Leo Wolfson
Leo Wolfson is the State Government and Politics Reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Cheyenne. He is responsible for covering Wyoming politics on a federal and statewide level.
Leo led Cowboy State Daily's coverage of the 2022 Wyoming primary election, including the highly contentious race between former congresswoman Liz Cheney and her successor U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman. He also managed CSD's coverage of the 2023 State Legislature, which was by far the most extensive and timely media coverage of a legislative session in the state's history.
Before joining Cowboy State Daily, Leo was a general assignment reporter for the Cody Enterprise Newspaper in Cody from 2018-2022. Prior to that, he reported for a suburban newspaper outside Denver.
Latest from Leo Wolfson
43-Game Win Streak And 31 Wyoming Football Titles, Nobody Beats The Sheridan Broncs
The Sheridan High School football team just won its fourth straight Wyoming state championship, the program’s 31st overall. Also riding a state record 43-game winning streak, the program is proving nobody busts these Broncs.
Leo WolfsonNovember 23, 2024
Bo Biteman Named Wyoming Senate President, Chip Neiman Is New House Speaker
The Wyoming Senate and House on Saturday elected their leaders for the upcoming 2025 legislative session. Sen. Bo Biteman will be the new Senate president, while Rep. Chip Neiman will be House speaker.
Leo WolfsonNovember 23, 2024
Bondurant Gravel Mine Expansion Has Neighbors In Uproar
A proposed gravel pit expansion in Bondurant, Wyoming, has many neighbors in an uproar. They’re concerned about the noise it could create and impacts to wildlife and nearby streams.
Leo WolfsonNovember 22, 2024
Barrasso Says RFK Will Bring A Much-Needed Shakeup To FDA
John Barrasso, Wyoming's senior U.S. senator and a physician, said he believes Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will bring a much-needed shakeup to the federal Food and Drug Administration, if his nomination is approved.
Leo WolfsonNovember 21, 2024
Sheriff Refuses State Of Wyoming Request To Ticket Ranchers For Wayward Cattle
The state of Wyoming wants the Crook County Sheriff to ticket ranchers for trespassing when their cows wander onto unfenced state-owned leased grazing lands. But the sheriff has refused, saying “that’s not a solution to the problem, nor is it right.”
Leo WolfsonNovember 21, 2024
Wyoming Legislators To Bring Back Property Tax Bill Governor Vetoed
The Wyoming legislators advanced a property tax bill this week that Gov. Mark Gordon already vetoed earlier this year. If passed, the law would cut property taxes by 25% for single-family homes valued at $2 million or less.
Leo WolfsonNovember 20, 2024
Pro-Life Legislators Say Fight Not Over As Wyoming Abortion Pill Ban Struck Down
After Wyoming’s first-in-the-nation ban of abortion pills, pro-life legislators say their fight isn’t over. They may put it to voters to decide if abortion is “health care.”
Leo WolfsonNovember 20, 2024
Legislature Considering Non-Citizen Labels On State-Issued IDs
Wyoming IDs may get a complete redesign in the near future that would include a special designation identifying people who aren’t U.S. citizens on the state-issued cards.
Leo WolfsonNovember 19, 2024
Wyo. Mining Group Says Trump’s Energy Secretary Could Mean “180-Degree” Turn For Coal
The head of the Wyoming Mining Association says Trump’s nominee for energy secretary could roll back Biden regulations and reinvigorate the coal industry. He hopes to see “a 180-degree turn” for federal fossil fuels policy.
Leo WolfsonNovember 19, 2024
Sheridan County Elections Supervisor Stunned By Surprise Post-Election Firing
After helping oversee what he calls a “very successful” general election, Sheridan County’s election supervisor was suddenly fired last week. “I never saw it coming,” James Temple said.
Leo WolfsonNovember 18, 2024
Wyoming Republicans Censure Laramie County Clerk Again, Call For Resignation
The Wyoming Republican Party censured Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee for a second time at its meeting Saturday and asked for her resignation. If she doesn’t resign, the party will request Gov. Mark Gordon remove her.
Leo WolfsonNovember 18, 2024
Republican Brent Bien First To Announce Campaign For Wyoming Governor In 2026
Cody Republican Brent Bien told Cowboy State Daily on Saturday at the Wyoming Republican Party Central Committee meeting in Big Piney that he’s running for governor in 2026. He also ran for governor in 2022 but lost to Mark Gordon in the primary.
Leo WolfsonNovember 16, 2024
What To Do After A Truck Plows Into Your House
A Cheyenne couple is finding out how to rebuild their home after a truck crashed into it during a freak accident. For the first week after the accident, parts of the house kept caving in. Now that it's stabilized, rebuilding has begun.
Leo WolfsonNovember 16, 2024
Trump And Republican Congress Could Throw Out Controversial Rock Springs Plan
With Trump returning to the White House and Republicans taking over the Senate and House, the BLM’s controversial Rock Springs Resource Management Plan could get derailed. It could get killed outright.
Leo WolfsonNovember 16, 2024
Arizona AG Ends Investigation Into Trump's "War Hawk" Comments About Liz Cheney
The Arizona attorney general has closed an investigation into Donald Trump’s controversial comments about Liz Cheney being a "war hawk." Her investigation showed there was “no reasonable likelihood that we could obtain a conviction for Trump’s statements.”
Leo WolfsonNovember 15, 2024
Barrasso And Lummis Say Matt Gaetz Will Be Treated Fairly
Wyoming Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis both said U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz will be treated fairly while he is being considered for the position of Attorney General. Neither, however, endorsed his selection outright.
Leo WolfsonNovember 15, 2024
Gordon Unveils $692 Million Supplemental Budget — One-Third For Wildfires
Gov. Mark Gordon unveiled his $692 million proposed supplemental budget Thursday, a plan he said promotes fiscal conservatism and sets Wyoming up for a strong future. Nearly one-third of that is earmarked for fighting wildfires.
Leo WolfsonNovember 15, 2024
Legislative Leaders Debate Tax Relief, Visions For Wyoming’s Future
It was a meeting of old vs. new Thursday as incoming and outgoing Wyoming legislative leaders were on stage together. Senate President Ogden Driskill and Reps. John Bear and Trey Sherwood debated tax relief and their visions for Wyoming’s future.
Leo WolfsonNovember 14, 2024
Chuck Gray Says Animosity Toward Mark Gordon Not Personal
Secretary of State Chuck Gray on Thursday said his longstanding feud with Gov. Mark Gordon is nothing personal. He says it dates back to the governor’s vetoing one of his bills five years ago and a series of actions since then that he disagrees with.
Leo WolfsonNovember 14, 2024
It’s Official — Barrasso Elected To No. 2 Leadership Role In U.S. Senate
Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso was elected Senate whip on Wednesday, the No. 2 leadership position in the U.S. Senate.
Leo WolfsonNovember 13, 2024
Canvassing Board Certifies Wyoming Election Despite Weston County Miscount
A miscount in Weston County during last week’s general election had the Wyoming Canvassing Board considering Wednesday to not certify the election. The results were certified despite the controversy.
Leo WolfsonNovember 13, 2024
Powell Man Who Sent Vulgar Email To State Legislator Elected To City Council
Troy Bray became a political pariah around Wyoming in 2021 when he sent a vulgar email to a state legislator urging her to kill herself. Last week, he was elected to Powell City Council.
Leo WolfsonNovember 13, 2024
Who’s Going To Lead The Wyoming Legislature? Lawmakers Lobby For Support
A clearer vision of what the leadership for the upcoming 68th Wyoming Legislature will look like is starting to emerge as legislators lobby for support. It’s also possible Democrats will be held off a few critical committees.
Leo WolfsonNovember 12, 2024
Lummis Uncommitted For Senate Majority Leader, Calls Report She's Backing Thune "Fake News"
With the U.S. Senate leadership elections coming up Wednesday, Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis says she’s uncommitted on who she’ll support for majority leader. She says a report that she's backing John Thune is "fake news."
Leo WolfsonNovember 12, 2024
Wyoming Walk-On Scores On Pick-Six For No. 8-Ranked Notre Dame Football
A former Wyoming high school standout football player made national highlight reels Saturday. Cody’s Luke Talich, a walk-on for No. 8-ranked Notre Dame, returned an interception for a touchdown.
Leo WolfsonNovember 12, 2024
Weston County Election Miscount Has Locals, and Chuck Gray, Irate
Weston County officials are investigating how more than 1,100 votes were not counted in a state House race on Election Day. When Chuck Gray noticed the error, he called the Weston County sheriff and asked him to locate the county clerk, which he did at home.
Leo WolfsonNovember 11, 2024
Back On Skis And It's Not Even Thanksgiving
The snowstorms that hit the Rocky Mountains last week produced some rare early November skiing -- if you are willing to work for it. Cowboy State Daily’s Leo Wolfson went backcountry skiing in northern Colorado on Saturday and said the conditions were ideal.
Leo WolfsonNovember 11, 2024
Wyoming Man Donated Black Hawk Chopper, Staff To Help With Hurricane Helene Disaster
Wheatland resident Charles Hoskinson donated his Black Hawk helicopter and four pilots to provide relief and resources to people in North Carolina devastated by Hurricane Helene. He said they met no other volunteer crew that had traveled as far away as Wyoming to help.
Leo WolfsonNovember 10, 2024
NYTimes Reports Lummis Being Considered To Be Next Secretary Of Interior
Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis is being considered to be the next head of the U.S. Department of the Interior in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, The New York Times reported Friday.
Leo WolfsonNovember 09, 2024
Bill Advances To Make Getting Rid Of Squatters In Wyoming Easier
Legislators advanced a bill Thursday to make getting rid of squatters in Wyoming easier. Among other things, it gives local law enforcement more authority to remove squatters for property owners.
Leo WolfsonNovember 08, 2024
Public Will Get Instant Vote Tallies Starting Next Wyoming Legislative Session
The Wyoming’s Legislature’s Management Council unanimously passed a proposal Thursday that will give the public an electronic scorecard of how legislators vote in real time starting in the 2025 session.
Leo WolfsonNovember 08, 2024
On 3-2 Vote, Wyoming Officials OK $100M Kelly Parcel Sale To Grand Teton Park
On a 3-2 vote, the State Board of Land Commissioners approved a conditional $100 million sale of the controversial Kelly Parcel to Grand Teton National Park. The money may be used to buy mineral-rich federal land in the Powder River Basin.
Leo WolfsonNovember 07, 2024
Wyoming Swings Farther To The Political Right In Presidential Election
As a whole, Wyoming showed more support for former President Donald Trump than it did in 2020. In a few Wyoming precincts, support for Trump was nearly unanimous.
Leo WolfsonNovember 07, 2024
Wyoming Election Shows Spending Big Doesn't Always Pay Off
For the most part, those who spent more in Tuesday’s general election in Wyoming were mostly successful — but not always.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Amendment A Passes To Separate Residential Property Taxes In Wyoming
A constitutional amendment to move residential property taxes into a separate class of taxation in Wyoming passed on Tuesday night.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Gary Brown Holds On To Beat Democratic Challenger For Cheyenne’s HD 41
Cheyenne resident Gary Brown has won the election for House District 41, holding off Democratic challenger Jen Solis.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Political Newcomer Jacob Wasserburger Beats Burglingame To Win HD 11
Republican Jacob Wasserburger beat LGBTQ advocate and former state legislator Sara Burlingame for House District 11 in Cheyenne in Tuesday’s general election.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Trump Crushes Kamala 71% To 25% In Wyoming, Largest Margin In Nation
Former President Donald Trump coasted to another landslide victory in Wyoming, crushing Kamala 71% to 25%. It’s also the largest margin of victory for Trump in the nation.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
House District 60: Freedom Caucus Gains Seat With Brady Win
Green River Republican Marlene Brady won her bid for House District 60 on Tuesday night, beating Democratic challenger Carmen Whitehead by 1,531 votes.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Senate District 12: Incumbent Republican Kolb Gets Comfortable Win
State Sen. John Kolb, R-Rock Springs, easily held on to his seat Tuesday night, beating Democratic challenger and former state legislator Kenilynn Zanetti by 2,486 votes.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Senate District 8: Olsen Will Return To Legislature With Win
State Rep. Jared Olsen, R-Cheyenne, beat Democratic challenger Marguerite Herman by a sizeable margin Tuesday night.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Barrasso Wins Reelection To Fourth Term In U.S. Senate
Cowboy State Daily is reporting Wyoming U.S. Sen. John Barrasso has been reelected to a fourth term in office Tuesday.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Hageman Wins Reelection For Second Term In Congress
Cowboy State Daily is reporting Wyoming congresswoman Harriet Hageman has won her reelection bid for a second term as Wyoming’s only U.S. House representative.
Leo WolfsonNovember 06, 2024
Wyoming Expects $122 Million Surplus Behind Surge In Oil And Gas Production
The latest CREG report released last week shows Wyoming can expect a $122 million surplus behind a surge in oil and gas production. But coal, once the state’s cash cow, continues to decline.
Leo WolfsonNovember 05, 2024
44% Of Wyoming Registered Voters Have Already Cast Ballots
A huge voting period came to a close Monday in Wyoming with 44% of registered voters having already cast ballots. That translates to 112,824 people had voted statewide -- just over 4,000 votes per day.
Leo WolfsonNovember 05, 2024
Degenfelder Calls Gordon’s Move To Sell Kelly Parcel 'Backroom Maneuvering’
Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder on Monday criticized Gov. Mark Gordon’s push to sell the controversial Kelly Parcel to Grand Teton National Park for $100 million. She called the move “backroom maneuvering.”
Leo WolfsonNovember 04, 2024
History Shows Write-In Candidates Almost Never Win In Wyoming, So Why Run?
Write-in campaigns have a notoriously low chance of succeeding, but there are a few write-in candidates running across Wyoming this November. Why run? They believe it’s the right thing to do.
Leo WolfsonNovember 04, 2024
Polls Say Trump Will Win Big In Wyoming; Barrasso & Hageman As Popular As Ever
No surprises at all in two Wyoming polls released on Friday. Former President Trump is expected to crush Kamala Harris as he remains as popular as ever in Wyoming. Both Barrasso and Hageman have sky-high numbers too and should win easily on Tuesday.
Leo WolfsonNovember 02, 2024
Sundance Wicks Is First Wyoming-Born UW Men’s Basketball Coach In 50 Years
Gillette native Sundance Wicks is the first Wyoming native to be the head coach of the University of Wyoming men's basketball team in 50 years. The Wicks era officially begins Monday when the Cowboys host Concordia University-St. Paul at 7:30 p.m.
Leo WolfsonNovember 02, 2024
Recommendation Is For Wyoming To Sell Kelly Parcel To Feds For $100 Million
Wyoming’s top elected officials will decide Thursday whether to sell the Kelly Parcel to Grand Teton National Park. The State Land and Investment Board recommended Friday the state sell the pristine 640 acres to the park for $100 million.
Leo WolfsonNovember 02, 2024
Trump Says Media Misreports Cheney War Hawk Comment As Personal Threat
Former President Donald Trump called Liz Cheney a "radical war hawk" on Thursday and said she would “understand how it feels” to be at war if she had a gun pointed at her. The national media has exploded, calling the remark a personal threat, which Trump denies.
Leo WolfsonNovember 01, 2024
Rock Springs Senator Accuses Former Legislator Opponent Of Pushing A Kamala Agenda
Republican incumbent Wyoming state Sen. John Kolb is being challenged by a former legislator for his seat, Democrat Kenilynn Zanetti. He says a vote for her is the same as voting for Kamala Harris, which she says isn’t true.
Leo WolfsonNovember 01, 2024
Chuck Gray Bashes Colorado Counterpart For Releasing Voting Machine Passwords
Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray said he’s not surprised the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office made public a spreadsheet that included passwords to access voting machines. It's an example of her "left-wing radicalism," he said.
Leo WolfsonOctober 31, 2024
Wyoming Realtors Have Spent Nearly $550,000 To Pass Property Tax Amendment
The campaign arm of the Wyoming Realtors Association has spent nearly $550,000 to convince Wyoming voters pass Amendment A on Tuesday. The measure would create a fourth class of taxation for residential properties.
Leo WolfsonOctober 31, 2024
Wyoming Cheers Supreme Court Ruling To Remove Noncitizens From Voter Rolls
Wyoming’s top elected officials are cheering a Wednesday ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court allowing the removal of noncitizens from voter rolls. Wyoming was one of 26 states that supported Virginia’s case in the high court.
Leo WolfsonOctober 31, 2024
Does Utah’s Petiton To Get Control Of Federal Lands Stand A Chance? Hageman Hopes So
Now that Utah is petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to gain control of federal lands, Wyoming and other Western states are watching closely. Does it have a chance? Wyoming congresswoman Harriet Hageman hopes so.
Leo WolfsonOctober 30, 2024
Wyoming Ski Areas Buck Industry With Independent Owners, Less Crowding
Across the U.S. West, huge companies are gobbling up ski resorts, which has resulted in crowded slopes under corporate management. Wyoming is bucking that industry trend with independent ownership and less crowding.
Leo WolfsonOctober 30, 2024
Legislature Won’t Restrict Utilities Condemning Land For Green Energy Projects
A committee of the Wyoming Legislature has rejected two bills that would have restricted the use of eminent domain to acquire land for carbon capture, wind and solar projects.
Leo WolfsonOctober 29, 2024
Legislators Fight Over Property Tax Relief Ahead Of Next Week’s Election
Legislators are fighting over a constitutional amendment that could lower property taxes for homeowners in Wyoming. Some argue Amendment A on next week’s ballot also opens the door for tax increases, if passed.
Leo WolfsonOctober 29, 2024
UW Football Coach Sawvel Reprimanded For Calling Referees Horsesh*t
University of Wyoming football coach Jay Sawvel was reprimanded Sunday after calling the referees officiating UW games this season horsesh*t. He also called his coaching horsesh*t in describing his 1 - 7 start.
Leo WolfsonOctober 28, 2024
Freedom Caucus Wants Lawsuit Over Misleading Political Mailers Thrown Out
The campaign arm of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus on Friday filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed against it by two state legislators. They accuse the group of sending out deliberately false and misleading mailers and text messages.
Leo WolfsonOctober 26, 2024
"Hot And Heavy" Early Voting Across Wyoming Is Smashing Primary Turnout So Far
Early voting leading up to the Nov. 5 general election has had huge turnouts all across Wyoming. In Cheyenne, the wait to vote can take up to 30 minutes with a line of voters out the door and down the street every day.
Leo WolfsonOctober 26, 2024
Park County Saddened By Deaths Of Well-Known Pastor, “Living Legend” Taxidermist
The deaths of two well-known Park County residents has saddened the communities of Cody and Powell. Cody Bible Church Pastor Jeff McKearney and Steven Werbelow of Powell, a “living legend” in the taxidermy industry, were found dead Wednesday in an RV.
Leo WolfsonOctober 25, 2024
Driver Who Killed Grizzly 399 Did Nothing Wrong, Sheriff’s Office Says
Contrary to public outcry from some to prosecute the driver who hit and killed Grizzly 399, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says that’s not likely to happen. Its investigation shows the driver wasn’t speeding and did nothing wrong.
Leo WolfsonOctober 25, 2024
Legislature Advances Proposal To Show Live, Electronic Scoring Of Votes
A committee of the Wyoming Legislature advanced a proposal on Thursday that would allow the public to see a live electronic scorecard for each roll call vote taken during the session.
Leo WolfsonOctober 25, 2024
Hageman, Gordon And Legislators Want Federal Lands Turned Over To States
Rep. Harriet Hageman, Gov. Mark Gordon and 26 members of the Wyoming Legislature want federal lands turned over to states. They’ve all filed briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court this week supporting Utah in its lawsuit to liberate BLM lands.
Leo WolfsonOctober 24, 2024
Legislature Backs Off Plan To Limit Press Access At Wyoming Capitol
A proposal to restrict press access to some areas of the Wyoming Capitol during the legislative session was scrapped Thursday. The original idea was intended to ensure privacy for lawmakers and prevent overcrowding of the halls.
Leo WolfsonOctober 24, 2024
Bill Would Give State Authority To Dissolve Businesses Owned By Foreign Adversaries
The state Legislature’s Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee is taking aim at Wyoming businesses owned by foreign adversaries. A bill advanced Tuesday would give the state the authority to dissolve them.
Leo WolfsonOctober 24, 2024
World Famous Grizzly 399 Dead After Hit By Vehicle
Grizzly 399, perhaps the most famous and popular bear in the world, was hit by a car and killed Tuesday night. She was 28. The bear’s identity was confirmed through ear tags and a microchip.
Leo WolfsonOctober 23, 2024
Wyoming Part Of Multi-State McDonald’s E. Coli Outbreak, Quarter Pounders Pulled
Wyoming is one of at least 10 Western states where people eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounders have been infected with E. coli food poisoning. The cases, so far, involve residents of Natrona and Sweetwater counties.
Leo WolfsonOctober 23, 2024
Sheridan County GOP Shares, Then Deletes, Racist Post About Trump At McDonald’s
The Sheridan County Republican Party is taking some heat after it shared a racist post to its Facebook page featuring former President Donald Trump. The post was quickly deleted, and the party’s chairman says it crossed the line.
Leo WolfsonOctober 23, 2024
Weston County Votes To Create Own Legislative Seats, Now Waits To Be Sued
Weston County commissioners voted Tuesday to fill legislative seats the county created. The county also expects to be sued over the vote and efforts to strongarm its own representatives onto the Wyoming Legislature.
Leo WolfsonOctober 22, 2024
Cheyenne House Race: Candidates Say Opponents Way Out Of Touch With Voters
In a battle for Cheyenne's House District 11, both candidates are saying their opponent is out of touch with local voters. Jacob Wasserburger's mailer features his opponent with President Biden while Sara Burlingame's mailer shows her opponent shirtless wearing a top hat.
Leo WolfsonOctober 22, 2024
Laramie County Buys Wyoming’s Tallest Building To House Its Growing Government
In anticipation of future growth of local government because of an influx of population, Laramie County recently paid $5.5 million to buy the tallest building in Wyoming. The Wyoming Financial Center building is nine stories and 148 feet tall.
Leo WolfsonOctober 21, 2024
Controversial Laramie Democrat Karlee Provenza Seeks Third Term In House
State Rep. Karlee Provenza is one of the few Democrat fixtures in the Wyoming Legislature and isn’t shy about sharing her liberal views. That’s why her Republican opponent for House District 45 says she doesn’t represent her constituents.
Leo WolfsonOctober 21, 2024