The Flats

About this episode

Ted Conover discusses his experiences living off-grid in Colorado and the challenges and rewards that come with it.

We talk with Pulitzer finalist Ted Conover about his book Cheap Land, Colorado: Off Gridders On America’s Edge. Ted bought land in an area outside of Alamosa where he and his neighbors lived off grid with few social safety nets. His take away? It’s a difficult life with incredible views and intense poverty. But you can find lifelong friends and experience a special sense of liberation.

People in this episode

Guest: Ted Conover

Topics covered

• off-grid living
• poverty
• friendship
• liberation
• land ownership

Keywords

• off-grid
• Ted Conover
• Colorado
• poverty
• land
• community
• liberation

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Cheap Land, Colorado: Off Gridders On America’s Edge

Places: Alamosa

More episodes of The Modern West

• Living with Grizzlies · June 3, 2026 · 34 min
• Mountain Migrations Trailer · May 20, 2026 · 2 min
• The Modern West shares: Our Uncertain Future, an off gridding podcast · April 1, 2026 · 53 min
• The Apocalyptic American Dream: A Cheap Dirt Bonus Episode · March 18, 2026 · 28 min
• Outlawland · March 4, 2026 · 44 min
• Abide By The Land · February 18, 2026 · 46 min