I'd start by removing all the rocks and pebbles; they're not attractive and divide up the area in a peculiar fashion. Then I'd start to look for books/articles by Lauren Springer. a garden writer who used to live in that area and had a magnificent garden. She tested many, many plants for hardiness and drought resistance.

My brother lives at something like 8000 feet in the hills above Denver. He is in an area that doesn’t allow gardens due to water issues. His yard is native wildflowers and grasses and has looked essentially the same for more than 30 years. It takes little maintenance which is good since gardening isn’t an interest for him.

I agree with Laceyvail about removing the cobble type of rocks. They won’t be entirely stable, they will make clearing snow a hassle, and they will get weeds mixed in with them which will be difficult to maintain.

In planning whatever you will be doing with your yard, read up on planting for fire safety. With conditions in the mountain west, wildfires have become increasingly common, and having an area of nonflammable material close to the house is important. For instance, having a typical foundation planting and nearby evergreens may not be wise. If having a garden is of interest, there are a number of alpine garden resources in various parts of the state.

Thank you for your comments. Our surroundings are like rocks, wild grass, wild flowers so the rocks do fit in the surroundings (maybe doesn't show like it in the pictures). And like "Snow removal issues",its the yard we only remove snow from the driveway;) . I was hoping to get some more design ideas, plants I can figure out myself.

Perhaps it seems a subtle distinction, but since you posted on landscape design forum we were making comments on the whole landscape design which to my eye looks awkward. Typically rounded rocks like yours are near water and angular rocks are in dry areas. You aren’t planning to clear the front walk-in the winter? How will visitors arrive at the house?

I would look at High Country Gardens for plant ideas since you can sort by water availability and hardiness and elevation and many of their plants are all reasonably happy with the water regimes of the Great Basin. A couple of my favorites are many of the hardier Penstemon and Agastache. There is a beautiful little wild rose with pretty fall color and big bright red hips that grows wild in the county open spaces near my brother but I don’t know the species or whether this commercially available.

https://www.highcountrygardens.com/plant-finder/drought-resistant-perennials