric Sondermann is a high-profile, Denver-based political commentator, writer, pundit, civic leader, entrepreneur, and consultant who is regularly called upon as a go-to source of independent political insight by a laundry list of media outlets across the state and the nation. He is respected for his candor, his independent thinking, and his ability to distinguish analysis from spin. In conversation with Center of the American West Faculty Director Patty Limerick, Mr. Sondermann will share his distinctive understanding of our political moment, providing keen insight, as well as opportunities for optimism.

We hope you were able to join us for a tribute to Vine Deloria, Jr.'s enormously influential book, Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto, and a recognition of the proud heritage of Vine Deloria, Jr.'s long association (as a recipient of a law degree and as a professor of history) with the University of Colorado. Presenters included a combination of people who knew and worked with Vine Deloria featuring his remarkable son, Harvard Professor Phil Deloria, and American Indian historians and activists inspired by his writings. Presenters Included: Phil Deloria, Keynote Speaker James Anaya – CU Boulder, Colorado Law Maggie Blackhawk – University of Pennsylvania Law School Kent Blansett - University of Nebraska at Omaha John Echohawk - Native American Rights Fund Chase Iron Eyes - Lakota People's Law Project Patty Limerick – Center of the American West David Martinez - Arizona State University Faith Spotted Eagle – Native American Activist Mark Trahant – Indian Country Today Robert Warrior - University of

We hope you were able to join us for a tribute to Vine Deloria, Jr.'s enormously influential book, Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto, and a recognition of the proud heritage of Vine Deloria, Jr.'s long association (as a recipient of a law degree and as a professor of history) with the University of Colorado. Presenters included a combination of people who knew and worked with Vine Deloria featuring his remarkable son, Harvard Professor Phil Deloria, and American Indian historians and activists inspired by his writings. Presenters Included: Phil Deloria, Keynote Speaker James Anaya – CU Boulder, Colorado Law Maggie Blackhawk – University of Pennsylvania Law School Kent Blansett - University of Nebraska at Omaha John Echohawk - Native American Rights Fund Chase Iron Eyes - Lakota People's Law Project Patty Limerick – Center of the American West David Martinez - Arizona State University Faith Spotted Eagle – Native American Activist Mark Trahant – Indian Country Today Robert Warrior - University of

We hope you were able to join us for a tribute to Vine Deloria, Jr.'s enormously influential book, Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto, and a recognition of the proud heritage of Vine Deloria, Jr.'s long association (as a recipient of a law degree and as a professor of history) with the University of Colorado. Presenters included a combination of people who knew and worked with Vine Deloria featuring his remarkable son, Harvard Professor Phil Deloria, and American Indian historians and activists inspired by his writings. Presenters Included: Phil Deloria, Keynote Speaker James Anaya – CU Boulder, Colorado Law Maggie Blackhawk – University of Pennsylvania Law School Kent Blansett - University of Nebraska at Omaha John Echohawk - Native American Rights Fund Chase Iron Eyes - Lakota People's Law Project Patty Limerick – Center of the American West David Martinez - Arizona State University Faith Spotted Eagle – Native American Activist Mark Trahant – Indian Country Today Robert Warrior - University of

We hope you were able to join us for a tribute to Vine Deloria, Jr.'s enormously influential book, Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto, and a recognition of the proud heritage of Vine Deloria, Jr.'s long association (as a recipient of a law degree and as a professor of history) with the University of Colorado. Presenters included a combination of people who knew and worked with Vine Deloria featuring his remarkable son, Harvard Professor Phil Deloria, and American Indian historians and activists inspired by his writings. Presenters Included: Phil Deloria, Keynote Speaker James Anaya – CU Boulder, Colorado Law Maggie Blackhawk – University of Pennsylvania Law School Kent Blansett - University of Nebraska at Omaha John Echohawk - Native American Rights Fund Chase Iron Eyes - Lakota People's Law Project Patty Limerick – Center of the American West David Martinez - Arizona State University Faith Spotted Eagle – Native American Activist Mark Trahant – Indian Country Today Robert Warrior - University of

AWe hope you were able to join us for a tribute to Vine Deloria, Jr.'s enormously influential book, Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto, and a recognition of the proud heritage of Vine Deloria, Jr.'s long association (as a recipient of a law degree and as a professor of history) with the University of Colorado. Presenters included a combination of people who knew and worked with Vine Deloria featuring his remarkable son, Harvard Professor Phil Deloria, and American Indian historians and activists inspired by his writings. Presenters Included: Phil Deloria, Keynote Speaker James Anaya – CU Boulder, Colorado Law Maggie Blackhawk – University of Pennsylvania Law School Kent Blansett - University of Nebraska at Omaha John Echohawk - Native American Rights Fund Chase Iron Eyes - Lakota People's Law Project Patty Limerick – Center of the American West David Martinez - Arizona State University Faith Spotted Eagle – Native American Activist Mark Trahant – Indian Country Today Robert Warrior - University of

We hope you were able to join us for a tribute to Vine Deloria, Jr.'s enormously influential book, Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto, and a recognition of the proud heritage of Vine Deloria, Jr.'s long association (as a recipient of a law degree and as a professor of history) with the University of Colorado. Presenters included a combination of people who knew and worked with Vine Deloria featuring his remarkable son, Harvard Professor Phil Deloria, and American Indian historians and activists inspired by his writings. Presenters Included: Phil Deloria, Keynote Speaker James Anaya – CU Boulder, Colorado Law Maggie Blackhawk – University of Pennsylvania Law School Kent Blansett - University of Nebraska at Omaha John Echohawk - Native American Rights Fund Chase Iron Eyes - Lakota People's Law Project Patty Limerick – Center of the American West David Martinez - Arizona State University Faith Spotted Eagle – Native American Activist Mark Trahant – Indian Country Today Robert Warrior - University of

We hope you were able to join us for a tribute to Vine Deloria, Jr.'s enormously influential book, Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto, and a recognition of the proud heritage of Vine Deloria, Jr.'s long association (as a recipient of a law degree and as a professor of history) with the University of Colorado. Presenters included a combination of people who knew and worked with Vine Deloria featuring his remarkable son, Harvard Professor Phil Deloria, and American Indian historians and activists inspired by his writings. Presenters Included: Phil Deloria, Keynote Speaker James Anaya – CU Boulder, Colorado Law Maggie Blackhawk – University of Pennsylvania Law School Kent Blansett - University of Nebraska at Omaha John Echohawk - Native American Rights Fund Chase Iron Eyes - Lakota People's Law Project Patty Limerick – Center of the American West David Martinez - Arizona State University Faith Spotted Eagle – Native American Activist Mark Trahant – Indian Country Today Robert Warrior - University of

Last month, the Center of the American West was proud to present a special Stegner Award & Humor Initiative event honoring Sheriff Dave Ward. Sheriff Ward did everything imaginable to hold his community together during the 2016 Bundy-led armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon. He is also one of the West’s great storytellers (registering, in our opinion, pretty darned close to the achievements of Mark Twain), so this event was also a part of the Center’s Humor Initiative. The Center of the American West presents the Wallace Stegner Award to an individual who has faithfully and evocatively depicted the spirit of the American West. The Center’s Humor Initiative honors those individuals whose skills and temperaments support the Center’s central conviction: A dose of good humor is essential to constructive public discussion, and not coincidentally, to public health. "Over the last thirty-five years, living in Boulder and traveling around the West, I have gotten to know hu

Event Date: Nov 15, 2019 Event Time: 4:00-5:00pm Location: Eaton Humanities 150 Char Miller is the W. M. Keck Professor of Environmental Analysis and History at Pomona College, in Claremont, California. Professor Miller is the first speaker in a series featuring established scholars who are also accomplished practitioners of Applied History. This event was a part of a Mellon funded program in Applied History entitled "Weekends with the Accomplished." In addition to the lectures, the Applied History program provides a number of other opportunities for graduate students and recent Ph.D.s to home their outreach skills.

Bipartisanship (and friendship) happen! An evening with Congressman Bob Beauprez and Senator Mark Udall Event Date: Dec 10, 2019 Event Time: 6:30 PM Location: Glenn Miller Ballroom, UMC We hope you were able to join us for a public conversation between former Republican Congressman Bob Beauprez and former Democratic Congressman and Senator Mark Udall. The evening began with a discussion of their sturdy and long-lasting friendship, and then moved to a wide-ranging conversation about issues on which they agree, disagree, and half-agree! The Center of the American West's Faculty Director and Chair of the Board, Patty Limerick, and the Moses Lasky Professor of Law Emeritus at the University of Colorado, Charles Wilkinson moderated the conversation. Bob Beauprez served as Chairman of the Colorado Republican Party from 1999-2002. In 2002, Bob was elected as the first representative from Colorado's seventh congressional district and re-elected in 2004. He was the Republican nominee for Governor in 2006 and 2014. In

The Colorado Scientific Society, in collaboration with the Center of the American West, presents Water & Energy in Colorado. The four-day virtual symposium, hosted by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, focused on the science and cultural issues at the interface between water and energy in Colorado. Moderated by Patty Limerick, water and energy specialists together with insightful commentators on Colorado’s present challenges and future opportunities, highlighted some of the most important issues facing our community today and in the future. The emphasis will center on science that frames these topics, but also will incorporate cultural contexts and identify common ground and collaborative opportunities.

The Colorado Scientific Society, in collaboration with the Center of the American West, presents Water & Energy in Colorado. The four-day virtual symposium, hosted by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, focused on the science and cultural issues at the interface between water and energy in Colorado. Moderated by Patty Limerick, water and energy specialists together with insightful commentators on Colorado’s present challenges and future opportunities, highlighted some of the most important issues facing our community today and in the future. The emphasis will center on science that frames these topics, but also will incorporate cultural contexts and identify common ground and collaborative opportunities.

The Colorado Scientific Society, in collaboration with the Center of the American West, presents Water & Energy in Colorado. The four-day virtual symposium, hosted by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, focused on the science and cultural issues at the interface between water and energy in Colorado. Moderated by Patty Limerick, water and energy specialists together with insightful commentators on Colorado’s present challenges and future opportunities, highlighted some of the most important issues facing our community today and in the future. The emphasis will center on science that frames these topics, but also will incorporate cultural contexts and identify common ground and collaborative opportunities.

The Colorado Scientific Society, in collaboration with the Center of the American West, presents Water & Energy in Colorado. The four-day virtual symposium, hosted by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, focused on the science and cultural issues at the interface between water and energy in Colorado. Moderated by Patty Limerick, water and energy specialists together with insightful commentators on Colorado’s present challenges and future opportunities, highlighted some of the most important issues facing our community today and in the future. The emphasis will center on science that frames these topics, but also will incorporate cultural contexts and identify common ground and collaborative opportunities.

Lunch with Limerick is a one-hour virtual lunch-time series where Patty Limerick interviews a range of guests on current issues and a variety of topics relevant to the West and beyond. In a conversation with Center Faculty Director Patty Limerick, business turnaround artist Gus Halas offered stories and insights drawn from the years he has spent observing the capacity of human beings to stop short of the brink of calamity. He lead us on a searching exploration of our nation's dilemmas and an appraisal of the craft of leadership required to address those dilemmas. Mr. Halas has the temperament, experience, and insight to provide a fresh and illuminating perspective on the condition of the United States in 2020. Moreover, his personal history gives him a grounded view of American ideals and the promise of this nation; he came to the United States as an 11-year-old, when his home country of Greece was in a very troubled state. If you ever wondered why the term is "turnaround artist," instead of "turnaround op

Lunch with Limerick is a one-hour virtual lunch-time series where Patty Limerick interviews a range of guests on current issues and a variety of topics relevant to the West and beyond. In 2020, reasons for gloom over the state of American governance are in over-supply. People looking for a remedy for that despair may wonder where to turn. On September 25, when Patty Limerick interviewed Jim Ogsbury, the Executive Director of the Western Governors Association (WGA), the Center offered one such remedy. In a time of intense polarization and divisiveness, the Western Governors Association has charted a distinctive course in confronting serious problems and steering clear of the traps set by antagonism, grandstanding, and acrimony. In the words of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, "the states are the laboratories of democracy," and Mr. Ogsbury has been an influential figure in those arenas of experimentation. Qualities and practices prized by the Center of the American West— robust humor and lively story

In 2020, only a pathologically cheerful individual could say that the United States is a nation in a state of health. Between the malady of the coronavirus and the affliction of divisive polarization, the current state of affairs puts a premium on the chance to talk with an accomplished historian of American attitudes toward health and disease. A professor at Boston College, Conevery Valencius teaches courses on environmental history and the history of science and medicine. In her book, The Health of the Country: How American Settlers Understood Themselves and Their Land, Professor Valencius uncovers a close tie between the ways that mid-nineteenth-century Americans understood the landscapes and communities where they settled, and the ways they thought about their own bodies. Her conversation with Patty Limerick did not deliver a comprehensive diagnosis of the nation's condition, but proposed new interpretations and raised insightful questions addressing ideas about health and disease that many Americans now

Lunch with Limerick is a one-hour virtual lunch-time series where Patty Limerick interviews a range of guests on current issues and a variety of topics relevant to the West and beyond. For decades, the Postal Service held the contradictory roles of the most taken-for-granted federal agency and the federal agency with the most consistent impact on the daily lives of Americans. In 2020, the pandemic and the impending presidential election completely overthrew that "taken-for-granted" part. Concerns that in-person voting would enhance the spread of Covid-19 led to a widespread recognition that mail ballots could offer protection and safety. At that point, political polarization and divisiveness of the nation placed the funding and efficiency of the Post Office at the center of the nation’s attention. In hundreds of American communities, post offices have been centers of socializing and communication. In that same spirit, the Center of the American West turned out to be the place of convergence for people equip

In a time when many friendships have crashed on the rocks of political division, Dick Wadhams, former chair of the Colorado Republican Party, and Patty Limerick, Faculty Director of the Center of the American West, have maintained a steady tie of mutual respect. Drawing on years of finding each other's thoughts to be always worthy of consideration (and, every now and then, worthy of a stiff challenge!), Wadhams and Limerick invited the public into their conversation. They explored topics ranging from the reasons for the intensity of bitter partnership to controversies over historical monuments. At the center of their exchange they identified the issues where conservatives and liberals genuinely disagree and to call attention to the areas where they might find common ground. "You and I ought not to die," John Adams and Thomas Jefferson said to each other, "before We have explained ourselves to each other." In endorsing this principle, Wadhams and Limerick (who are, thankfully, both in good health) are honored