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.
Latest from Renée Jean
Military Is Always On The Menu For Former Marine And Stanley Hotel Chocolatier
A U.S. Marine reservist is behind the gourmet chocolates that can be found at the historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. And, while it’s not something he advertises, the military insignias and American flags he makes are among his favorites
Renée JeanMay 07, 2023
Wind Turbine Technician Is a High-Flying, High-Paying Job If You’ve Got The Brains, Brawn And Nerve
Entry-level wind energy technicians can expect to pull a $60,000 annual salary right after graduating from Laramie County Community College's Wind Energy Program. If you are willing to travel, you can start at $140,000 with per diem.
Renée JeanMay 07, 2023
Slow Isn’t Just For Food Any More — Slow Flower Movement Is Blooming In Wyoming
Kat Vonz of Cheyenne is part of the slow flower movement, which, like the “slow” or local food movement, encourages consumers to buy local products that support the domestic economy. She grows 10,000 flowers annually in less than 3,000 square feet on an urban lot in Cheyenne.
Renée JeanMay 07, 2023
A Mountain West Legend, The Story Of Isabella Bird And Mountain Man Jim, Is 150 Years Old
Wyoming and Colorado were not yet states when Isabella Bird passed through on her way to fame and fortune — and an unlikely romance between the Victorian woman and a one-eyed desperado named Rocky Mountain Jim.
Renée JeanMay 06, 2023
The Sky’s Literally The Limit For Wyoming Small Businesses Developing Space Tech Industry
Heavy-hitters like NASA, the newly created U.S. Space Force and the planned multibillion-dollar modernization of the Minutemen III missiles in Cheyenne offer huge financial opportunities for Cowboy State small businesses.
Renée JeanMay 05, 2023
Wyoming Cybersecurity Expert Says Apple Users Shouldn’t Feel Secure — Hackers Are Catching Up To Macs
People who use Apple computers and devices have long enjoyed being more secure with most viruses targeting Windows, but a Wyoming cybersecurity expert says that’s not true anymore as hackers and malware are catching up to Macs.
Renée JeanMay 04, 2023
In Nation’s Wealthiest County, Average Jackson Home Price Holds At Record $5 Million, Doubles In Four Years
The average price of a home in the nation’s wealthiest county is holding at a high of $5 million. In 2019, the average was $2.6 million.
Renée JeanMay 03, 2023
Wyoming Tourism Spending Up $166 Million To $4.5 Billion For 2022, And Early 2023 Looks Even Better
Wyoming tourism has more than recovered economically from the COVID-19 pandemic with $4.5 billion in tourism spending in 2022. And 2023 is off to an even better start.
Renée JeanMay 03, 2023
Near Wyoming: Mountain West Legend Is Inspiration For True Western Restaurant Experience — And It’s Amazing
The Bird and Jim restaurant sources 70% of its ingredients from the Mountain West and prepares them in an elevated way. That, and a relaxed dining atmosphere, make this Estes Park, Colorado, gem a must for a true Western experience.
Renée JeanApril 30, 2023
Outdoor Recreation Has Turned Into An $860 Billion Dollar A Year Industry, How Can Wyoming Take Advantage Of It?
More than 200 stakeholders in the Wyoming tourism industry came together in Laramie last week to figure out how to best take advantage of the booming outdoor recreation business.
Renée JeanApril 30, 2023
Cheyenne’s Sturgis House, One Of Wyoming's Most Historical Homes, On The Market
One of Wyoming's most historically important homes, The Sturgis House, was built in 1884 by a then-famous New York architect George Rainsford. The two Sturgis brothers were among founders of the Wyoming Stock Growers’ Association. The 7,500-foot house, which boasts 32 rooms, just came on the market.
Renée JeanApril 30, 2023
International Trade Show In Casper Expected To Attract $100+ Million For Wyoming Tourism
Casper will be the Wyoming host city for a 2024 event that will bring dozens of travel agents looking for unique Western experiences to offer their clientele. It’s anticipated the International Roundup will bring more than $100 million in visitor spending to the Cowboy State.
Renée JeanApril 28, 2023
Wyoming’s Gen Z Is Dreaming Up Ways To Bring Tech Outdoors With Smart Parks
University of Wyoming students are exploring what the future of outdoors tourism can look like for the Cowboy State. One idea is Smart Parks, which uses smartphones to enhance how people recreate outdoors.
Renée JeanApril 28, 2023
Kroger Urges California Court To Toss Consumer Lawsuit Over $25 Billion Mega Merger With Albertsons
The mega merger of Albertsons and Kroger has been sharply criticized by a union that represents hundreds of Wyoming grocery store workers. Regardless of how it fares, the consumer lawsuit is part of opposition that continues to build against the $25 billion deal.
Renée JeanApril 26, 2023
Replacing Minuteman III Missiles Around Cheyenne Will Bring In $2.6 Billion In Construction Money
The economic impact of replacing the Minuteman III missiles located in the Cheyenne area will be gigantic. Not only will the workforce increase by 5,000 people but construction costs alone are estimated to be $2.6 billion dollars.
Renée JeanApril 25, 2023
Facebook Settles Privacy Lawsuit, But Wyoming Cybersecurity Experts Say Plenty Of Issues Remain
Wyomingites who were Facebook users anytime during the past 15 years qualify for a sliver of a $725 million settlement over privacy issues.
Renée JeanApril 25, 2023
Wyoming Bed Bath & Beyond Stores Shuttered As Company Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Bed Bath & Beyond staff told Cowboy State Daily in February that its Cheyenne and Casper stores would likely linger until May, but their last day was Sunday, with the retailer announcing it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Renée JeanApril 24, 2023
Riverton Woman Has Rolled Past 611,000 Miles In Her Toyota Corolla
Melissa Gardner says maintenance is the key to piling up 611,000 miles on her 2007 Toyota Corolla. The Riverton, Wyoming woman plans to keep driving Corolla until the “engine falls out on the highway.”
Renée JeanApril 23, 2023
New Triceratops Exhibit At Wyoming State Museum Already A Hit Even Before It Opens
A new Triceratops that’s part of a display opening in May is already on display at the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne, and was the star of an adults-only Jurassic party to preview the exhibit — even though he’s really a Cretaceous kid.
Renée JeanApril 23, 2023
Brotherhood Of Cheyenne Firefighters Includes Two Who Are Actually Brothers
After college, the lives of the two brothers diverged for a time, until one of became a firefighter. That ultimately brought them together as Cheyenne firefighters in what’s become a dream job for both.
Renée JeanApril 22, 2023
Wyoming Man Who Wore Original Taco John’s Mascot Suit Says It Was A Horrible Job
It's been 40 years, but Dave Herrington will never forget his experience as one of the original mascots for Cheyenne-based Taco John's. The heavy costumes were not well-ventilated which was an issue in the summer heat.
Renée JeanApril 22, 2023