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

Crypto Whale Kraken Moves Headquarters To Wyoming From California

Kraken, a nearly $3 billion cryptocurrency exchange, announced that it has moved its headquarters to Cheyenne. The CEO told Cowboy State Daily they picked Wyoming because of its commitment to individual liberty, regulatory clarity and innovation.

Renée JeanJune 24, 2025

Strong Personalities Behind Rift Keeping Star Plunge Closed

A pair of state senators tried to broker a deal last month that would reopen the popular Star Plunge at Hot Springs State Park. It didn’t work, and strong personalities on both sides have opened a rift that’s keeping Star Plunge closed.

Renée JeanJune 23, 2025

Jim Robinson found this pair of mule-ear boots abandoned in an old attic in Cripple Creek, Colorado, back in the 1990s. He dates the books back to somewhere between 1890 and 1910, which made them close to a century or so old when he found them.

You’ve Seen This Casper Man Wearing Rare 130-Year-Old Mule-Ear Boots In Movies

Jim Robinson of Casper found a pair of rare mule-ear cowboy boots from the 1890s in a dusty old cabin in Colorado. You’ve likely seen him wearing the boots in several movies, including “Rough Riders.”

Renée JeanJune 23, 2025

Felix Santana talks about his Andalusian horse Romano after a performance during the final Chris LeDoux Days rodeo.

Majestic Andalusian War Horse Wows Wyoming Crowd

Watching the Spanish war horse Romano perform, one would never guess that this majestic Andalusian horse was thought to be untrainable. The beautiful stallion, who appeared at Chris LeDoux Days, danced in time to music like the spirit of some Spanish dancer lives inside him.

Renée JeanJune 22, 2025

Wyoming exports 15 times more energy than it consumes but is falling behind in providing power for its own economic development, like data centers.

Wyoming Exports 15 Times More Power Than It Uses, But Is Struggling With In-State Needs

Wyoming has long been one of the nation’s largest energy producers, exporting 15 times more power than it consumes. But the state is struggling to provide power for its own economic development.

Renée JeanJune 22, 2025

Honeybee operations in Wyoming have been scrambling to get ready for the honey to flow with unusually large colony losses earlier this year. The Honey House in Dubois says it’s ready — just barely — for a new tourism season.

Huge Honeybee Losses Have Wyoming Beekeepers Scrambling As Season Starts

It’s been a difficult year for the Honey House in Dubois. The bee farm that supports the store, located in Crowheart, lost 67% of its colonies this year. The loss was part of a wave of unusually large-scale honeybee losses throughout the Rocky Mountain and Midwest regions.

Renée JeanJune 22, 2025

Wyoming Closer To Using Gold And Silver As Legal Currency

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 or selling the precious metals.

Renée JeanJune 20, 2025

The Bureau of Land Management has tapped Wyoming land expert Brenda Younkin for a role as senior advisor while the Trump administration considers selling federal lands.

Wyoming Land Expert Tapped For BLM As Trump Considers Selling Federal Land

A Wyoming land expert with deep ranching roots has been tapped for a senior position with the Bureau of Land Management. Her appointment comes at a time when the potential sale of public lands in Wyoming has become a lightning rod across the state.

Renée JeanJune 19, 2025

Thunder Plains just south of Cheyenne had planned to open Wyoming’s first privately-owned horse racing track in the fall. A backlog in getting electricity to the site, and a soggy spring, have delayed that opening timeline.

Wyoming’s First Private 1-Mile Horse Racing Track Faces Delays

Thunder Plains just east of Cheyenne had planned to open Wyoming’s first privately-owned horse racing track in the fall. A backlog in getting electricity to the site, and a soggy spring, have delayed that opening timeline.

Renée JeanJune 18, 2025

Jackson Council OKs 244,000-Square-Foot Hotel Complex, Largest Ever For Town

Jackson Town Council on Monday approved the town’s largest ever hotel and condo complex, a massive 244,000-square-foot development by Mogul Capital. It’s a third smaller than the company’s original proposal and will take up a city block.

Renée JeanJune 17, 2025

A crowd danced as Ned LeDoux sang "Cowboy Life" during the final Chris LeDoux Days in Kaycee, Wyoming.

Rain Can’t Keep Record Crowd From Kaycee For 15th And Final Chris LeDoux Days

The 15th and last Chris LeDoux Days drew a record crowd of 4,000-6,000 people to Kaycee, Wyoming, on Saturday. Many waited an hour in the rain to hear Chris LeDoux’s son Ned sing.

Renée JeanJune 17, 2025

Two of Wyoming’s top three industries — agriculture and hospitality — have long had a reputation for relying on undocumented workers. President Trump may soften his immigration crackdown for those industries.

Trump May Soften ICE Crackdown For Two Of Wyoming’s Top Industries

Two of Wyoming’s top three industries — agriculture and hospitality — have long had national reputations for relying on undocumented workers. President Trump may soften his immigration crackdown for those industries.

Renée JeanJune 16, 2025

Other Authors

Don Hardy grew up in Cody, Wyoming, but has had a wanderlust love for travel his whole life, capped by a recent around-the-world tour with wife Rebecca. A starving boy in Ethiopia he met during his time in the Navy motivates him to do more than see the sights.

Around-The-World Tour Caps Decades Of Travel For Wanderlust Wyomingite

Don Hardy grew up in Cody but has had a wanderlust love for travel his whole life, capped by a recent around-the-world tour. A starving boy in Ethiopia he met during his time in the Navy motivates him to do more than see the sights.

Renée JeanJune 16, 2025

Devils Tower National Monument in northeast Wyoming is one of the state's busiest places during the summer tourism season.

International Tourism To Wyoming Drops But Domestic Visitors Are Up

While there are reports of fewer international tourists scattered across Wyoming than previous years, domestic visitors are flocking to the state — earlier than usual. Tourism officials believe they could help make up the difference.

Renée JeanJune 15, 2025

Chef Petrine Peart talks about the latest episode of "Yes Chef!" during a Watch Party at Brownies Tasting Bar in Cheyenne.

Wyoming Celebrity Chef Brought Back After First-Round Knockout On ‘Yes, Chef!’

Cheyenne celebrity chef Petrina Peart was knocked out of Martha Stewart's reality television show “Yes, Chef!” on NBC in the first round. But she was brought back and is hosting watch parties to celebrate. She's still in contention for the $250,000 grand prize.

Renée JeanJune 14, 2025

At Wyoming’s historic Fort Laramie, there’s plenty to explore during the summer tourism season. That’s made bearable by thousands of bats that return each summer to gorge on mosquitoes and other insects.

The Bats Of Fort Laramie Have Returned For Another Summer In Bat Heaven

Thousands of bats have returned to Historic Fort Laramie in southeastern Wyoming. Right before each bat comes out into the night, their vocalizations suddenly stop. There’s a silent pause and then out they come with a dramatic entrance, gracefully, but silently, dipping and swooping.

Renée JeanJune 14, 2025

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

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

Chad Brown poses in front of a section of about 480 barrels in the backrooms of Pine Bluffs Distillery.

Pine Bluffs Distilling Wins International Award With Wyoming-Grown Whiskey

Pine Bluffs Distilling’s straight rye whiskey won a prestigious double-gold medal at an American Distilling Institute international competition. It’s a big win for a small-town craft distillery that makes whiskey with Wyoming-grown ingredients.

Renée JeanMay 26, 2025

Artifacts that date back to 16,000 years ago have been recently found in Sunrise, Wyoming, older than the site’s previous 14,000-year-old find. That’s the oldest yet evidence of people in the Western High Plains.

Wyoming Ghost Town Site Gives Up Evidence Of People From 16,000 Years Ago

Artifacts that date back to 16,000 years ago have been recently found at the ghost town site of Sunrise, Wyoming — older than the site’s previous 14,000-year-old find. That’s the oldest evidence yet of people in the Western High Plains.

Renée JeanMay 26, 2025