Business & Tourism | Cowboy State Daily

Brothers Who Sold $264M Ski Empire To Vail Resorts Set To Buy Snowy Range Ski Area

Brothers who ran Peak Resorts before selling to Vail Resorts for $264 million in 2019 are now negotiating to buy Snowy Range Ski Area in southern Wyoming. "We love to ski, and we just miss being around it," said Jesse Boyd, one of the brothers.

Renée JeanNovember 04, 2026

‘A Sucker Punch’: WE Soda To Cut 350 Jobs In Shift Away From Underground Mining

WE Soda announced Wednesday it will cut 350 jobs and ditch underground dry mining to fight Chinese competition, leaving its 800 workers reeling. “It feels almost like a sucker punch,” for the Wyoming trona mine's workers, said its union president.

Emma Jane JacksonNovember 04, 2026

Cheyenne Committee Recommends Forced Annexation Of Urban Farm

Cheyenne's Public Services Committee recommended Monday that the City Council annex Wy Fresh Farm despite months of intense opposition from the urban farm’s owners. "Mark my words, it absolutely will put us out of business,” said an owner.

Kate MeadowsNovember 03, 2026

For nearly 50 years, Shane Smith has provided the drive and vision for what has become the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, a world-class feature that would be a jewel in a city 20 times the size of Cheyenne.

Cheyenne Botanic Gardens: From Humble Greenhouse To World-Class In 50 Years

For most of its 50 years of existence, Shane Smith provided the drive and vision for what has become the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, a world-class facility that would be a jewel in a city 20 times the size of Cheyenne. The gardens welcomed its 500,000th visitor last week.

Kerry DrakeNovember 02, 2026

A film crew moves in close for a shot of Clyde the Buffalo. Owner Clint Mortenson is kneeling.

Celebrity Bison Clyde Draws A Crowd While Filming TV Show In Downtown Sheridan

Nothing quite prepares someone for rounding a corner on Sheridan’s Main Street and coming face-to-face with Clyde, a 2,000-pound celebrity bison and literally Hollywood’s biggest star. The bad-ass bovine drew a crowd filming a TV show last weekend.

Renée JeanNovember 02, 2026

The old Wyoming Bar, the last original Front Street building in Rawlins, is coming down after 136 years of saloons, brothels and decay. It once housed a pleasure house and rented club rooms. “It breaks my heart to tear it down,” said a city official.

The Wyoming Bar In Rawlins: 136 Years Of Saloons & Brothels Is Getting Torn Down

Pam Thayer has spent more than 20 years trying to protect and revitalize downtown Rawlins. That makes what she is preparing to do to one of Front Street’s oldest survivors — the Wyoming Bar — especially painful. “It breaks my heart to tear it down," she said.

Kolby FedoreNovember 02, 2026

Mark Demple holds up a bottle of whiskey that one of his ancestors produced.

Sheridan’s PO News & Flagstaff Cafe Is Like Having Breakfast In A Time Capsule

Breakfast at the PO News & Flagstaff Cafe in Sheridan is a Twilight Zone experience. It's a time capsule from 1916, that has endured mostly unchanged for 110 years. "What it looks like today is what it looked like then," says co-owner Mark Demple.

Renée JeanNovember 01, 2026

Lane Hageman, a Goshen County farmer, has grown up on his family’s ranch and expects to inherit it one day along with his brother. “Every single thing we do on our ranch we make it work with our cows,” he said.

Next Generation Of Wyoming Ranchers Getting Priced Out Of Their Family Legacy

Soaring land prices, rising costs and an aging generation of ranchers are converging into a crisis for the next generation of Wyoming ranch families. They’re getting priced out of their legacy operations — and changing the state’s agriculture industry.

Kate MeadowsNovember 01, 2026

The Average Sheridan Family Qualifies For $220,000 Less Than The Median Home Price

Sheridan’s housing market mirrors communities across Wyoming, where the average family only qualifies for about $220,000 less than the median home price of $585,000. That’s pricing out its “missing middle” — nurses, teachers, cops and blue-collar workers.

Renée JeanNovember 01, 2026

A dairy cow at Shumway Farms with the retail store in the background.

Afton’s Shumway Farms, Last Of Wyoming’s Star Valley Dairies, Stages Comeback

Afton's Shumway Farms is the last legacy dairy left in Star Valley, which was once known as America’s “Little Switzerland.” Now the western Wyoming dairy is staging a comeback that’s about to go national.

Renée JeanNovember 01, 2026

A Wyoming aviation group has begun repainting the giant yellow airstrip arrows that once guided airmail pilots across the state.

Wyoming’s Huge Arrows That Guided 1920s Airmail Repainted Original Bright Yellow

The giant concrete arrows across southern Wyoming that guided 1920s airmail pilots originally were bright yellow to make them stand out. Repainting them is a way an aviation group is keeping the arrows from fading away into history.

Renée JeanNovember 01, 2026

Aladdin's coal tipple is on its last legs. Wyoming preservation groups hope to save it. It's among the last wooden coal tipples still standing.

Race Is On To Save West's Last 19th-Century Wooden Coal Tipple In Aladdin

Leaning and close to collapse, the race is on to save the West’s last 19th-century wooden coal tipple in Aladdin, which has stood since 1895. One organizer of the rescue said every other wooden tipple in the U.S. built before 1900 has collapsed.

Renée JeanOctober 31, 2026

Ben and Holly Roemeling split their time between a ranch near Laramie and a farm near Torrington, where they have built a cattle herd of 30 to 40 head and expanded into crop production.

How To Start A Ranch From Scratch In Wyoming — Without Winning The Lottery

Three Wyoming women have built their own farming and ranching operations from scratch, with little money and no inherited agricultural operation — but plenty of determination. They say the secret is to start small, ask for help and be willing to learn.

Kate MeadowsOctober 31, 2026

Paul and Lynn Montoya of Laramie, Wyoming, talk about abruptly being kicked off the cruise ship they were living on in Cambodia.

Wyoming Couple Who Sold Everything To Live On Cruise Ship Stranded In Cambodia

A Laramie couple who sold their home so they could live on a cruise ship is stranded in Cambodia after the company ran out of money for fuel. After spending $450,000 so far, Paul and Lynn Montoya are stuck. "I'm angry," Lynn Montoya said.

Renée JeanOctober 30, 2026

Next to the main residence is a state-of-the-art 9,650-square-foot airplane hanger with a direct taxiway to a runway. The hangar's mezzanine level is a unique space with a stone-clad fireplace and bar area perfect for entertaining.

14-Acre Alpine, Wyoming, Estate With Airplane Hangar Lists For $48.5 Million

For those who prefer an airplane hangar and runway on their own property, this 14-acre, Alpine, Wyoming, estate may be a good fit. The $48.5 million property has 17 bedrooms, 17 baths, employee housing, room for a chef, and a cabin for guests.

Renée JeanOctober 30, 2026

Tom Hirsig is stepping down as Cheyenne Frontier Days CEO following the 2027 Daddy of 'em All. He began his tenure leading the world's largest outdoor rodeo since 2015.

Cheyenne Frontier Days CEO Tom Hirsig Stepping Down, 2027 Will Be Last Year

Longtime Cheyenne Frontier Days CEO Tom Hirsig is stepping down after the 2027 Daddy of ’em All, the CFD board announced Thursday. He took heat after eliminating slack competition, but that didn’t influence the decision, said the CFD board chairman.

Renée JeanOctober 29, 2026

A sign at the Jackson Hole Airport reminds travelers that bear spray is forbidden on commercial flights.

Will TSA Really Fine You $1,500 For Forgetting About Bear Spray In Luggage?

Regional airport managers say forgetting about bear spray when checking-in is a bad idea but they don't believe TSA will usually fine passengers for the mistake. "Usually they just get chastised for it," one manager said.

Mark HeinzOctober 28, 2026

Chicken wing drummettes dated Oct. 25 at Albertsons in Casper on Oct. 27.

Shoppers Turned Off By Expired ‘Use By’ Dates On Wyoming Grocery Shelves

Past-date chicken, shrimp and other foods are turning up on Wyoming grocery shelves, and shoppers notice. “That’s a hard pass for me, man,” said a Cheyenne shopper. “I got sick once on some bad meat.”

Kolby Fedore & Greg JohnsonOctober 27, 2026

Bomgaars won’t sell firearms to Colorado residents at the national chain’s Wyoming stores because of the clash in state regulations. On the other hand, “Colorado is the gift that keeps on giving” to smaller businesses, said a Cheyenne gun shop owner.

Bomgaars Won’t Sell Firearms To Coloradans At Its Wyoming Stores

Bomgaars won’t sell firearms to Colorado residents at the national chain’s Wyoming stores because of a clash in state regulations. On the other hand, “Colorado is the gift that keeps on giving” to smaller businesses, said a Cheyenne gun shop owner.

Emma Jane JacksonOctober 26, 2026

It’s Been 35 Years Since Wallop Wondered If A Monorail Would Work In Yellowstone

It’s been 35 years since former U.S. Sen. Malcolm Wallop wondered if a Disney World-like monorail could be a solution to the increasing crowds of tourists flocking to Yellowstone. It never got past the study stage and traffic has nearly doubled since then.

Kerry DrakeOctober 25, 2026

Rustic Enigma's best-selling scented "Calf Slobbers" candle doesn't smell like actual calf slobber. It smells like sweet meringue, which resembles the white foam that builds up around a calf's mouth when it salivates.

It's All In The Name: Ag Woman Creates Candle Called "Calf Slobbers" And It's A Hit

For a woman with deep agricultural roots who became a candlemaker because she was tired of the consumerism of Christmas, she's thrilled her candle "Calf Slobbers" is such a big hit. It may sound gross but to those who know, calf slobbers is a good thing.

Kate MeadowsOctober 25, 2026

The Daddy of 'em All Cheyenne Fronteir Days Rodeo is one of the largest and most important events of the year for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, which is moving its headquarters and hall of fame to Cheyenne.

Push Is On To Maximize Statewide Rodeo Impact From PRCA’s Move To Cheyenne

Cheyenne is getting the PRCA’s rodeo headquarters and Hall of Fame, but Wyoming tourism leaders are pushing for rodeo statewide to maximize the impact. Former Wyoming tourism director Diane Shober says the statewide economic potential is huge.

Renée JeanOctober 25, 2026

From the outside, there’s nothing special about these connected yurts near Pinedale, but inside they’re pure Wyoming Western luxury, listing for $550,000.

Want Acreage & Home Near Pinedale Without Spending A Bazillion Dollars? Buy A Yurt!

As home values continue to increase in Sublette County, there's a way to get 35 acres and a home without spending a bazillion dollars. These connected yurts, which list for $550,000, look gorgeous inside and a fraction of the cost for a traditional home.

Renée JeanOctober 25, 2026

Growing up, Marty Carollo had a front-row seat to the slow-motion decline of the historic Tomahawk Hotel in downtown Green River. Then he decided to do more than stare at the 1921 landmark and revive it — and the city’s downtown district.

Green River Man Saddened With Decline Of Historic Hotel, Organizes Team To Save It

Growing up, Marty Carollo had a front-row seat to the slow-motion decline of the historic 105-year-old Tomahawk Hotel in downtown Green River. Then he decided to do more than stare at the 1921 landmark and revive it — and the city’s downtown district.

Renée JeanOctober 24, 2026