CNN’s Bill Weir explores the Colorado River on season 2 of airing Sunday, April 3. It’s a personal, heartfelt project on Weir’s part.
His focus is the troubling intersection of two trends: populations are increasing while waters are receding. Interestingly, he’s framed his report as an ode to his father.
“This one’s for him … and the 40 million people who depend on the Colorado River to survive,” he narrates.
Weir spent his summers in Colorado with his dad who lived in a mobile home along the Roaring Fork River. “He was a nature lover, self-taught. He’s the inspiration for this whole series for me,” Weir said by phone from New York.
The challenge in storytelling terms is, “nothing’s less sexy than water rights law. You’ve got to find the human story to explain what’s happening on a grand macro scale.” The wisdom passed down from Weir Sr. helps tell the story.
“He taught me to explore the world with wonder. I love the American West, but this is also a love letter to him.”
Weir said this is “definitely the most personal thing I’ve ever put on television.”
“You can see how water wars start.”
