Wyoming
Jackson’s Jim Waldrop — AKA ‘Mr. Hospitality’ — Wins Wyoming's Highest Tourism Award
In the early 1970s, a young Boy Scout named Jim Waldrop had a little armchair adventure that was going to change his life.
He didn’t know it at the time, but the article he was reading in his parents’ National Geographic about the Grand Tetons was going to inspire a life-changing road trip one day to Jackson Hole, and a storied career that just landed him the 2024 BIG WYO Award.
“For my high school graduation, my brother let me use his brand-new car, and we drove out and backpacked through the Tetons and Yellowstone,” Waldrop recalled. “And I fell in love.”
That love eventually inspired Waldrop to move to Jackson, taking a job with the chamber of commerce as what he described as a “brochure boy.”
Eventually, Waldrop worked his way up to what he today describes as the job of his dreams. Waldrop is president and general manager of Silver Dollar Inc., which includes oversight of the famous Wort Hotel and the equally legendary Silver Dollar Bar, as well as about eight retail shops and a couple of office buildings.
He’s known to many across the Cowboy State as “Mr. Hospitality.”
He was completely taken by surprise to learn Tuesday that he is the latest recipient of the BIG WYO Award, which annually recognizes a private sector person who has made significant lifetime contributions to Wyoming’s tourism and hospitality industries.
The recipient is chosen each year by members of the Wyoming Hospitality and Travel Coalition’s Executive Committee, as well as past BIG WYO winners.
‘Unbelievable Impact’
Gov. Mark Gordon, started off the 2024 introduction to the BIG WYO Award by talking about how Waldrop makes people feel when they visit the famous Wort Hotel in Jackson, which he said is among places in Wyoming where people immediately feel that they have “come back to Wyoming.”
“You feel it from the woodwork,” Gordon said. “Most especially, you can feel it from the staff. It is an incredible place with Western hospitality, Western history galore.”
Other colleagues of Waldrop chimed in on a video prepared for the occasion. They talked about how Waldrop has supported the hospitality industry and welcomed people to Jackson Hole for 20 years.
“He’s had an unbelievable impact on our community through numerous boards,” Jerry Blann, who was formerly president and CEO of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, said on the video. “He’s always made great contributions. He’s led. At the same time, he gives credit where credit is due to his employees as well.”
Alex Klein, VP and general manager of Grand Teton Lodge, highlighted Waldrop’s willingness to help.
“Whenever somebody needs to step up to the plate and make it happen, I’ve seen him do it,” Klein said. “Whether it’s supporting the education of the students here in Wyoming, taking on a leadership role, creating a degree program at the University, or helping to pass the lodging tax.”
Meanwhile, his wife Charlotte Waldrop, said her husband was not just Mr. Hospitality on a 9 to 5 basis.
“I don’t know anyone whose career aligns with their personality better than Jim’s,” she said, recalling, with a sense of humor, the number of times her husband would call with last-minute guests.
“I’ll point out that we don’t have anything special to make for dinner, and he’ll say, ‘That doesn’t matter, it’s about the people. It’s not about the food, it’s not about cleaning the house. It’s about being with people and being hospitable and welcoming,’” she said.
Those are lessons his daughter, Lucy, said she has picked up on as well.
“It’s really important to make, like, connections that aren’t superficial,” she said. “And he instills that in me.”
Humble And Inspired
Waldrop was visibly shaken by the award and hugged his family before making his way to the podium to accept it.
“I am indeed humble,” he said after getting to the podium, shaking his head. “I am indeed humble — and also surprised.”
But, he added, after thinking a moment, the award is not really his alone.
“It’s because of all of you,” he said. “You have inspired me. You have enabled me to grow as a person, and as a leader, as a brand, and as a family, you’ve transformed my life. Each and every one of you have had a big part in that.”
Waldrop added that people around him are continuing to inspire him every day, and that makes his steps feel lighter as he continues his lifework.
“Hospitality is in my blood,” he said. “But it’s also friends, and all of these things that continue to inspire me, and I’m so humbled, so appreciative of each and every one of you.”
One Season Becomes A Lifetime
Waldrop told Cowboy State Daily after the presentation that he’d come to Jackson in 1992 for what he thought would be a single season. He was looking to reboot, get restarted. And he not only found the restart he needed, he found the life he wanted.
“The mountains, and all of those things were so inspirational for every reason that’s remained today,” he said. “But more importantly, it was all about the people of Wyoming. It’s all about the people of Wyoming. That’s what inspires me, it’s what drives me every day.”
Waldrop stressed that it’s the support of those around him that’s enabled him to do so much for so many.
“Lots of great support from my family and my friends, and I would be remiss not to mention, probably, my largest mentor, my boss, Bill Baxter,” he said. “He’s truly been inspiring to me on so many levels as a human and as a person. I’m just very blessed.”
Waldrop added that he and Baxter both see themselves as stewards of the Wort Hotel and the Million Dollar Bar.
Waldrop counts that stewardship, and bringing both destinations to world-class status, as among his best accomplishments.
He said he does plan to retire one day, but for now will “keep on keeping on,” ensuring that both places remain the high-quality tourist destinations they are today.
“I’m proud of the staff I’ve been able to amass, and the support that I’m able to garner from that staff,” he said. “It’s really, really been a game changer for me, and I’m really, really proud of those folks. These relationships we’ve been able to build statewide are really, really important, and I’m proud of that, too.”
Renée Jean can be reached at Renee@CowboyStateDaily.com.
Wyoming
6 Colorado, Wyoming hot springs worth the drive this winter
Things to do in Fort Collins during winter break
Need to entertain your brood during the winter break from school? Here are 5 things to do in Fort Collins.
Weary of winter already?
Kick back in one of the many natural hot tubs our area has to offer.
Colorado and Wyoming are sprinkled with natural hot springs, with various resorts each offering something different — think untouched natural scenery, tropical plant-laden atriums and cold riverside plunge pools.
Virtually dip your toes in with this list and see if any stick out to you for a future winter getaway.
Hot springs to visit in Colorado, Wyoming
Strawberry Park Hot Springs
Where: 44200 County Road 36, Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Need to relax? Head to Strawberry Park Hot Springs where you’ll find thermal mineral water pools surrounded by Steamboat Springs’ natural beauty.
The pools are open to both its day visitors — admission costs $20 per person for a two-hour reservation — and overnight lodgers. It also offers up massage options and aqua therapy in private pools.
Located about 165 miles from Fort Collins, Strawberry Park Hot Springs is a roughly 3.5-hour drive away. From Nov. 1 through May 1, four-wheel drive with snow tires or chains are required to get to the hot springs. To avoid tough road conditions, Strawberry Park encourages contacting its shuttle partners to schedule drop off and pick up.
Pets, outside food, glass, alcohol and smoking are prohibited.
Minors are not permitted after dark, and clothing is optional after dark.
Hot Sulphur Springs
Where: 5609 Spring Road, Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado
Soak your worries away at Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa. The resort — once used as a winter campground for Native Americans — is now home to 20 manmade pools supplied by a handful of natural hot springs that flow through the resort and into the Colorado River, according to its website. Located about 130 miles away, the springs are a roughly 3-hour drive from Fort Collins.
Its pools — which run from 98 to 112 degrees — are open yearround and welcome walk-ins. Adult day passes cost $30, senior day passes cost $23 and children’s passes (ages 4-11) cost $16. Towels and robes are also available for rent.
Pets (except trained service animals), outside food, glass containers, alcohol, smoking and vaping are prohibited.
Indian Hot Springs
Where: 302 Soda Creek Road, Idaho Springs, Colorado
Located the closest to Fort Collins on this list, Indian Hot Springs is a quick two-hour jaunt down Interstates 25 and 70. Once there, you’ll find a large indoor mineral water swimming pool and tropical plant-strewn atrium as well as private baths, outdoor tubs and geothermal caves.
Regular admission to the indoor swimming pool costs $30 per person Monday through Thursday and $35 per person Friday through Sunday. Caves are open to visitors 18 years old and older and can be accessed for $35 per person Monday through Thursday and $40 per person Friday through Sunday. Prices are different when “summit pricing” is in effect. Check the calendar on the Indian Hot Springs website for those dates.
Private baths and outdoor tubs can be reserved for varying rates. For more information, or to make a reservation, visit the Indian Hot Springs website.
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort
Where: 415 E. 6th St., Glenwood Springs, Colorado
At more than 200 miles away, Glenwood Springs is a bit of a hike — but that hike comes with beautiful scenery and, of course, hot springs. Try its Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, a fixture since 1888 that offers up a collection of hot springs pools, including its historic Grand Pool, an athletic club and other amenities.
Day passes range from $38 to $55 for adults and teenagers and $27 to $34 for children, with pricing varying based on off-peak and peak times. Reservations are not required. For more information, visit the resort website.
The Springs Resort
Where: 323 Hot Springs Blvd., Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Located more than 300 miles away in Pagosa Springs, The Springs Resort is a worthy weekend trip contender instead of a day drive. But despite its distance, it has plenty to offer — more than 50 hot springs pools, cold river plunges, a waterfall, steam grotto and more.
You can either stay at its resort or reserve a day pass to visit its pools, with general admission passes costing $69 for adults and $37 for children ages 3-12. For more information, or to make a reservation, visit the resort website.
Hot Springs State Park
Where: 51 US Highway 20 North, Thermopolis, Wyoming
Colorado can’t have all the fun. While located quite a ways away — 350 miles from Fort Collins — Wyoming has some impressive natural hot springs of its own in Thermopolis’ Hot Springs State Park. There are three soaking pools and a free and open-to-the-public Wyoming State Bath House. The bath house is open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12-5:30 p.m. Sundays in the winter. For more information, call 307-864-2176.
Want more Fort Collins development news? Subscribe to The Buzz, the Coloradoan’s weekly dive into local business, development, real estate and restaurant news.
Wyoming
Cowgirls play at Minnesota on Sunday
LARAMIE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Cowgirls will return to action Sunday with their final non-conference game of the season when they travel to face Big Ten foe Minnesota on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
Wyoming is coming off a 58-46 loss at Colorado on Dec. 7. Malene Pedersen and Henna Sandvik led the Cowgirls with 11 points each in the loss, while Kelly Walsh High School grad Logann Alvar also finished in double figures, with 10 points.
Madi Symons had a solid all-around game, grabbing a team-high five rebounds while also leading the way with four assists and blocking a pair of shots.
The Cowgirls recorded 12 assists on 18 made baskets against the Buffs and have assisted on better than 65% of their made field goals this season. Wyoming is averaging 14 assists per game in 2025-26, good for fourth in the Mountain West.
Defensively, UW has been solid all season long. The Cowgirls enter Sunday ranking third in the league in opponent scoring, surrendering 57 points per game. Wyoming also allows just 38.6-percent shooting from the field overall and 24.8-percent from 3-point range. Both marks rank third-best in the conference.
Although she missed her first free throw of the season in the loss, Pedersen is still shooting 94% at the line. She is also shooting just under 55% from 3-point range this season, a mark that ranks third in the country.
Entering the week, Pedersen was the only Division 1 player in out of 466 qualified athletes who was shooting 90% or better from the free throw line and better than 50% from 3-point range. On the season, Pedersen is second in the MW with 17.1 points per game and shooting 52.5-percent from the floor. Her 2.13 3-pointers made per game are sixth in the league.
Through eight games this season, Alvar and Sandvik average 8.3 and 8.0 points per game, respectively.
Payton Muma leads the team with 23 assists and 13 steals. Symons, meanwhile, leads Wyoming averaging 4.5 rebounds per game while Lana Beslic’s 4.4 boards per game and 19 assists are both second on the squad.
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Wyoming
Opinion | Gratitude and hope for Wyoming
This month, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, is a fitting time for reflection. Our focus turns toward family and community, and the changing weather causes us to slow down. It is a good time to take stock of the society around us. The Thanksgiving holiday naturally turns our minds to what we are grateful for — what already exists that we cherish. Christmas is a holiday of hope, focused on the promise of what is yet to come. With these holidays in mind, let us reflect on what parts of our state we are thankful for and hopeful about.
Perhaps the thing Wyomingites hold most dear is our heritage. Culturally, we are descended from pioneers and settlers — or from those who came before — and we take that frontier heritage to heart. We value independence, community and overcoming challenges. We are willing to endure hardship to build a life that we want, and we are closely attuned to the natural world and the benefits that it provides. Above all else, we know that our perch in this place is still precarious. These are perspectives that are hard to find elsewhere. They set us apart. By embracing these values, we create a society that fits our circumstances. These ideas would not fit in other places, but they fit here, and for that I am grateful.
I am also thankful for the good stewardship of our forefathers. Wyoming is a harsh place and it’s challenging to thrive here. Most of our land is arid and inhospitable, our physical conditions are difficult, and we are remote from most modern conveniences and luxuries. With poor planning or shortsighted leadership, this place could easily fall into decline.
Fortunately, we have been blessed with the opposite. The state’s early settlers understood the importance of building the infrastructure that would allow for growth. When it became clear that natural resources would power our economy, our leaders decided to set aside large portions of the state’s mineral revenue to support us in perpetuity. The easy decision — the short-sighted decision — would have been to spend those dollars on the needs of the day. They certainly could have built some nice things, and those projects would have been popular. They also would have been fleeting. Because of wise leadership and decisions that focused on the long-term, we all benefit from our state’s bounty.
Just as we are grateful for the good decisions of the past, we should be hopeful for the future. Despite our state’s challenges, there are many good reasons to have hope. First, our state is full of opportunity. We have space, natural resources, and the ability to be nimble when it comes to building regulatory structures that can support new industries. Our people are hard-working and determined. We have existing expertise in manufacturing and mining that is missing in many other parts of the country. Our climate and location give Wyoming an advantage in attracting computing facilities to locate here. If we take advantage of the opportunities in front of us, Wyoming is poised to thrive, and that gives me hope.
I am also hopeful because there appears to be a growing consensus on the issues we face, which allows us to better meet these challenges. In surveys and conversations about Wyoming’s future, the challenges of economic diversification and talent retention quickly rise to the top. We recognize where our weaknesses are, which is a significant part of the battle. Once we agree on the problem, we can work to find solutions.
Finding a fix is often an easier undertaking than identifying the problem itself. Already, drilling into these challenges has helped us recognize the underlying problems connected to affordable housing, livable spaces, health care access and education. Understanding how these fit together and how improvements in one area can lead to improvements in others puts us on a much more manageable path. It will still not be easy to overcome our hurdles, but the fact that we must wrestle with difficult problems is not unusual or unique. We have answered big questions before. Now that we have a growing consensus on what those problems are, I am far more hopeful about our ability to move forward.
In this holiday season, we should take the time to contemplate the world around us. Self-reflection is important. We should look both behind us and ahead of us, toward the past and gratitude and the future and hope. Our state gives us plenty to consider on both accounts.
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