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RJ
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

Once a weathered wooden box with a revered view of Cheyenne Frontier Days' timed events, Chute 9 has been rebuilt as a three-level VIP cathedral, left background. “Once you go up there, it’s going to be hard to go back to sitting in the stands,” said CEO Tom Hirsig.

From Basic Box To VIP Showpiece: New Chute 9 To Debut At Cheyenne Frontier Days

Diehard rodeo fans say there's no better place to watch Cheyenne Frontier Days than Chute 9. Now it's even better as it's been rebuilt as a three-level VIP cathedral. “It’s the most incredible outdoor rodeo experience in the country," CFD's Tom Hirsig says.

Renée JeanJuly 11, 2026

Tommy Martin works at a Microsoft data center in Wyoming.

Could Data Center Jobs Stop Young Adults From Leaving Wyoming?

As Wyoming watches up to 70% of its young adults leave by age 30, a Cheyenne native’s path at Microsoft shows how data center jobs could help reverse the state’s biggest export — it’s own people. Tommy Martin returned home a decade ago and built a career.

Renée JeanJuly 10, 2026

Guernsey pipeline 7 10 26

Second Half Of Smarter Keystone XL Oil Pipeline Proposed, From Guernsey To Oklahoma

A new crude oil pipeline proposed between Guernsey and Oklahoma that could carry up to 1.3 million barrels of crude per day would strengthen Wyoming’s role as a key crossroads. A national analyst said Guernsey is the Rocky Mountain's "most important hub."

Renée JeanJuly 10, 2026

The 2.7-gigawatt data center once called Project Jade 8 miles south of Cheyenne has been unmasked as a massive Google campus.

Say Hello To Google, The Mystery Owner Behind Wyoming's Largest Data Center Project

The 2.7-gigawatt data center once called Project Jade 8 miles south of Cheyenne has been unmasked as a massive Google campus. Google’s project, according to planning documents, will be a 716-acre campus in the Switchgrass Industrial Park.

Renée JeanJuly 08, 2026

The Related Digital data center under construction in east Cheyenne on Monday, July 6, 2026.

Data Centers Test Wyoming’s Promise Not To ‘Piss Away’ The Next Boom

The old Wyoming bumper sticker reads, “Dear God give me one more boom and I promise not to piss it all away next time.” Data centers may just be that next boom. So, how far to go in courting prosperity without losing the things that make Wyoming, Wyoming?

Renée JeanJuly 06, 2026

Each tank offers a different slice of American history, spanning an 80-year period.

Dubois’ One-Of-A-Kind Military Tank Parade Celebrates America's 250th

On America’s 250th, Dubois did something few towns in America can do — fielding a parade with more than two dozen military tanks and vehicles spanning 80 years of U.S. history. "It’s the most unique parade in America,” said one patriotic-feeling parade-goer.

Renée JeanJuly 05, 2026

Once nearly made a ghost town from a uranium industry bust, a company things producing Wyoming jade near there can be the town's second chance as prosperity.

Jeffrey City’s Second Act: From Near Uranium Ghost Town To Jade Comeback

Known for uranium and then near-abandonment, Jeffrey City is getting a second look from a Canadian geologist who says new science — and evolving markets — could turn Wyoming’s deposits of jade into a new industry for the tiny almost-ghost town.

Renée JeanJuly 05, 2026

The historic Anderson Lodge in Wyoming's remote Shoshoni National Forest.

Inside The Mission To Save 136-Year-Old Anderson Lodge In Wyoming Bear Country

Saving the 136-year-old Anderson Lodge deep in Wyoming’s Shoshone National Forest is not easy. As it's a wilderness area, no mechanized tools or equipment are allowed and everything must be carried in. There's no running to Lowe’s if something is forgotten

Renée JeanJuly 05, 2026

Billy the Kid is just tone of the outlaws this Wanted Dead or Alive Harley-Davidson highlights. The bike's theme was created by retired Torrington lawman Randy Giles.

Retired Wyoming Lawman’s Outlaw Harley Turns Heads Across West

After retired Torrington lawman Randy Giles totaled his Harley, he didn’t walk away from it. The former auto body repairman turned it into a Western-themed town marshal’s show bike. His outlaw Harley has been beating big-name builders in shows across the West.

Renée JeanJuly 04, 2026

Military tanks spent an hour crushing cars Friday as an enthusiastic crowd cheered to celebrate America’s 250th in Dubois. “What’s more American than machine guns and tanks crushing cars?” said National Museum of Military Vehicles owner Dan Starks.

Dubois Military Museum Celebrates 250th By Crushing Cars With Tanks

Military tanks spent an hour crushing cars Friday as an enthusiastic crowd cheered to celebrate America’s 250th at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois. “What’s more American than machine guns and tanks crushing cars?” owner Dan Starks said.

Renée JeanJuly 04, 2026

A Wyoming oilman says it missed out on $100-a-barrel oil during a seven-year fight to get the OK to drill on federal land in the Powder River Basin. "We would have had three months of oil at $100 a barrel,” said Howard Cooper, owner of Three Crown Petroleum. “Now we’ve lost 30% of value."

Wyoming Company Missed Out On $100 Oil With 7-Year Wait To Drill On Federal Land

A Wyoming oilman says it missed out on $100-a-barrel oil during a seven-year fight to get the OK to drill on federal land in the Powder River Basin. "We would have had three months of oil at $100 a barrel,” the owner said. “Now we’ve lost 30% of value."

Renée JeanJuly 03, 2026

Jerimiah Rieman rides his mountain bike out on the new trails that opened up Wednesdy on the Belvoir Ranch west of Cheyenne on July 1, 2026.

After More Than 20 Years, Cheyenne Opens Belvoir Ranch To The Public

Recreationists celebrated Wednesday evening as the 18,800-acre Belvoir Ranch west of Cheyenne was opened to the public. The new recreation area provides 13 miles of trails and give hikers and cyclists a long-promised playground in the city’s backyard.

Renée JeanJuly 02, 2026

Other Authors

After a rocky, two-year run for Gillette’s $200 million state-of-the-art Hoskinson Health & Wellness Clinic, Monument Health has struck a deal to keep the facility open and plugging it into the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Hoskinson was losing millions every month.

Monument Health Takes Over Gillette’s Hoskinson Clinic, Which Was Losing Millions

After a rocky, two-year run for Gillette’s $200 million state-of-the-art Hoskinson Health & Wellness Clinic, Monument Health has struck a deal to keep the facility open and plugging it into the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Hoskinson was losing millions every month.

Renée JeanJuly 01, 2026

The Cody Fourth of July Parade is one of the largest in Wyoming.

Wyoming’s Over-The-Top 250th Celebration Comes With Tanks, Flyovers, History

From C-130 flyovers and tank parades to new monuments and a new state trail, Wyoming’s America 250 celebration isn’t a one-day bash. “We still have a lot to be thankful for in this country,” said one organizer about what's planned across the Cowboy State.

Renée JeanJuly 01, 2026

Chugwater's newest business on its tiny main drag is BB West Vintage, a boutique clothing store which has just opened.

Italian-Trained Fashion Stylist Opens Vintage Western Boutique In Chugwater

A woman who grew up in the high-powered fashion industry in Italy and New York has decided to open a vintage Western boutique out of a former Standard gas station in Chugwater. She’d owned a boutique in Brooklyn so she knows how difficult retail can be.

Renée JeanJune 28, 2026

Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival is leaving Colorado and returning to Cheyenne as Wyoming’s capitol city becomes more of a convention destination. “They were at the Hitching Post 20 years ago at least, so this is actually a return," says Visit Cheyenne.

Cheyenne Swipes Major, Long-Time Cigar Convention From Colorado

The Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival is leaving Colorado after 16 years and coming to Cheyenne. The festival regularly hosts 2,500 fanatics from across the nation and around the world. It will take up nine hotels and put the city's trolley service to the test.

Renée JeanJune 28, 2026

Clay Gibbons tells the story of this sagging log barn in the Hole in the Wall country. It belonged to Alex Ghent, who raised fast horses for the denizens of the Hole in the Wall country

A Day At Wyoming’s Notorious Hole In The Wall Outlaw Hideout

In a modern West where history is increasingly paved over, Wyoming’s notorious Hole in the Wall outlaw hideout remains just as wild as it was more than a century ago. Here, a towering red rock wall rises 400 feet and stretches for 35 miles. 

Renée JeanJune 28, 2026

Clay Gibbons tells the story of this sagging log barn in the Hole in the Wall country. It belonged to Alex Ghent, who raised fast horses for the denizens of the Hole in the Wall country

A Day At Wyoming’s Notorious Hole In The Wall Outlaw Hideout

In a modern West where history is increasingly paved over, Wyoming’s notorious Hole in the Wall outlaw hideout remains just as wild as it was more than a century ago. Here, a towering red rock wall rises 400 feet and stretches for 35 miles. 

Renée JeanJune 28, 2026

Teresa Hoover, front, makes the many treats sold by her company Sheep Mountain by hand. She's one of many finding the dog treat business to be a lucrative side gig.

Those Doggone Treats: The Wild New World Of Pet Pampering Is Booming

Wyomingites are finding a lucrative opportunity in creating over-the-top dog treats for pets. Wheatland's Teresa Hoover makes freeze-dried turkey meatballs, chicken-and-fresh coconut crunch sticks, pumpkin muffins, and dehydrated chicken feet.

Renée JeanJune 27, 2026

Ian McGregor, co-owner of Farmstead Cider.

Wyoming’s Ghost Apple Orchard Trees Have Been Rediscovered And Are Producing

Wyoming was once thick with apples. In fact, it was a top apple producer. Now those forgotten apple trees are being rediscovered by small cider houses. "They're everywhere," said one cider house owner. "Lander was called Apple Town before Lander."

Renée JeanJune 27, 2026

One of Fort Bridger's most reliable "staffers" is Mac, who first arrived in 1888 and seems to have never left. Mac likes to be photographed, set off alarms and lock visitors in. Now Fort Bridger is embracing a new market — haunted tourism. There are many graves at the Fort Bridger site, including this Carter family plot.

Ghostly Gold Rush: Fort Bridger Chases Haunted Tourism Dollars

Haunted tourism isn’t fringe anymore. It’s become a $34 billion-dollar segment of the tourism industry. Fort Bridger is among those leaning into dark tourism this year with its most famous ghost, Mac, and a three-day paranormal experience next month.

Renée JeanJune 27, 2026

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