Wyoming
Last clinic providing abortions in Wyoming faces uncertainty as Gov. Gordon ponders new restrictions
Around two weeks ago, the clinic administrator at Wellspring Health Access, Brittany Brown, got a text message from a number she didn’t recognize.
She was in bed, at home.
“This one gentleman chose to text me and let me know that if he were to ever catch any of our doctors, he would physically assault them,” said Brown.
For Brown and the rest of the staff, the threat was another in a long list of threats and setbacks Wellspring has experienced since it opened.
Wellspring Health Access in Casper has faced arson, a local backlash and near-constant protests.
“When I got hired here, I knew,” Brown said. “I know violence is a possibility, I know legally shutting us down is a possibility. I know that there’s a good chance that I may not have this job (much longer).”
That uncertainty continues with the passage of House Bill 148, which made it through the Wyoming Legislature this month. It would require the clinic to become a licensed ambulatory surgical center.
Supporters of the bill have said it’s meant to keep women safe when receiving procedural abortions in the state.
Critics believe it’s an attempt to keep abortion inaccessible in Wyoming if a pending legal challenge to a near-total abortion ban ends up succeeding.
They’ve said the bill is intended to force the closure of just one business: Wellspring.
That business looks like any other health clinic.
“This is (the) lobby, obviously, where patients and their support people wait and hang out for us, (we) try to make it as comfortable and cozy as possible,” Brown said, walking through the clinic.
Chris Clements
/
Wyoming Public Media
Outside, great gray storm clouds rippled across the horizon. A gang of wild turkeys ambled down the sidewalk.
“We want people to kind of just relax a little bit once they get here because, of course, getting here can be quite the ordeal,” Brown said.
Next, Brown walked down a hallway leading to the exam rooms. Paintings of flowers hung on many of the walls. A framed sign reads, “Keep your laws off my body.”
“This is our recovery room,” Brown said. “After procedures, our patients come in here. The chairs recline, we give them a cozy blanket, a heating pad, snacks and drinks.”
Wellspring provides a range of women’s health services, including pelvic exams, cancer screenings and procedural abortions for patients in Wyoming and in states nearby that have passed abortion bans, like South Dakota, North Dakota and Idaho.
Brown said roughly half the patients the clinic sees are traveling from across the state and the country.
“Anybody who’s familiar with Wyoming knows that for a lot of specialty care, you better be planning on getting in a car and driving for several hours,” she said.
The farthest distance a patient has traveled to receive care at Wellspring? Louisiana.
Once they show up at the clinic, protestors from crisis pregnancy centers in the area are often already waiting for patients at the edge of the property.
Debra Cheatham is a volunteer at Wellspring and a Casper resident.
Every week, she and other volunteers escort patients from their cars to the door, often as protestors are loudly praying, or shouting things like: “‘You don’t have to do this, your mother didn’t choose this. Shame on you for doing this.’”
Chris Clements
/
Wyoming Public Media
Holly Thompson is another volunteer.
“They will shout out, ‘Well, don’t do that, don’t go in there, because you’re going to commit suicide later in life,’” said Thompson.
It’s personal for Thompson. She had an abortion when she was 21, years before Roe v. Wade went into effect and became the law of the land.
“The reason I had it was because I was a first-year teacher, a brand new teacher in Rock Springs, Wyoming,” Thompson said. “And women could be fired for being pregnant and not married before Roe v. Wade. And so that’s why I had, when I promised myself back then that if there’s anything I could do to help women in the future, I would do that.”
The other volunteer, Debra Cheatham, said her father practiced as an OB-GYN in Casper for years, and that his conviction about women’s health inspired her to volunteer.
Cheatham said he went down that path after a woman who was sick with sepsis sought help from him.
After she died, Cheatham’s father asked her husband – now a widower – how she got sick.
“And he said, ‘Well, she went to Mexico for an abortion,’” she said. “And my dad asked him, ‘Why?’ And the guy broke into tears and said, ‘We already have six kids. We couldn’t afford another one.’”
Most abortions performed at clinics like Wellspring aren’t generally considered complex enough to be surgeries.
But House Bill 148 requires clinics that provide procedural abortions in Wyoming to be licensed and equipped to do surgeries anyway.
Rep. Martha Lawley (R-Worland) is the sponsor of HB 148.
“We have a duty to regulate abortion for the health and safety of women in Wyoming who would choose an abortion,” she said.
Lawley’s view is that as long as procedural abortions remain legal in Wyoming, bills like hers are necessary to ensure patient safety.
“In the event of a botched abortion, it’s important that there be a kind of continuity of care between the doctor who performed that abortion and the facility where that woman would be taken to for further care,” she said.
But Wellspring’s founder, Julie Burkhart, said abortion is one of the safest medical procedures with a complication rate of less than 2 percent. She disagrees with the notion that women need the new regulation.
“For Wellspring, we just did our statistics for 2023. And we are right there, right on target,” said Burkhart.
If HB 148 were to pass into law, Burkhart said she’s concerned Wellspring might need to shut down some or all of its services, at least temporarily.
During that time, the clinic could make physical renovations to hallways and doors, and likely install a new H-VAC system to bring it up to code.
If Wellspring doesn’t meet the requirements, it could be fined as much as $1,000 for each violation as part of a misdemeanor offense.
Gov. Mark Gordon has until March 23 to veto HB 148, sign it, or let it become law without his signature.
A pristine trail town tucked into the breathtaking beauty of western Wyoming, Dubois puts the ‘wild’ in the Wild West. Just 55 miles from Yellowstone National Park and located in the Wind River, Owl Creek, and Absaroka mountain ranges, the town is a welcoming alpine community with stunning views from every street. From enjoying the fresh powder on the winter slopes to hiking, biking, or riding through the wildflower-covered peaks in the summer, Dubois is a year-round destination that offers adventure in every season. In addition to its serene location, Dubois is a vibrant town with lots on the menu from fine dining to lively western-style saloons.
The History of Dubois
The Wind River Valley remained sparsely populated until the late 1800s, when pioneering homesteaders established the first settlements, initiating a small yet lively community. While fur traders, explorers, and some Native American tribes were familiar with the area, it was the arrival of homesteaders that helped shape its identity. This led to the emergence of a town, supported by the expansion of cattle and sheep ranching.
Dubois was officially incorporated in 1914 and grew over the years, benefiting from its logging, farming, and tourism sectors. Today, with a population of 778 as of the 2022 census, Dubois remains true to its Western heritage, offering visitors an authentic cowboy experience.
Things to Do in Dubois
Get that cowboy experience at one of the oldest guest ranches in the country, the CM Ranch which opened in 1927. It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced rider, or never been on a horse, the experienced staff at this busy dude ranch will show you the ropes. Guests can choose their own adventure, from riding trails through desert badlands and mountain highlands to fly fishing in the backcountry.
Dubois is located in mountain country, possibly the only place where you can observe three distinct types of mountains: those formed by glaciers, volcano-created peaks, and ranges caused by shifting underground plates. It is a haven and playground for nature lovers. If you prefer walking over riding, numerous local guides are available to help you explore the trails and enjoy the best vistas. For those who prefer to go alone, the Bonneville Pass Trail offers a scenic climb through valley meadows, while the Five Pockets Trail provides spectacular views of Horse Creek with the Absaroka Mountains as a backdrop.
Look out for ancient carvings while you are exploring; Wyoming is home to stunning examples of rock art. In the Wind River Range, you will find the Torrey Lake Petroglyph District, which includes around 175 well-preserved petroglyphs. For more information on where to see the best pictograms or find accessible trails, speak to the staff at the Dubois Museum. This specialty museum traces the geology of the area, its early inhabitants, and its history of homesteading. They also offer custom guided tours of petroglyphs, native sheep trap and buffalo drive sites, and more.
Dubois is a favorite spot for anglers, featuring pristine lakes, streams, and rivers teeming with fish like rainbow trout, brook trout, and cutthroat trout. Try casting your line at Torrey Creek. The waters aren’t just for fishing; you can also enjoy kayaking or canoeing, or relax with a float trip guided by Wind River Float Trips.
In winter, the country is even more beautiful, and there are still lots of ways to enjoy it. Go ice-fishing, take a dog-sled ride through the snowy wonderland, or try cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Downtown Dubois
Many Wild West legends have strolled through Dubois, including the infamous outlaw Butch Cassidy. While things may have changed over time, the town still radiates quirky character and Western charm. After a day outdoors, grab a bite at the Rustic Pine Tavern, open since 1919, or visit the Outlaw Bar and Saloon. Once called the Branding Iron Inn, the Outlaw Bar has remained a beloved Dubois gathering spot for generations.
In the summer months, the town hosts the Dubois Friday Night Rodeo, which runs through June, July, and August. The family-friendly event features Mutton Bustin, Calf Riding, Mini Bull Riding, Pee Wee Barrel Racing, and more.
What Makes Dubois Different
Dubois remains a timeless town nestled amid Wyoming’s towering mountain ranges. This cowboy haven has preserved its natural beauty and charm for centuries, attracting explorers, pioneers, hunters, and adventurers. Visitors can saddle up at a dude ranch, scale mountain peaks, fish or float on glacial rivers, and unwind at the local rodeo—offering an ideal setting for unforgettable experiences and a break from everyday life.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Western Wyoming Community College placed second at the NJCAA Wrestling Championships on Saturday, finishing with 188 team points and producing nine All-Americans, including four national runners-up. Their 188 points are the second-most all-time.
Indian Hills repeated as national champion with 201.5 points, the most points of all time, while Iowa Central finished third with 145.5. Western improved on last year’s third-place finish while sending four wrestlers to the championship round, the most runner-up finishes at the tournament, though the Mustangs were unable to secure an individual national title.
Zach Marrero reached the championship match at 133 pounds after earning a 4-2 decision in the semifinals. In the final, Marrero faced Indian Hills’ Olli Webb. The two were tied 1-1 after three periods before Webb secured a sudden-victory takedown to win 4-1.
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At 165 pounds, Banks Norby advanced to the finals with an 8-7 semifinal decision over Tom Stoll of Northeastern Junior College. Norby then faced Henry Dillingham of Clackamas in the championship match. Dillingham scored seven points in the third period to pull away, and Norby was unable to record a takedown as he finished second.
Banks Love also reached the championship bout at 184 pounds. Love snuck past Asadbek Fayzullaev of Northwest 10-9 in the semifinals. In the final, he fell to Jarrel Miller of Iowa Central 16-9. Love scored seven points in the final period, but Miller also scored nine in the period to secure the win.
At 197 pounds, Trevyn Gates reached the finals after pinning Samuel Montoya of Southeast Nebraska in the semifinals. Gates’ run ended in the championship match when he was pinned in 2:03, giving him a runner-up finish.
Western also had two wrestlers earn third-place finishes.
At 125 pounds, Stockton Allen dropped his semifinal match by technical fall but responded in the consolation bracket. Allen secured third place with a fall in 1:27 over Truth Vesey of Harper.
Green River’s Tommy Dalton also placed third at 149 pounds. Dalton lost in the semifinals by fall in 4:22 but rebounded with a 17-6 major decision to reach the third-place match. He then defeated Ayson Rice of Southeast Nebraska 9-3 to earn the bronze.
Francisco Ayala finished fifth at 174 pounds. After dropping into the consolation bracket, Ayala won two of his three matches to reach the fifth-place bout, where he defeated Iowa Western’s Matteo Nikolov 4-2. Trailing 1-0 entering the final period, Ayala secured a takedown with 12 seconds remaining to claim the win.
Dmitri Alarcon placed sixth at 141 pounds. Alarcon lost in the semifinals by fall before dropping a 20-9 decision in the consolation bracket. In the fifth-place match, he led 5-2 after the opening period but gave up a four-point nearfall in the second and fell 6-5.
At 157 pounds, Hixon Canto finished seventh. After advancing through the consolation bracket Friday, Canto lost a 6-4 decision Saturday before taking seventh place by medical forfeit.
Heavyweight Kort Wilkinson saw his tournament end a day earlier. Wilkinson was one point away from the quarterfinals before falling to Cito Tuttle of Rochester 3-2 in double overtime. He won two matches in the consolation bracket before losing a 5-0 decision to Naasir Edmonds, ending his season on the opening day of the tournament.
Western Wyoming’s second-place finish marks an improvement from its third-place result at the 2025 NJCAA Wrestling Championships and caps a season that also included the program’s ninth straight Region 9/Plains District title.
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