Grace Hood

More than a decade ago, the issue seemed distant to Americans' experiences. But now polls show a dramatic rise in concern, driven partly by extreme weather.

Many cities are converting to LED streetlights. The move can help restore darker skies and make stars visible again, and they also save energy and money. But some LEDs emit light that disrupts sleep.

Last August, 3 million gallons of orange wastewater flooded into Colorado's Animas River, ending up in Lake Powell. But Congress has failed to come up with a way to stop this from happening again.

Climate change is affecting what visitors see in Mesa Verde National Park. Over the past decade, scorching wildfires have destroyed archaeological artifacts — and have also revealed new ones.

Colorado will need more water to supply the state's fast-increasing population. So two large reservoir projects have been proposed, but some Coloradans worry about the dams' possible ecological harm.

Colorado flooding has prompted an unprecedented challenge for the state's oil and gas industry. The practice of hydraulic fracturing is widespread along the state's Eastern Plains, but overflowing rivers have swept away equipment and caused more than 37,000 gallons of oil to spill into or near rivers.

One of ranching's most basic materials is in high demand right now, and hay theft is on the rise. The summer's drought has decreased the supply of hay across much of the U.S. It's resulting in higher prices and hay banditry.

In a Disney Store in Southern California, displays include playful child-size mannequins that encourage shoppers to interact with the merchandise.