Cold temperatures have settled over much of the Mountain West this winter, but precipitation has been harder to come by, leaving large parts of the region unusually dry for late January.

When the conditions are right, land managers sometimes allow naturally ignited fires to burn. And new research shows that there can be significant ecological benefits when they do so.

President Trump's selection of Pearce has provoked a backlash from many environmental groups and local Western officials, who point to his record of supporting public land sales and the oil and gas industry.

The announcement from Parks and Wildlife on Wednesday came three months after the Trump administration blocked Colorado's original plan to capture a second batch of wolves in British Columbia and fly them to the state.

The First People's Festival took place in Estes Park, Colorado, from January 16 to 19. It brought people from Tribal communities across the Rocky Mountain West together for celebration, education, and remembrance. Hear those and other stories on this week's Regional Roundup, Rocky Mountain Community Radio.