Business and Tourism Reporter

Renée Jean

Renée Jean is the business and tourism reporter for Cowboy State Daily and is based in Cheyenne. Previously, Renée spent seven years covering energy and agriculture in North Dakota and Montana. She has won many writing awards over a 30-year career, and has written magazine articles for Guideposts.

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Latest from Renée Jean

A Bitcoin Depot ATM in a Loaf 'N Jug store on East Lincolnway in Cheyenne.

Scammers Are Draining Millions From Wyomingites Using Crypto ATMs

Law enforcement across Wyoming say criminals are exploiting Crypto ATMs in scams that have stolen more than $4.6 million in just three of Wyoming’s largest cities — $3 million of which was in Gillette alone.

Renée JeanJanuary 31, 2026

People living in Douglas and Glenrock are reporting that their Amazon packages are going missing, often landing in Gillette, where they are then listed as "undeliverable." Amazon says it’s looking into the problem.

Douglas And Glenrock A ‘Bermuda Triangle’ For Disappearing Amazon Packages

People living in Douglas and Glenrock, Wyoming, are reporting that their Amazon packages are going missing, often landing in Gillette, where they are then listed as "undeliverable." Amazon says it’s looking into the problem.

Renée JeanJanuary 31, 2026

Wyoming Office of Tourism Director Domenic Bravo told Cowboy State Daily the PRCA's move to Cheyenne is a "game-changer" for Wyoming tourism.

Wyoming’s Tourism Leaders View Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame As Game-Changer For State

Wyoming tourism leaders are hailing the ProRodeo Hall of Fame's vote to move from Colorado to Cheyenne as a game-changer for the industry. They are projecting a $252 million economic impact over 10 years while boosting rodeo culture statewide.

Renée JeanJanuary 29, 2026

Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame EQ Roy via Alamy 11 11 25 1

PRCA Votes To Move Headquarters, Hall Of Fame & Museum To Cheyenne, Wyoming

The Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association on Monday voted to move its headquarters, Hall of Fame and museum to Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 2029. Cheyenne Frontier Days chief Tom Hirsig said it's the rodeo equivalent of getting the NFL headquarters.

Renée JeanJanuary 27, 2026

Big Boy at the Union Pacific Steam Shop in Cheyenne.

Big Boy, World's Largest Locomotive, Leaves Cheyenne March 29 For Coast-To-Coast Tour

The tour schedule for the western leg of Big Boy's historic coast-to-coast tour was announced Monday. The world's largest locomotive, which weighs more than one million pounds, will leave Cheyenne on March 29.

Renée JeanJanuary 27, 2026

Emily Warren seated on the couch of her cabin in Wilson, Wyoming, while writing "Dont Start Now," which became a smash platinum-selling song for Dua Lipa.

Some Of Pop Music’s Biggest Hits Written In Wyoming Getaway Cabin

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Emily Warren is behind some of the biggest pop stars on the charts, including Shakira, Lizzo, and Katy Perry. She wrote a pair of Dua Lipa’s platinum hits in her Wilson cabin getaway, which has just been listed for sale.

Renée JeanJanuary 25, 2026

Big Boy 4014 will roll into Laramie during a previous whistle-stop tour.

Big Boy 4014, World's Largest Steam Locomotive, To Make First Coast-To-Coast Tour

Cheyenne-based Big Boy 4014, the world's largest operating steam locomotive, will make its first ever coast-to-coast tour this year to honor America's 250th birthday. The tour could begin near the end of March, a Union Pacific official says.

Renée JeanJanuary 24, 2026

Jackson Hole Real Estate Sales Soared To Near-Record $2.17 Billion In 2025

Fueled by luxury developments like the Hoback Club, Jackson Hole’s real estate market surged 52% in 2025 to a near-record $2.17 billion. The trend shows no signs of stopping, with limited supply meeting increased demand.

Renée JeanJanuary 23, 2026

Cody city leaders have invited the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to visit the "Rodeo Capital of the World" as the PRCA considers moving its headquarters. The PRCA said it is taking the offer seriously, along with others, including one from Texas.

Cody Joins Bidding War For Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association

Cody city leaders have invited the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to visit the "Rodeo Capital of the World" as the PRCA considers relocating its headquarters. The PRCA said it's taking the offer seriously, along with others, including one from Texas.

Renée JeanJanuary 22, 2026

Wyoming is No. 1 in the nation when it comes to sound money policy, a movement to return gold and silver as legal currency. Wyomingites also don’t have to pay sales tax when buying the precious metals.

Wyoming Quietly Completes $10 million Gold Buy Required By New State Law

The state of Wyoming quietly bought $10 million in gold in December as required by a new state law. Sponsors of the law hail it as a hedge against dollar devaluation while critics say there’s no good way to cash in on gold’s increasing value.

Renée JeanJanuary 21, 2026

Beef From New Rancher-Owned Packing Plant In Nebraska Hits Walmart Shelves

Trey Wasserburger, a cofounder of a new rancher-owned packing plant in western Nebraska, is celebrating as the company's prime steaks hit Walmart shelves — sourced partly from Wyoming cattle. “We hope to be in all Walmart stores fairly soon,” he said.

Renée JeanJanuary 20, 2026

The Hopkinson Health and Wellness Clinic in Gillette is cutting 40 jobs, with more cuts possible. The clinic also is dialing back on expenses as the family behind it admits the project grew too fast.

Hoskinson Clinic In Gillette Lays Off 40 As Family Says It Grew Too Fast

The Hoskinson Health and Wellness Clinic in Gillette is cutting 40 jobs, with more cuts possible. The clinic also is dialing back on expenses as the family behind it says the project grew too fast.

Renée JeanJanuary 19, 2026

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The Natural Grocers store in Casper is one of two in Wyoming, with the other in Cheyenne. Rock Springs will get the grocery retailer's third Cowboy State store.

How Rock Springs Beat Out Larger Wyoming Cities For A Natural Grocers Store

Natural Grocers nixed a Jackson location and decided on Rock Springs, beating out Gillette and Laramie for the chain’s third Wyoming location. "We’re excited to become the neighborhood grocery store and opening our doors in Rock Springs," the company said.

Renée JeanJanuary 19, 2026

With Gold At Record Prices, Wyoming Mine Project Is ‘Shovel-Ready’

The CK Gold Project west of Cheyenne has all its permits and is “shovel-ready,” the company’s board chairman says. That’s perfect timing with gold selling at record prices and estimates that could add another 1 million ounces to the mine’s production.

Renée JeanJanuary 18, 2026

Montana Busche talks about the wines in Brush Creek Ranch's wine cellar.

Inside Brush Creek Ranch's Wine Cellar: Secret Rooms And Ultra-Expensive Spirits

The 94-yard-long underground wine cellar at the Brush Creek Ranch in Carbon County, which has more than 30,000 bottles of wine, is the 4th largest private collection in the U.S. and 7th largest in the world. It has some of the rarest bottles of wine anywhere.

Renée JeanJanuary 18, 2026

Wyoming Ranch With Historic Outlaw Hideaway Hits Market For $9.2 Million

Thieves Den Ranch, located in Bates Hole near Casper, has been listed for $9.2 million. The 8,481-acre ranch is located in an area Wild West outlaws like Butch Cassidy favored as a hideout.

Renée JeanJanuary 18, 2026

After UnitedHealth left Wyoming, Torrington resident Roger Huckfeldt found a new provider for his 85-year-old mother. That’s when his robocall nightmare really began, navigating 45 hours on hold and hangups to sign her up with the new company.

45 Hours On Hold: Torrington Man’s Insurance Nightmare Shows How Broken System Is

After UnitedHealth left Wyoming's Medicare Advantage insurance market, Torrington's Roger Huckfeldt tried to find a new provider for his 85-year-old mom. That's when a nightmare began, navigating weeks of robocalls, hangups, and 45 hours on hold. And he's still waiting.

Renée JeanJanuary 17, 2026

Wyoming’s expansive Pathfinder Ranches comes in at nearly 1 million acres — bigger than Rhode Island. And it’s on the market for $79.5 million.

New Owner Of Wyoming Ranch Larger Than Rhode Island Revealed (And It's Not Zelenskyy)

The new mystery owner of Wyoming’s massive 916,000-acre Pathfinder Ranches — larger than Rhode Island — has been revealed. Although there was erroneous speculation that Ukrainian President Zelensky bought it, the truth is it's a neighboring land owner.

Renée JeanJanuary 17, 2026

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and ProRodeo Hall of Fame has been headquartered in Colorado Springs for the last 46 years. Now it’s considering a move to Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Wyoming vs Texas: JAC Approves $15 Million To Lure PRCA To State

The Joint Appropriations Committee approved $15 million to help lure the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association to Wyoming. The PRCA is interested in Wyoming but other states, like Texas, are vying for it too.

Renée JeanJanuary 16, 2026

Wyoming vs China? JAC Advances $16M Rare Earths Loan In Budget To Counter China

In what he called a win over China, Sen. Ogden Driskill advanced a proposed $16 million state-backed loan to bolster a rare earths processing plant. One industry rep said, "This is truly Upton versus China — this is how Wyoming pushes back against China.”

Clair McFarland & Renée JeanJanuary 16, 2026

Cary Lambert poses with a set of his Happy Valley dog calendars, which have helped seniors on fixed incomes in 15 states afford vaccinations for their pets. At right is Doc Holliday, covered in dirt on a tractor.

Laramie County Dogs Are Helping Senior Citizens Pay For Pet Vaccinations In 15 States

To help senior citizens pay for pet vaccinations, a UPS driver who delivers in Laramie County put together a dog calendar. Proceeds will help senior citizens pay for pet vaccinations in 15 states.

Renée JeanJanuary 11, 2026