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

Archaeologists looking for artifacts in Sunrise, Wyoming, which lies in Platte County, where the historical society said it plans not only to leave Wyoming Historical Society, but will likely keep the dues money it had been sending the organization.

Wyoming Historical Society Kicks Out County Chapters As Rift Widens

Wyoming Historical Society has announced it is kicking out all of its county chapters. It’s a move that widens a growing rift that has divided Wyoming’s historical community.

Renée JeanJune 12, 2025

Interior Secretary Burgum Wants Foreign Visitor Fees, $1B Cut To National Parks

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wants to charge fees for foreigners visiting America’s national parks, as well as cut $1 billion from their budgets. Burgum defended the plan Wednesday during a Senate hearing.

Renée JeanJune 11, 2025

A motorcycle slamming into a concrete wall is the latest incident at a parking garage in downtown Cheyenne known for chaos. The mayor, police chief, county sheriff, and city councilmembers all say they’re aware of the issues and are trying to fix them.

Chaos Continues At Cheyenne Parking Garage, Motorcyclist Slams Into Concrete Wall

A motorcyclist slamming into a concrete wall is the latest incident at a parking garage in downtown Cheyenne known for chaos. The mayor, police chief, county sheriff and city council members all say they’re aware of the issues and are trying to fix them.

Renée JeanJune 10, 2025

Popular Shell Falls In The Bighorns Is Closed, And Won’t Reopen For Two Years

Shell Falls, a popular outdoors attraction in Wyoming’s Bighorn National Forest, is closed for the next two years for repairs. It’s the second out-of-commission spot in the region this summer on the heels of Crazy Woman Canyon’s unexpected closure.

Renée JeanJune 09, 2025

In the late 2010s, golf was on a downswing. But post-pandemic, golf has boomed to become a $147 billion real estate bonanza that’s creating a new real estate niche in Wyoming.

Catering To Golfing Lifestyles A Growing Real Estate Niche In Wyoming

In the late 2010s, golf was on a downswing. But post-pandemic, golf has boomed into a $147 billion real estate bonanza that’s become a growing real estate niche in Wyoming.

Renée JeanJune 08, 2025

A Jackson, Wyoming, woman wants to convince at least 500 people to join her in Davey Jackson Soccer Field wearing long underwear and butterfly wings. It’s all about setting a Guinness World Record.

Jackson Woman Wants 500 People To Dress Up As Butterflies To Set A World Record

A Teton County woman is trying to convince 500 people to join her in a local soccer field later this month wearing long underwear and butterfly wings. She's trying to set a Guinness World Record for the most people dressed up in a butterfly costume.

Renée JeanJune 08, 2025

A new glamping experience at Brush Creek Ranch near Saratoga is among the most expensive tent stays in Wyoming at $4,500 a night. It’s being marketed as a more affordable price point for the high-end resort.

Brush Creek Ranch’s Glamping Tents Cost $4,500 A Night And Include A Private Chef

Brush Creek Ranch near Saratoga has an international reputation for high-end luxury and adventure. A new glamping experience there starts at a whopping $4,500 per night, complete with a private chef. They say it's marketed as a more affordable price point for the high-end resort.

Renée JeanJune 08, 2025

Wyoming Geologist Helps ID Oldest Rock In America At 3.5 Billion Years

Wyoming geologist Carol Frost and three of her colleagues have identified a new oldest rock in America. Found in Michigan, researchers estimate it’s more than 3.5 billion years old.

Renée JeanJune 07, 2025

The historic Sheridan Inn is considered one of Wyoming's most haunted hotels. Now that may have some science behind the claim, as it's part of a study of five of the state's most haunted hotels.

How A Huge Hail Mary Saved The Sheridan Inn From Caving In

Now a Wyoming showpiece, the historic Sheridan Inn was six months from caving in about 20 years ago. It took unusual resolve and a huge Hail Mary to save it — and some help from its ghosts.

Renée JeanJune 07, 2025

Wyoming’s historic Spear Ranch is where Ernest Hemingway found the solitude and seclusion he needed to finish “A Farewell to Arms.” It’s also near Wyoming’s oldest polo field, and can be had for $29 million.

Historic Spear Ranch, Where Hemingway Finished ‘A Farewell To Arms,’ Lists For $29 Million

Wyoming’s historic Spear Ranch is where Ernest Hemingway found the solitude and seclusion he needed to finish “A Farewell to Arms.” The Big Horn property is also near Wyoming’s oldest polo field, and can be had for $29 million.

Renée JeanJune 07, 2025

Despite widespread distaste for lab-grown meat in Wyoming, ranchers see problems with bans like the ones instituted in Montana and Nebraska. What they want instead are clear labels.

Why Wyoming Isn’t Joining The Ban On Lab-Grown Meat

Despite widespread distaste in Wyoming for lab-grown meat, ranchers see problems with bans like the ones instituted in Montana and Nebraska. Rancher Tyler Lindholm said of the ban, "It’s authoritarian as hell.” What they want instead are clear labels.

Renée JeanJune 06, 2025

Hoop dancing demo at Wyoming Historical Society's Summer Trek in Thermopolis

Delinquent Tax Paperwork Preceded Implosion Of Wyoming History Groups

More details are emerging over the rift that has grown in a decades-long partnership between three of Wyoming’s most prominent history groups. Records show problems leading to their split began much earlier than February.

Renée JeanJune 05, 2025

Other Authors

Social media meme (left). Newly installed Wyoming Historical Society Executive Director Aley Philp (right)

Wyoming Loves Its History But Its History Groups No Longer Love Each Other

A slow-motion blow-up is happening between three long-time history organizations. The resulting implosion is threatening to split Wyoming’s historical community in two.

Renée JeanJune 04, 2025

Wyoming-based Airloom Energy has developed novel wind energy technology that uses a "clothesline" model turbine to generate power. It's an example of a high-growth startup.

Figuring Out Why So Many High-Growth Business Startups Fail In Wyoming

Wyoming has an enviable overall success rate of up to 77% for startup businesses that are still active after one year. But that stat hides a big problem — high-impact, growth-oriented companies have a success rate that’s much lower

Renée JeanJune 01, 2025

F.E. Warren Air Force Base has a secret underground world full of soldier-created artwork that most people have never seen.

The Secret Underground World Of F.E. Warren Air Force Base Murals

F.E. Warren Air Force Base has a secret underground world full of airmen-created artwork that most people have never seen. Set to disappear after the Minuteman III missiles are replaced, former missileer Jim Warner is determined to save them.

Renée JeanJune 01, 2025

A barn at the JO Ranch in Carbon County.

Carbon County's JO Ranch A Throwback To An Untamed Wyoming

Only the hardiest of souls ever lived at the now-abandoned JO Ranch in southern Carbon County. The ranch’s stone buildings, built in 1890, are as old as the state and still standing, a throwback to an untamed Wyoming.

Renée JeanMay 31, 2025

A Laramie couple sold their home and bought a cabin on board a luxury cruise ship. Now they’re spending four years cruising around the world for the same cost as their lifestyle in Wyoming. Here they're on deck of The Odyssey in Acapulco, Mexico.

Wyoming Couple Trade Home In Laramie For Four Years On Luxury Cruise Ship

A Laramie couple sold their home and bought a cabin on the luxury cruise ship Odyssey. Now they’re spending four years cruising around the world for the same cost as their lifestyle in Wyoming.

Renée JeanMay 31, 2025

The CK Gold Project about 20 miles west of Cheyenne in Laramie County is close to securing permitting, which comes at a good time with high gold prices.

At $3,300 An Ounce, Prices Prime For Southeast Wyoming’s CK Gold Project

With gold prices trading high at $3,300 an ounce, timing may be prime for the CK Gold Project in Southeast Wyoming. It’s completed most of its state permitting, with a Laramie County hearing for local permits next month.

Renée JeanMay 28, 2025

The newly unveiled Lincoln Locomotive 1616 and Big Boy 4014 will meet up twice this summer in Greeley, Colorado, for a whistle stop.

Union Pacific’s Big Boy Has A Date With Newly Unveiled Lincoln Locomotive

The newly unveiled Abraham Lincoln commemorative locomotive No. 1616 and Cheyenne's Big Boy No. 4014 will meet up twice this summer in Greeley for a whistle stop. Four cab rides will also be auctioned for rides on Big Boy between Cheyenne and Denver.

Renée JeanMay 28, 2025

Hot Springs County Rallies To Boost Tourism During Prolonged Star Plunge Closure

Hot Springs County is rallying to save its tourism season despite what’s become a prolonged closure of the popular Star Plunge hot springs pools. To do that, it’s putting the spotlight on attractions outside the park — fishing, new trails and more events.

Renée JeanMay 27, 2025

Former Sheridan broadcast pioneer and business owner Kim Love died Saturday. Friends and family recall him as outspoken, never afraid to say what was on his mind, and a stalwart economic and civic backer of Sheridan known as a “genius at” philanthropy.

Sheridan Mourns Kim Love, Broadcast Pioneer And Philanthropist

Sheridan broadcast pioneer and business owner Kim Love died Saturday. Friends and family recall him as outspoken, never afraid to say what was on his mind, and a stalwart economic and civic backer of Sheridan known as a “genius at” philanthropy.

Renée JeanMay 26, 2025