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Headshot of Cowboy State Daily's business and tourism reporter, Renée Jean.
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.

Latest from Renée Jean

Roy Griebler, Wisconsin, has been coming to Hulett's Ham and Jam since the 1980s. He remembers when it was a. bit wilder, but it's still a fun time.

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

Descendants of Jim Baker attending the rededication of the famous mountain man's cabin from left are Michael and Paul McAllister, Chilly Rollison, Cynthia Reschke Collyard, and James Neeley.

Jim Baker Descendants Celebrate Work To Save Forgotten Mountain Man’s Savery Home

Long before he built his cabin in Savery, Jim Baker led two dozen men in an 1841 fight that gave Battle Mountain its name. Now his far-flung descendants and a tiny museum are fighting time, money and rotten logs to save the frontier scout’s last home.

Renée JeanAugust 11, 2026

Colorado cowboy and journalist Will Grant rode all 2,000 miles of the Pony Express trail on horseback. His trip was inspired by the legacy of America’s pioneers, and he said their Code-of-the-West grit and hospitality is still alive, especially in Wyoming.

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

When agriculture took a nosedive in the 1980s, five ranching families in the tiny town of Chugwater decided to do something about it. They formed a company called Chugwater Chili, and 40 years later the chili — and the town — are still going strong.

Chugwater Chili at 40: How Five Families Came Together And Saved Chugwater

When agriculture took a nosedive in the 1980s, five ranching families in tiny Chugwater, Wyoming, decided to do something about it. They formed a company called Chugwater Chili, and 40 years later the chili — and the town — are still going strong.

Renée JeanAugust 09, 2026

The grain elevator has an enormous footprint.

Cheyenne Woman Saving 1910-Era Grain Elevator Wants To Resurrect City’s West Side

The owner of T-Joe’s Steakhouse in Cheyenne just spent $850,000 on a cluster of 1910-era buildings that includes the old Ful-O-Pep grain elevator to resurrect the city’s west side. “It will take a little work, but it won’t take very long,” she said.

Renée JeanAugust 09, 2026

Tell Christopher Volzke he can’t grow something in Wyoming, and it’s game on. Volzke and his wife, Angie, started their Unlocked Vines winery in Casper after winning a silver medal from Winemaker Magazine with a wine made from their Wyoming-grown grapes.

Casper Couple Proves You Can Make Award-Winning Wine In Wyoming

Growing up on a fifth-generation ranch made Christopher Volzke confident, despite what everyone told him, that he could get grapes to grow in Wyoming. Not only was he right, but he and his wife, Angie, won a silver medal for their wine from Winemaker Magazine.

Renée JeanAugust 08, 2026

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