Western Governors Gather in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Leaders from around the West are meeting in Las Vegas to discuss land use, wildfires and environmental conservation.

The Western Governors' Association is holding its winter meeting on the Las Vegas Strip on Wednesday and Thursday.

Among the governors in attendance are John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Brian Sandoval of Nevada, C.L. "Butch" Otter of Idaho, Steve Bullock of Montana, Gary Herbert of Utah and Matt Mead of Wyoming.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell is expected to deliver a keynote address on Thursday highlighting the federal government's commitment to collaborating on conservation and water issues.

Established in 1984, the association includes governors from 19 states in the West, as well as Guam and American Samoa. Members share ideas, concerns and approaches to dealing with issues unique to the region.