Hot, dry weather and abundant fuels created the perfect storm for lightning-caused fires on the Western Slope and in southeastern Utah. Drought forecasters are predicting little relief later this summer.

Fewer women will be insured and access to reproductive care will be reduced — among the biggest impacts.

The Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to go ahead with firing thousands of federal workers across several agencies. Advocates worry that if a lower court rules the firings are illegal, agencies will be too hollowed-out to hire workers back.

In this week’s Regional Roundup, it’s all about books and storytelling.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff detected the larval stage of the zebra mussel in the Colorado River in New Castle in June, giving researchers a hint as to its origins in the basin.

New analysis shows that rural areas are just as likely to be impacted by extreme heat as urban areas, but these places require different solutions to mitigate those impacts.

Gen Zers are increasingly worried about a warming world. Sarah Newman and Leslie Davenport, who presented at Aspen Ideas Festival over the weekend, are providing resources to help navigate those emotions.

Federal money for solar projects, especially for smaller rural farms, could be at risk as Congress attempts to pass a federal budget through reconciliation. Small farms in the Mountain West could lose out on those benefits.

Agriculture in the Rocky Mountains is shaped by a short growing season, semi-arid climate, and severe weather events. Human-caused climate change is making these challenges even more difficult for farmers. Some farmers are looking to solar power as part of the solution, installing panels directly alongside their crops. While this could make farms more resilient, the costs can be too steep for some, especially family farms.

A Republican proposal to sell off public land may not make the final budget bill. The measure had drawn criticism from Democrats and environmental groups. But some conservatives were also opposed to it. Isaiah Menning with the American Conservation Coalition, a conservative environmental group, says conservation is a conservative value.