Wyoming

Gov. Gordon champions Wyoming tourism at gala

Published

1 year ago

January 31, 2025

Gov. Gordon champions Wyoming tourism at gala

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Gov. Mark Gordon emphasized the vital role of tourism in Wyoming’s economy during his keynote address at the Governor’s Hospitality & Tourism Conference “Salute to the Industry Gala” on Jan. 28 in Cheyenne.

“Tourism is a vital component of the Cowboy State economy,” Gordon said. “Our tourism industry showcases to the world what Wyoming has to offer, and the economic impacts are felt in Wyoming communities and on our main streets.”

Preliminary figures suggest travel-related spending in Wyoming reached $4.9 billion in 2024. The Leisure and Hospitality sector stands as the state’s largest private-sector employer, supporting over 33,000 jobs. As the second-largest revenue generator in Wyoming, the visitor economy is a crucial contributor to the state’s overall financial health.

Gov. Mark Gordon delivered the keynote address at the Governor’s Hospitality & Tourism Conference “Salute to the Industry Gala” on Jan. 28 in Cheyenne. (Gov. Mark Gordon Facebook photo)

Addressing the ongoing challenge of workforce shortages, Gordon acknowledged the difficulties faced by business owners. He pointed to initiatives like the Wyoming Innovation Partnership, which provides seed funding for the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality Institute at the University of Wyoming, as key strategies for workforce development.

The outdoor recreation industry’s substantial contribution of $2.2 billion, or 4.1%, to Wyoming’s GDP in 2023 underscores its importance. The sector has also experienced notable growth, with a 4.5% annual increase since 2012.

“The steps we take to keep Wyoming a destination state have and will continue to pay us back,” Gordon said. “We cannot afford to neglect or vandalize this fundamental and historic leg of our economic security.”

During the gala, Gordon presented the BIG WYO Award to Diane Shober, executive director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism since 2003. The annual award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to promoting hospitality and tourism in Wyoming.

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Wyoming

Casper approves Wyoming Boulevard property rezoning

Published

8 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Press Room

Casper approves Wyoming Boulevard property rezoning

CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper City Council voted Tuesday to approve on first reading a zoning change for a vacant 2.4-acre parcel located at 1530 SE Wyoming Boulevard, transitioning the property from residential to commercial use.

The ordinance reclassifies Lot 4 of the Methodist Church Addition from Residential Estate to General Business. Located between East 15th and East 18th streets, the irregular-shaped property has remained undeveloped since it was first platted in 1984.

While original plans for the subdivision envisioned a church and an associated preschool, Community Development Director Liz Becher reported those projects never materialized.

According to Becher, the applicant sought the rezoning to facilitate the potential installation of a cell tower or an off-premises sign. Under the new C-2 designation, a cell tower up to 130 feet in height is considered a permitted use by right, though any off-premises sign would still require a conditional use permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The applicant also owns the adjacent lot to the north, which the city rezoned to general business in 2021.

Becher said the change aligns with the “Employment Mixed Use” classification in the Generation Casper comprehensive land use plan. This designation typically supports civic, institutional and employment spaces.

Despite the new zoning, the property remains subject to a subdivision agreement that limits traffic access. Entry and exit are restricted to right turns onto or from East 15th Street, and no access is permitted from East 18th Street.

The council will vote on two more readings of the ordinance before it is officially ratified.

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Wyoming

Two men detained in Wyoming in connection with deadly shooting at downtown Salt Lake hotel

Published

20 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Press Room

Two men detained in Wyoming in connection with deadly shooting at downtown Salt Lake hotel

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Two men were detained in Wyoming in connection with a fatal shooting at a downtown Salt Lake hotel that killed one man.

Carlos Chee, 23, and Chino Aguilar, 21, were both wanted for first-degree felony murder after the victim, identified as Christian Lee, 32, was found dead in a room at the Springhill Suites near 600 South and 300 West.

According to warrants issued for their arrest, Chee and Aguilar met with Lee and another woman at the hotel to sell marijuana. During the alleged drug deal, Aguilar allegedly shot and killed Lee after he tried to grab at his gun.

MORE | Shootings

Investigators said they found Lee dead in the room upon arrival, as well as a single shell casing on the floor and a small amount of marijuana on the television stand.

The woman told investigators she had met Chee on a dating app and that he agreed to come to the hotel to sell her marijuana. She had been hanging out with him in the room, which Lee rented for her to use, when Lee asked them to leave. Lee was then shot and killed following a brief confrontation.

Chee and Aguilar allegedly fled the scene in a 2013 Toyota Camry with a Texas license plate that was later found outside of Rock Springs, Wyoming just a few hours later.

The two men were taken into custody and detained at the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office.

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Wyoming

Man shot, critically injured by deputy during ‘disturbance’ in Rock Springs, Wyoming

Published

1 day ago

April 20, 2026

Press Room

Man shot, critically injured by deputy during ‘disturbance’ in Rock Springs, Wyoming

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyoming (KUTV) — A man was hospitalized with critical injuries after he was reportedly shot by a deputy responding to reports of a disturbance.

Deputies with the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Rock Springs Police Department responded to the Sweetwater Heights apartment complex in the 2100 block of Century Boulevard just after 4 a.m. on Monday to investigate reports of a disturbance involving an armed individual.

Information that dispatch received indicated that the individual had shot himself. When officials arrived, they found the individual on the balcony of an upstairs apartment “who appeared to have a gunshot wound consistent with the initial report,” a press release states.