About the Conference

The NACo Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference brings together county officials from across the nation to focus on pressing issues facing counties and our residents. Each year the conference is hosted by a county within the fifteen Western states – Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming – and provides attendees with the opportunity to interact with federal, state and regional policymakers, participate in educational sessions and take home tools to address challenges.

Related News

Prairie County, Mont. Commissioner Todd Devlin and Fremont County, Colo. Commissioner Dwayne McFall prepare for their Capitol Hill visits during the PILT Fly-In Sept. 10. McFall is the Western Interstate Region first vice president. Photo by Charlie Ban
County News

Record high Capitol Hill meeting schedule pushes public lands funding

More than three dozen public lands county officials conducted 80 meetings with congressional staff to advocate for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes and Secure Rural Schools programs.

Residential neighborhood in Colorado at autumn
Press Release

County Leaders Advocate for Payments in Lieu of Taxes, Secure Rural Schools

Meetings on Capitol Hill, public event underscore intergovernmental partnership to support public lands counties.

Convict Lake, Mono County, California
News

Podcast: Talking with Public Lands County Leaders, Part VIII

The County News Podcast continues our series on public lands county leaders with two from outdoor recreation counties – Supervisor John Peters from Mono County, Calif. and Commissioner Sonja Macys from Routt County, Colo. Peters is this year’s Western Interstate Region president.

USDA Building
Advocacy

U.S. Department of Agriculture announces reorganization

On July 24, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a major reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will relocate thousands of federal employees, restructure regional offices and consolidate administrative services and operations. The changes are expected to reduce USDA’s footprint in Washington, D.C. and shift more personnel to regional hubs across the country. 

Black Hills National Forest South Dakota Featuring Mt. Rushmore in the Distance
News

Podcast: Talking with Public Lands County Leaders, Part VII

The County News Podcast resumes our series on public lands county issues with two guests: Pennington County, S.D. Commissioner Gary Drewes and Curry County, N.M. Commissioner Seth Martin.

Public Lands Counties
Advocacy

Senate lawmakers introduce bipartisan legislation to support public lands counties

On August 4, U.S. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced the More Opportunities for Rural Economies (MORE) Grants Package.