Wyoming
A special view of Wyoming law – Torrington Telegram
Rhett Breedlove
TORRINGTON – The Goshen District Court met in “session” at 8:30 a.m. early Tuesday morning.
This would be a special session, however. One meant to educate, inform, and perhaps set tomorrow’s generation up for success rather than for dark complicated adversities.
The morning was not to address a defendant who found themselves on the wrong side of Wyoming law, but to give a healthy and truthful view to all county eighth graders on what the law really looks like.
With not an empty seat in the district courtroom, Goshen County and Prosecuting Attorney, Eric Boyer, addressed the children with close and accurate sincerity of how a seasoned attorney would in fact address a jury.
“We are very excited to show you today just how the law, and democracy really work,” Boyer said to the children.
Over 100 eighth graders sat before the prosecuting attorney as well as district judge, Ed Buchanan, along with a long list of county officials and law enforcement personnel.
The day marked the annual and traditional day off from school for all eighth graders to participate in YOLO Day.
You only live once would be the powerful and constant message for every child sitting in the public area of the courtroom early Tuesday morning.
As they entered and filled the large room; some excited, some curious, and of course others just happy to be out of school for a while, a very imperative and nourishing approach would be taken to help this group of youngsters.
They knew they would be witnessing a trial simulation, but the question still remained, “What does a real trial truly look like?”
As the kids would soon see, a mock trial from an authentic staff of real judges, lawyers, and law enforcement does not differentiate much from the real thing.
As judge Buchanan entered the courtroom, it seemed as if it was business as usual. As all were required to rise as Buchanan made his entrance, the sound of chit-chat and giggling slowly died while the district judge took his chair, customary shining black robe clean and ready to educate a younger generation.
Despite the procedure being merely a show for all the children present, the atmosphere felt entirely much like the real thing. The kids were able to see first-hand exactly what the final stage of a legal case or felony realistically is, in this case the sentencing.
As with a real sentencing, facts were once again read regarding the case, and both sides were given a final chance to be heard including the defendant.
With both defense and prosecution counsels “recommending probation” on behalf of the “defendant charged with aggravated assault,” Judge Buchanan explained in depth the reasoning behind a looming sentence. According to Wyoming statute on this particular charge, the penalty factually carries a maximum of up to ten years of incarceration.
While both defense and prosecution “agreed” probation would be appropriate for the “defendant with a history of drug and alcohol-related infractions,” Judge Buchanan did not.
“On behalf of the state of Wyoming, I hereby sentence you to serve no less than four years no less than six, at a state correctional institution,” Buchanan said. “Court will stand in recess.”
Soon thereafter county investigator, Sergeant Herbie Irons, placed the “defendant” in handcuffs, and escorted her promptly out of the courtroom.
The entire mock hearing lasted roughly in the realm of at least half an hour. In those thirty minutes, however, the complete silence of the room hinted perceptions were altered and thoughts were running with questions.
As Judicial Assistant, Melissa Stevens, kindly introduced every present official by full name and position, numerous hands slowly but surely began to fill the air with questions.
As Stevens reminded the children once more, “You only live once.”
If something could be taken away from those words and as every attorney, police officer, or social worker in the room would explain; life is much too short to complicate it with poor decisions.
In total ambiguity of certain “scared straight” programs, perhaps which have unethically made their way onto national television in recent years, the purpose of the day was guidance, education, and peaceful yet persistent dissuasion.
Not fear.
The message to the dozens and dozens of middle schoolers sitting in the county’s only courthouse was soft but clear.
Courts do not exist to instill fear. They are there to uphold the law. As Judge Buchanan further explained, “The laws are there to keep everyone safe.”
Furthermore, the district judge additionally alluded without law we, as a society, would not have peace, we would not have happiness, and we certainly would not be civilized. In simple terms, Wyoming statute acts as a convincing deterrent for those who would proceed to intrude on the peace and tranquility of the innocent and vulnerable.
As every official in the room is entirely familiar, perhaps teaching a child fear and anger will only reinforce decisions ultimately resulting in sitting in the defendant’s chair later on in life.
“Hopefully students leave with more understanding of how the criminal justice system works in our democracy, and how democracy wouldn’t work without a justice system.” Donna Duncan of Goshen County Victim’s Assistance said.
If there is one thing every resident in Goshen County might be able to agree on from YOLO Day; if more age-appropriate children could witness what a courtroom truly feels like in the presence of real officials, perhaps we would witness far more of them choosing trades, careers and colleges over substances, charges, and incarcerations.
Since moving to Wyoming many years ago, and having lived in a few towns around the state, I find that some town and city rivalries must be addressed. Some are based on past conflicts that still cause pain to this day. Some are unexplained.
For example, to this day, all of Johnson County still does not trust Cheyenne after the Johnson County War of 1892. Cattlemen in Cheyenne sent a hit squad hired by the barons to invade Johnson County to eliminate alleged rustlers. A shootout that lasted several days ensued.
Other town rivalries include:
Green River vs. Rock Springs: The two towns are close together and share one of the most intense and oldest community, cultural, and athletic rivalries in the state.
Lander vs. Riverton: Located in Fremont County, this rivalry dates back to 1922 and divides the area over high school football bragging rights. They talk a lot of smack about each other.
Cheyenne vs Casper: The towns just HATE each other. I’ve lived in both, and I can tell you that there is nothing wrong with either town. But I’ve come across people in both towns who talk about their hatred of the other.
There is not a lot of love across Wyoming for Jackson, mostly because of the mega-rich liberals who live there. Many of those mega-rich liberals look down on the rest of Wyoming.
Folks talk smack about Laramie, but in a very different way than people talk smack about Gillette.
Having traveled around Wyoming, I can tell you that most of this hate is just nonsense and a waste of time. In the end, we are all Wyomingites. Just one big bickering family who still have each other’s backs when it comes down to it.
The Charmingly Odd Town Of La Grange Wyoming
It is well worth the long drive to see one of the most interesting and quirky little towns in Wyoming.
Stay for lunch. You won’t regret it.
Gallery Credit: Glenn Woods
Jay Em, Wyoming, Frozen In Time
Jay Em, what an unusual name for a town.The few people who live there are proud of what their spot on earth once was, and they work to preserve it. They keep this little community frozen in time.
Gallery Credit: Glenn Woods
Wyoming
Hoping to draw Colorado interest, construction begins at $80M betting facility in Laramie County
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Foundation work is beginning this week on Wyoming’s next horse betting and gaming house.
The $80 million Wyoming Downs facility in Laramie County, one of two the company is investing in over the next couple of years, is poised to be one of the largest facilities of its kind in the state. The company is aiming for a spring 2027 opening.
The facility will host upwards of 600 historic horse racing machines, Wyoming’s largest TV wall, multiple dining options and more across 58,000 square feet. More land was bought for future hotel development. Commuters driving between Cheyenne and the Colorado border can see clearly from Interstate 25 the expansive development.
That placement along the travel corridor is purposeful, Wyoming Downs and 307 Horse Racing President Kyle Ridgeway said.
“I think that the targeted consumer for this is from Colorado or from the Front Range,” Ridgeway said. “I anticipate we’re going to have plenty of people from Cheyenne come down here to play and enjoy the amenities, but when you look at 600,000 people within a 30-minute drive, that’s what justifies this investment and brings all that tax revenue in from another state, which is fantastic.
“We don’t get the opportunity to do that in Wyoming very often.”
There is still plenty to offer Cheyenne residents besides the facility’s amenities. Ridgeway said in a speech to attendees at the project’s groundbreaking Tuesday, June 2, that more than 150 permanent jobs will be supported by the facility on top of the dozens supported by the companies’ corporate offices and the 400-plus involved in the project’s construction.
Groathouse Construction, a Wyoming business, is the project’s general contractor. Wyoming Downs said it believes putting the project in local hands also helps keep the project uniquely Wyoming-focused.
Ridgeway added the facilities have already proven themselves to be effective tax revenue generators for the local governments. The Wyoming Gaming Commission’s 2025 report, released in late May, shows bettors wagered $2.49 billion on historic horse racing machines last year, a jump from the $2.11 billion wagered in 2024.
Wyoming Downs facilities generate roughly $25 million in taxes annually across the state, and Ridgeway estimated after the ceremony that the upcoming $80 million facility alone will generate an additional $3 million for Laramie County once the property has been in operation for a few years.
Horse betting sites have been increasingly popping up across Wyoming this decade. The Wyoming Downs location will be Cheyenne’s second large-scale horse betting facility since 2024, when the 30,000-square-foot Horse Palace at Swan Ranch opened. Ridgeway said Wyoming Downs is still offering something fresh for tourists and residents.
“This’ll have amenities that Swan Ranch doesn’t have, including the largest TV wall in Wyoming and a pretty super-cool sports viewing area with a restaurant and just a level of finish and class that I don’t think Wyoming has quite seen yet with these types of properties,” he said.
Ridgeway said he thinks resident fatigue with these facilities isn’t as strong as it appears, especially given the tourism benefits of off-track betting.
“Wyoming’s been built on mineral extraction and tourism, and what this is is a touristic facility. I’m not aware of any particular pushback about this specific facility outside of — you see random social media comments where people say, ‘Oh, another gambling facility.’ But where this is located, I think people in Cheyenne have generally been supportive of,” he said.
The Laramie County facility will be just one part of a larger project Wyoming Downs is working on over the next few years. Construction will begin in early 2027 on a similar facility in Evanston looking to draw in Utah and western Colorado crowds.
Some of the company’s current facilities, notably in Casper, Cheyenne and Rock Springs, will see millions poured into renovations as well. New smaller-scale parlors will also go up in Gillette and Green River this year, according to an information packet provided by the company.
More details will come as the construction process develops, Ridgeway said. Details about amenities, such as what the complex’s dining options will look like, remain undisclosed, though Ridgeway promised that options will be “excellent.”
“We haven’t made final selections on what the options are, but we have a number of different options on the table that we’re considering for what we want to offer for the customers,” Ridgeway said. “You have to have something that’s high quality for where this is located. If somebody’s going to drive 25 or 35, or even 45 minutes to come here, they got to be able to sit down and have a quality meal.”
For more information as it becomes available and to learn more about Wyoming Downs facilities and 307 Horse Racing‘s events and offerings, see the companies’ websites. Renderings for the upcoming Cheyenne facility commissioned by the company are available for viewing below.
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