Wyoming News Briefs

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso have joined a dozen other U. S. Senators in a push to create a national day honoring cowboys. The Senators are introducing a resolution that will declare July 28 a day honoring the accomplishments and contributions of cowboys. It is the eighth year the resolution has been introduced.

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Transportation Commission has awarded contracts totaling $33.4 million for highway improvement projects. The Casper Star-Tribune reports the largest contract, worth $20.2 million, went to a Missoula, Mont., company to reconstruct part of Interstate 90. The next biggest project was awarded to an Idaho Falls, Idaho, company for projects aimed at preserving highways.

RAWLINS, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation may help Wyoming become the first state to surpass 1 million conserved acres for elk. The foundation is about 13,000 acres shy of reaching the milestone. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has existed for about 28 years and has conserved 6 million acres nationwide.

MOOSE, Wyo. (AP) — Travelers in Grand Teton National Park can now visit the newly renovated Colter Bay Visitor Center. The National Park Service says staff worked over the winter to renovate the interior space and to improve the look and function of the facility. The center on the east shore of Jackson Lake also features new interpretive exhibits and cultural displays. More than 260,000 visitors pass through the center each year.