Rig To Flip

09/08/2026

River Runners and Dinosaur National Monument fans will enjoy this upcoming event at the Museum of Uintah County, Friday September 18th 5:30-7PM. Come learn about the John Wesley Powell NCA!

07/04/2026

Several Miles of the Dolores River in Ponderosa Gorge has been overrun by the , currently stretching from Five Pine, through Chicken Aspen. The fire easily jumped the river from east to west, climbing the canyon and gaining the western rim overnight. There's a great concern around the fire continuing to move north toward Glad Canyon and Glade Point. One can only hope these fire adapted Ponderosa's, the namesake of the canyon, will survive.

Had it been up to me, I would have released water from McPhee. Water to slow to the spread, give fire crews an easy way in and out, place pumps in the river and build a defensible sprinkler line. Fight the fire, maybe build in some type of water compensation to Powell releases.

Regardless, wondering about the intensity of this fire has been on constant loop. Is it crowning down there? How hot and fast is the spread? Definitely stressed overall for this precious ribbon of habitat and iconic canyons. An uncertain heartache, that knows deep down, fire is a form of renewal.

Though Ponderosas may not have as firm a place in this hotter, drier world humans have created. We bare a burden for this outcome. Distracted by the stupidity of culture wars, the fires burn.

Whenever this comes to pass, I'll venture into these canyons to see this canyon firsthand. Until then, do whatever you can to bring some rain.

06/16/2026

The lease surge driven by the trump administration is forcing round after round of public land offerings is putting Colorado’s public trust and hard‑won conservation investments at immediate risk.

The BLM manages not only 8.3 million surface acres, but a 27.1 million‑acre subsurface mineral estate. Leases can be granted beneath privately owned, county, or state‑conserved lands. Once issued, 10‑year leases become valid existing rights, tying the landscape’s future to industry and undermining state and local efforts to protect wildlife habitat, build outdoor recreation economies, and honor conservation dollars.

Recent lease nominations overlap places like Tuttle Ranch State Habitat Area, Hawxhurst Ranch, Greater Sage‑Grouse leks, and elk calving grounds; even where Colorado and partners invested millions for permanent protection.

What’s frustrating is that the BLM is refusing basic safeguards like no‑surface‑occupancy and promising only to address harms later in permitting. This hollow promise leaves communities, wildlife, and the public interest exposed and at risk.

Coloradans need transparency, respect for state conservation commitments. We need balanced management that protects our common values before handing over our shared legacy to industry and corporate spreadsheets.

04/17/2026

Moab and All Plateau people, join us for the premiere of our new film, Where the Hell Am I- A Cataract Canyon story.

April 24th at Star Hall in Moab. This isn't just a film—it's a powerful journey of resilience, purpose, and the fight for our rivers.

With special guests Heather Hansman , Anthony Mancuso, yours truly and the man himself John Weisheit.

Be part of the action as we gather to support John Weisheit’s nonprofit, Living Rivers, in his mission as Colorado Riverkeeper. Together, we can defend and restore the breathtaking public lands and rivers of the upper Colorado River Basin.

03/12/2026

Join DRBA, Rig To Flip and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers on April 2nd at the Dolores River Brewery for a screening of Common Waters and panel discussion. Common Waters discusses the current status of river access in the state and begins to look at how to solve these problems.

No cost with a suggested donation. See you there!

03/07/2026

Join us in Green River for the inaugural launch of the Bowline Film Festival!

Available!

The Bowline Film Festival, a new cinematic celebration dedicated to the rivers, landscapes, and cultures of the Colorado Plateau, is thrilled to announce its official launch! Slated for March 20th – 21st, 2026, the festival will be held in Green River, Utah, in collaborative partnership with the esteemed John Wesley Powell River History Museum.

10:30 AM Start Saturday with coffee and light snacks before a day packed with films and presentations.

First up at 11:00 AM "Echoes of the River" presented by the John Wesley Powell River History Museum. Rare archival footage, historical documentaries, and presentations exploring river history.

Tickets available through the John Wesley Powell River History Museum Website Event Page at https://johnwesleypowell.com/2026-bowline-film-festival/

Prices:
Friday Night Only - $40
Saturday Only - $80
Festival Pass - $100

Rig To Flip

02/13/2026

For everyone who hasn't been able to attend a showing of Common Waters yet, the wait is over. NRS dropped the film today! Check it out:

“…Access to rivers and waterways isn’t just about fishing or rafting or recreating, it’s about the connection we have to nature and to the land.” - Nallely B...

01/09/2026

Hey folks! Unfortunately we've decided to cancel our Silverthorne Event at the Pavilion. We're committed to providing exceptional value and a robust experience, and based on current registrations, we feel it's best to take a step back and reschedule this event.

Thanks for your understanding!

11/28/2025

Read more about our new film, Common Waters touring Colorado now.

A Colorado filmmaker’s new documentary seeks to raise awareness of the state’s murky river access laws

Read more in the comments