RMCR Weekly News Roundup

In this week's program: Something special happens each summer in the small town of Howard, Colorado. Riders of all ages gather at the Four Bar S arena for a series of horse events that are a tradition, a community, and a legacy.

As millions of people head to the great outdoors each summer with tents and RVs, some are welcomed by camp hosts — volunteers who greet visitors and help maintain campsites at state parks, national parks, and other public lands across the country.

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.

No Kings protests took place in communities around the country, including across the Rocky Mountain West.

Rodeos are part of the lore of the Rocky Mountain West, and a rodeo in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, draws sell-out crowds throughout the summer.

Human-caused climate is driving drought in our region, pushing irrigators to find innovative ways to keep river water flowing, not just for agriculture, but for the wildlife and people that rely on it.

In this week's Roundup, meet Durango's new Indigenous mayor, and learn about a Queer prom on Colorado's Western Slope.

The Trump administration has floated the idea of using public lands for housing, but a recent economic study shows that this is not a viable solution to the country's housing problem, and half of the suitable land has high wildfire risk.

Leadville's annual skijoring competition has been held for 75 years. However, the event is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. KSUT airs the RMCR Regional Roundup on Wednesday mornings at 8:30.