MUSEUMS

Concerns over rising oil prices and the health of our environment have lead to a renewal of nuclear power as a clean alternative. One ton of natural uranium can produce more than 40 million kilowatt hours of electricity. This is the equivalent of burning 80,000 barrels of oil. With this in mind, some utilities are getting ready to build nuclear reactors for the first time in three decades which has created a new market for uranium. The price of uranium was approximately $10 per pound in early 2003 and has since risen to over $100 per pound. Join the Western Museum of Mining and Industry for an evening opening of Back to the Future: Uranium. The exhibit focuses on the history of uranium mining in Colorado by exploring the early prospector and the boom and bust cycles since 1910. Not only is this a story about Colorado, but it is also a story about Colorado Springs as one of the early pioneers of the household Geiger counters. The exhibit opening will be complemented by guest speaker Matt Mathisen who will talk about his early uranium prospecting experiences. The exhibit runs until April 26, 2008. Exhibit Opening is free of charge and will include light appetizers, beverages, and music. Please RSVP by February 14 to (719) 488-0880. Customary admission applies to ongoing dates.