The Rocky Mountain region is experiencing more wildfires in the midst of drought and high temperatures. And more of those blazes are being caused by people as our population grows. The job of fire investigators has never been more important. They track down the spark that can lead to prosecutions and their work provides crucial data for studying fire causes. Plus, Colorado ramps up its monkeypox response and Colorado republicans file a complaint against Governor Polis regarding a letter he wrote accompanying TABOR refund checks.

Lake Powell is the nation’s second-largest reservoir. But climate change and overuse have shrunk it to a record low, leaving the water supply uncertain for tens of millions in the Southwest. KUNC’s Luke Runyon took a boat trip to report on the changing landscape. Plus, a lightning strike killed a 22-year-old student participating in a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) educator course last week in northwest Wyoming.

President Biden signed an executive order Wednesday, he says will make it easier for people to travel to other states for abortions. A bill to improve the country’s road and mountain biking infrastructure passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week. And, a sound rich visit to hear The Casper Trooper's new show. The nation's oldest drum and bugle corps reunite after taking two years off due to the pandemic.

Nearly 7,000 Coloradans pushed into onerous student loan repayment terms can expect checks in the mail as soon as this week as part of a settlement agreement. Navient, one of the country’s largest student loan servicers, has been ordered to provide 1.85 billion dollars in relief to borrowers nationwide. Navient will forgive around 35 million dollars of student loan debt of more than 1300 Coloradans and send out restitution payments to around 7000 more.

Mountain towns in Colorado have seen an influx of development in recent years. Much of it has been concentrated in luxury tourism or housing, which has driven up costs and pushed out many locals. One town near Telluride on Colorado’s western slope has largely avoided that fate, and is proud of it. But, as KSJD and Rocky Mountain Community Radio’s Lucas Brady Woods reports, a new land sale could change that. Emma Gibson of the Mountain West News Bureau looks into a recent poll that asked Mountain Westerners in swing states about land issues and the outdoors. Their answers indicate their votes may follow candidates supporting the environment.

KGNU's Shanon Young speaks with author Heather Mundt about her new book about getting outside in Colorado with kids. Sometimes finding family-friendly outdoor activities requires additional research despite the state's abundant options. There’s a guide for that now, Colorado Family Outdoor Adventure; An All-Ages Guide to Hiking, Camping, and Getting Outside. KGNU’s Shannon Young spoke with author Heather Mundt about her new book. Plus, a Teton County judge blocks a Wyoming trigger law that prevents most abortions and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture announces an expansion of high-speed internet in rural areas.

KVNF freelance reporter Lisa Young takes us to the dry adobe hills near the base of Grand Mesa in Delta where nutrient-rich composting material is being created. Tina Peters raises funds and requests a recount of the June primary elections. Peters and another GOP candidate are raising unfounded claims of voter fraud. Plus, the Ute Games returned to Southwest Colorado this week after a pandemic hiatus.

Aridification in the West is putting pressure on drinking water supplies. Add in a water main break and the situation can be catastrophic. Caitlin Tan reports for the Mountain West News Bureau on one area that’s already under water restrictions. And Justin Higgenbottom from Moab about why The U.S. Department of Energy is building up the country's strategic uranium reserve.

Rocky Mountain Community Radio, Aspen Public Radio’s Halle Zander reports on a house roundup in northwest Colorado. The BLM recently started rounding up wild horses on land between Rangely and Meeker. The ongoing round-up, or what the BLM calls a gather, was originally set for September. But BLM officials announced in June they were moving the event up two months. The BLM cited the poor condition of the wild horses, and the high numbers of horses roaming in the 190-thousand-acre Piceance-East Douglas Herd Management Area. The federal agency is seeking to remove 1,050 wild horses from the area. But wild horse advocates say the horses are not in poor condition, and that cattle are causing more problems on the range than the horses. The Mountain West News Bureau's Emma Gibson reports on climate change and cannabis.