Business & Tourism
News

Drinking Wyoming: No, You’re Not Drunk — That’s Just DT's Dancing Pink Elephant
Back in 1975, a hitchhiker woke up beneath Cheyenne’s giant pink elephant and wondered if he was hallucinating. He wasn’t. The booze-loving pachyderm has been bobbing over DT’s for decades. "We make sure that we keep that icon moving," says DT's owner.
Kolby FedoreAugust 15, 2026

Moneymaker: Casper Bartenders Work Sturgis Every Year And Can Make $1,500 Per Night
This is the fifth year Sam Husted and Sam Rollins have gone to Sturgis to work at The Buffalo Chip. The Casper bartenders are known as 'The Sams' and they can make $1,500 per night. August is harvest season. And money is growing everywhere.
Kolby FedoreAugust 14, 2026

Sturgis 2026: Hulett's Ham & Jam — The Detour Party That's Become A Destination
Hulett's Ham and Jam is supposed to be a one-day party. Ride in, have a Bloody Mary, eat a pork sandwich, and roar off into the distance toward Sturgis. But it's become such a popular event, the 30,000 bikers who visit every year have extended their stay.
Renée JeanAugust 13, 2026

Dimwitted Tourist Illegally Climbs Yellowstone's Upper Falls, Brags About 'Risky View'
A dimwitted tourist posted a video of himself illegally climbing above the Upper Falls of the Grand Canyon in Yellowstone earlier this week. He bragged about the "risky view" and how it gave him adrenaline. The Instagram post could result in charges.
Andrew RossiAugust 13, 2026

Zoinks! Gas Is $6 A Gallon In Muddy Gap — That's 42% Higher Than Wyoming Average
If you need gas while traveling on Wyoming Highway 220 near Independence Rock, get ready to pay for it through the nose. Gas is selling for $6 a gallon — 42% higher than the state's average. "We get some angry customers," says manager Tavienna Lozier.
Kolby FedoreAugust 12, 2026

Colorado-Wyoming Passenger Rail Can Happen If Cheyenne Provides Funding Support
Leaders of a project to provide passenger rail service between Colorado and Wyoming say it can happen if Cheyenne does its part with funding support approved by voters. “If we can go to Mars, we can go 45 miles from Cheyenne to Fort Collins,” said one supporter.
Kerry DrakeAugust 10, 2026
Small Casper Railroad's 18-Track Yard Is More Than A Parking Lot For Rail Cars
Wyoming Railroad’s 18-track rail yard in Casper used to deal with 500 rail cars a month on its 19,000 feet of track. Now it’s about 150. It’s an alternative for smaller companies that want to use rail instead of trucks.
Dale KillingbeckAugust 09, 2026

Visiting The New High-Tech Teddy Roosevelt Library In Medora, North Dakota
Cowboy State Daily's Anna-Louise Jackson visited the new Theodore Roosevelt National Library in Medora, North Dakota. She highly recommends the journey as it offers a winding and interactive high-tech journey through the extraordinary life of America's 26th president.
Anna-Louise JacksonAugust 09, 2026

Cowboy Rides All 2,000 Miles Of Pony Express, Says Wyoming Weather Overwhelming
Cowboy and journalist Will Grant rode all 2,000 miles of the Pony Express trail on horseback. He said the trip gave him a newfound respect for Wyoming weather. Mosquitoes in Jeffrey City are bad, while South Pass can be freezing cold even in July.
Renée JeanAugust 09, 2026
Alta Rancher Will Sue After Teton County Says He Can’t Build Huge Barn On His Land
An Alta-area ranch owner says he plans to sue after Teton County rejected his plan to build a huge 6,500-square-foot barn on his land. Some neighbors also don’t want it, calling it more of “an amusement park” than a working barn.
Kolby FedoreAugust 09, 2026

Conservationists To Sue Forest Service To Stop Cattle Grazing In Gros Ventre Range
Conservationists plan to sue the Forest Service to stop grazing on a part of Wyoming’s remote Gros Ventre Range. They say it will lead to grizzlies killing cattle and, in turn, wildlife agents killing the bears. A cattleman from the area disagrees.
Mark HeinzAugust 07, 2026

Bison Tosses, Tourons And Cowboys: Why Yellowstone Is No. 1 National Park Online
Yellowstone is America’s No. 1 national park on Google, passing the Grand Canyon. Bison tossing people and bad-behaving visitors help, as people can’t seem to get enough of would-be wildlife paparazzi crowding animals that only appear to be docile.
Renée JeanAugust 07, 2026

Hageman Says Wolf Delisting Bill Stalled By ‘Elitist East Coast Politicians’
A bill to delist wolves across the Lower 48 co-sponsored by Wyoming U.S. Sens. Barrasso and Lummis was blocked by a New Jersey Democrat. Rep. Hageman on Wednesday blasted "elitist East Coast politicians' continued objections to common-sense proposals.”
Mark HeinzAugust 05, 2026

Drier Air, Cooler Nights Helped Wyoming Avoid South Dakota's Cattle Catastrophe
Lower humidity and relatively cool nights helped Wyoming cattle endure a record heat wave, ranchers say. South Dakota wasn't so fortunate, losing as many as 2,000 head to heat and humidity at a time when America's herd is at a 75-year low.
Kate MeadowsAugust 05, 2026

Kaboom! Value Of Jackson Luxury Property Has Exploded In Value Since 1995
A new 30-year analysis shows longtime Jackson Hole luxury property values have absolutely exploded in value since 1995. One 5.43-acre property increased in value from $275,000 in 1995 to $5.45 million in 2025, a 1,981% gain.
Renée JeanAugust 05, 2026

Some In Evanston ‘Not Happy’ With Plan For Another Horse-Betting Parlor In Town
A proposal for another horse betting and bar facility in an area zoned Highway Business in Evanston has cleared a key hurdle this week, but not without some vocal opposition from locals. "Needless to say, we're not happy," said one angry resident.
Kate MeadowsAugust 05, 2026

New Fed Chief Visits As Two Elite Summits Puts Wyoming At Center Of Money Fight
In the span of a week, Teton County will host a 500-person, invite-only, digital-asset “Davos.” That will be followed by the Federal Reserve’s elite annual retreat. Each event is another round in a high-stakes wrestling match over the future of money.
Renée JeanAugust 04, 2026

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Is Make-Or-Break For Businesses In Small Wyoming Towns
A stream of bikers on their way to and from the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally create the biggest business week of the year for small northeast Wyoming towns. Bikers stay at motels, pack bars, eat and gas up — helping some businesses thrive, and others survive.
Renée JeanAugust 02, 2026
Why Texas Turned To Casper Scottsdale Mint To Produce Gold, Silver Coins
As the first state to authorize official commemorative coins and have a depository for precious metals, the State of Texas turned to Casper's Scottsdale Mint to produce gold and silver coins. They chose Casper because it rivals the quality of the U.S. Mint.
Dale KillingbeckAugust 02, 2026

How "Wire Winders" Roll Up Old Fencing Quickly, Keep Wildlife From Getting Tangled
With countless miles of rusty old fences threatening wildlife across Wyoming, conservationists say devices called wire winders are a game changer. They can roll up a half-mile of old fence in two minutes, a task that would take a half-day by hand,
Mark HeinzAugust 02, 2026

How A Saratoga Woman Built An International Western Fashion Brand From Her Bedroom
A Saratoga woman was determined to remain a stay-at-home mom, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t build an international Western fashion brand. Her business Pure Dixie started in a 150-square-foot bedroom, now takes up two warehouses and continues to grow.
Renée JeanAugust 01, 2026

Cody's Wayfarer's Chapel: A Peaceful Place To Worship, But Bring Your Bear Spray
The Wayfarer’s Chapel is a sacred spot to worship on the Shoshone National Forest between Cody and Yellowstone. It’s also one of the only chapels where you should bring bear spray. “We had a grizzly stroll through a Father’s Day service," the reverend said.
Andrew RossiAugust 01, 2026

T Diamond Ranch, Legacy Black Hills Spread, Hits Wyoming Market For $5 Million
Another of Wyoming’s legacy ranches is hitting the market after nearly a century of stewardship. The T Diamond Ranch in Crook County comes with a 7,500-square-foot mansion, trout streams, scenic red bluffs, and a front-row seat to the Black Hills.
Renée JeanAugust 01, 2026

Home Prices In Northeast Wyoming Jump 20% While Much Of U.S. Market Cools
From Gillette to Aladdin, home prices are up 20% and inventory is scarce as retirees have discovered northeast Wyoming. That has the region bucking a national trend of a cooling housing market. “We have record low inventory,” one real estate agent said.
Renée JeanJuly 31, 2026
