For years, quantum computing has sounded like something straight out of science fiction. Now, it’s getting real. The industry is rapidly advancing, major breakthroughs are coming into view, and quantum could soon begin reshaping everyday life—just as artificial intelligence has in recent years. In this episode, WGA Communications Specialist Eli Jaynes speaks with Colorado Governor Jared Polis, University of New Mexico Professor Ivan Deutsch, and Atom Computing’s Chief Product Officer, Justin Ging, about the state of the industry and where it’s headed next.  He also speaks with Professor Heather Lewandowski from the University of Colorado and Gwen Leifer from Lockheed Martin about efforts to develop a quantum workforce capable of taking this industry to the next level.

Tune in to hear from Colorado Senator and former Governor John Hickenlooper as well as experts and organizations involved in cleaning up abandoned mines. They share why the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act matters, how the pilot program will work, and what kinds of projects could finally move forward under its protections.

In this episode of Out West, WGA Executive Director Jack Waldorf sits down with Governor Cox to talk about the inspiration and vision behind his new WGA policy initiative - Energy Superabundance Unlocking Prosperity in the West.

In this episode, hear about how healthy beaver populations in western states can help restore wetland ecosystems, prevent catastrophic wildfire, promote biodiversity, retain water on the landscape, and prevent flooding. WGA policy advisors Jonah Seifer and Zach Nowak speak with beaver experts from around the region about how these aquatic rodents can help us restore balance to the West’s water systems.

In this episode of Out West, WGA senior policy advisor Jonah Seifer speaks with Meryl Harrell, the Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They discuss the department’s newly formed community navigators program and how it can help disseminate funds more equitably and efficiently.

Last year, as the Chair of WGA, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon launched the Decarbonizing the West initiative. It examined how methods of decarbonization can position Western states at the forefront of innovation and reduce the effects of carbon emissions on the environment. The initiative explored a wide range of engineered decarbonization and natural sequestration strategies – everything from direct air capture and carbon credit markets to climate-smart agriculture and biofuel – all of which present enormous opportunities for western states. In this episode of Out West, WGA policy advisor Abby Pelsmaeker speaks with some of the country's leading decarbonization experts about how these strategies have evolved in recent years and their prospects for the future.  To learn more about these decarbonization strategies, including federal policy recommendations for advancing the industry, check out the Decarbonizing the West initiative report on WGA’s website.

In this episode of Out West, hear about the threat posed by invasive zebra and quagga mussels to western waterways, and understand the ongoing work to contain and eliminate this threat.  We dive into recent detections of invasive mussels in the Snake River in Idaho and a stretch of the Colorado River in Colorado. Those detections sparked rapid and thorough responses to contain, monitor, and even eradicate these mussels. Over the course of the episode, WGA Policy Advisor Zach Nowak sits down with the experts and managers that are working to manage those detections and keep western lakes and rivers free of invasive mussels.  You'll hear from Idaho Governor Brad Little, Idaho State Department of Agriculture Director Chanel Tewalt, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Invasive Species Program Manager Robert Walters, National Invasive Species Council Executive Director Stas Burgiel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Barak Shemai, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Theresa Thom.

The Western Governors' Association celebrated the 40th anniversary of its founding by hosting an afternoon of programming that included fireside chats with current and former Western Governors. Joining WGA's current chair, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, was former Governors - and former WGA Chairs - Steve Bullock of Montana, Gary Herbert of Utah, David Ige of Hawaii, Matt Mead of Wyoming, Bob Miller of Nevada, Butch Otter of Idaho, and Brian Sandoval of Nevada.  Their discussions, which were moderated by Judy Woodruff, the former anchor and managing editor of the PBS NewsHour, focused on the importance of bipartisanship when dealing with many of the country's complex problems.  Tune into their discussion by listening to the latest episode of WGA's Out West podcast.

In this episode of Out West, Jack Waldorf, Executive Director of the Western Governors' Association (WGA), sits down with WGA's Chair, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, for a discussion about their experiences leading the Association.  They speak about the importance of their bipartisan relationships with the other Governors, their aspirations for Governor Gordon's WGA Chair Initiative, Decarbonizing the West, as well as the Association’s upcoming 40th Anniversary celebrations and what they hope the next 40 years will bring for WGA.

In this episode of Out West, Celebrate the West founder Christine Ogsbury discusses her inspiration behind starting the program and some of her most memorable moments.