CODY — When the Cody Theatre opened on the historic Western town’s main street, one of its main attractions was being the first air-conditioned building in Wyoming. It was a great selling point for 1937 movie-going audiences.
Nearly 90 years later, the theater’s cooling unit is the ultimate example of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
The same swamp cooler installed in the Cody Theatre during its construction is still cooling off theatergoers every day during the dog days of summer. It’s arguably working harder in 2024 than ever before, yet it’s keeping its cool.
“It was the very first air-conditioned building in the state of Wyoming,” said Ryan Fernandez, owner of the Cody Theatre. “When somebody told me that, I called BS. But then with a little bit of research, I discovered that it was true.”
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It’s just one of many historic features of the building that Ryan and Liz Fernandez are showcasing with bright lights.
The Historic Cody Theatre
Cody resident Jim Corder built the state-of-the-art Cody Theatre in 1936 for roughly $50,000, which would be more than $1.13 million today. The theater had its debut July 8, 1937, with a viewing of the Wallace Beery film “Slave Ship.”
The theatre is notable for its subtle art deco design, with colorful wall sconces and designs in the interior and a neon marquee on the exterior. There were originally 672 seats inside and a balcony overhead, although that’s long since been removed.
Keeping Up With The Industry
The Cody Theatre was the community’s one-screen movie theatre for decades and was upgraded with the latest technological advances in the theater business. Surround sound speakers were installed in 1955, an 18-by-35-foot “big screen” in the 1970s, digital sound in 1999 and digital projection in 2015.
Despite technological advances, the Cody Theatre’s design and structural integrity were preserved. That included the swamp cooler, which was built into the back of the building during construction.
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The Cody Theatre started its current life as a venue for the performing arts in 2008.
Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Review performed nightly in the space during the summer until 2015.
Ryan and Liz Fernandez are the fourth owners of the theatre. They bought the property in January 2019, saving it from possible destruction.
“We had heard that it was going to change hands and potentially turn into a little strip mall, which I think would have been pretty devastating for the community,” Ryan said. “For us, it was time to look at how we could retain the integrity of the space but have a different business model. That’s why we took ownership.”
Just As It Was
When they acquired the Cody Theatre, Ryan had to learn how to operate the antique swamp cooler.
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While some minor equipment improvements have been made since its installation, he said most of the original mechanical elements are still there and working just as well as they did in 1937.
“The original owners taught us how to work it,” he said. “There are a couple of new features when it comes to electricity, but you’ll see almost everything on the boards, and all the electrical is basically original. It’s a little scary and awesome at the same time.”
The unit consists of 70 large water sprayers across a 10-by-12-foot board attached to the same room where the primary unit evaporates the water and circulates throughout the building.
Since the same unit moves all the air through the vents of the Cody Theatre, it must be summerized and winterized every year. Fernandez has made the maintenance of the historic swamp cooler a personal project, but also calls in technical expertise for the aspects beyond his knowledge.
“I realized that I was out of my comfort zone to do it and to understand it,” he said. “We use DNG Electric in Cody, and they’re HVAC folks that do awesome maintenance. They know each summer and each winter, and a few calls in between, they’ll be here.”
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Keeping Its Cool
Despite its age, the Cody Theatre’s swamp cooler still performs remarkably well. The feedback they get from summer audiences is that it often works too well.
“People we’ve spoken to tell us (the theatre) gets too cold,” Ryan said. “The unit is pre-thermostat, so there’s no smartness to this at all. Either it’s cold or it’s off.”
“I personally have a love-hate relationship with the air conditioner,” Liz said. “I works so well, but I freeze in the theater every time it’s on. I know it’s important for most other people, so I’m happy that we have it for that reason.”
Figuring out the perfect balance is still a work in progress.
“If it gets too hot, we flick on water and air and then once it cools down, we typically drop the water so it’s still circulating some air,” Ryan said. “If we need to then turn water back on to keep people cool, we do. And if people say they’re cold, we eliminate the air.”
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That process used to involve lots of running up and down stairs since the controls are in the original projector room in the back of the theatre. That’s why everyone’s excited about this summer’s tech upgrade.
“One cool thing we’re getting ready to do is (install) two new switches upstairs that turn on air and water,” Ryan said. “We’re going to put those on smart switches so we can control it from our tech booth (on the theater floor) so we don’t have to run up and down each time. Big-time innovation.”
The nearly 90-year-old air conditioner on the back of the Cody Theater. (Andrew Rossi, Cowboy State Daily)
Water sprays over the blower of Wyoming’s oldest air conditioning unit at the Cody Theater. (Andrew Rossi, Cowboy State Daily)
Wyoming’s oldest air conditioning unit still works after nearly 90 years. (Andrew Rossi, Cowboy State Daily)
The facade of the Cody Theatre on Sheridan Avenue in Cody. The theater opened in 1937 with Wyoming’s first air conditioner unit, which is still operational today. (Andrew Rossi, Cowboy State Daily)
Expensive But Original
When they bought the Cody Theatre, Ryan and Liz Fernandez committed to keeping it as close to its original condition. It’s not the most fiscally-sound way of running their business, and nobody’s more aware of that — and fine with it — than them.
“We committed to bringing it back,” Ryan said. “That’s one thing Liz and I are notorious for. It can be really stupid and not very cost-effective, but it’s truly keeping the integrity of the space.”
The theater’s swamp cooler is part of that integrity. Ryan said they’re considering many upgrades and improvements for the facility, but the swamp cooler won’t be on the list until it has to be.
“We don’t have upgrade plans for it,” he said. “We realize that after 100 years of use, it might need to get upgraded. But I think as long as the AC unit continues to work, it’s a pretty cool thing to have.”
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Future Performance
When they bought the Cody Theatre, Ryan and Liz Fernandez knew they needed a new business model.
They’ve spent the last five years making significant upgrades to raise the caliber of the historic movie theatre as a performing arts venue.
Liz was ready to embrace the Cody Theatre’s full potential for live performance. She founded the Rocky Mountain Dance Theatre and Rocky Mountain School of the Arts in 1997, along with her mother, Cindi.
“I think it’s important to have a venue that is dedicated to the performing arts in Cody,” Liz said. “We have performing venues, but they are used for many different types of things. I think it’s important to have a venue that doesn’t have to compete with all the other things that need a performing space as well.”
Since 2016, the Cody Theatre has been the home of “The Wild West Spectacular,” an original musical created by Liz and Cindi. The summer production, featuring actors from across the United States, is in its ninth consecutive season with performances six nights a week from late June through mid-August.
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In Fall 2021, The Cody Theatre Co. debuted as an in-house theatre company staging at least two live theatre productions each year. The venue is also available for festivals and one-night-only engagements like the Yellowstone Songwriter Festival held each August.
“It has opened a lot of doors for us,” Liz said. “We can promote artistic work our students because we have a space that’s always available for them to use and to develop in a way that works for what we’re doing.”
(Cowboy State Daily Staff)
Back To The Past
Ryan said all future upgrades to the Cody Theatre will prioritize preserving the existing space. Even if it makes renovations more costly and maintenance more difficult, it’s all for the benefit of the space’s historical integrity.
“It’s really important to preserve what was and is the Cody Theatre,” he said. “We could take apart everything we’ve done since we bought it, and ultimately have the original theater in in its entirety.”
That includes the historic swamp cooler, which might be working harder and better than ever before, will be maintained as part of the facility’s future. It’s one of the coolest aspects of the personal and professional goal of retaining everything that makes the Cody Theatre unique.
“We’ve all had some really great moments in this theatre in our lives,” Ryan said. “A lot of us watched our first movies here. I saw ‘Rocky II’ and ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ in this theater. My first kiss with Liz was in this theater. So, it was important for us to preserve everything, from the neon lights to the art deco interior and all the great things that come with this theater. We didn’t want it to go away.”
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Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.
When a clinic closes in Wyoming, it doesn’t just close a door; it can cut off access to care for entire communities.
For many residents, getting to a health care provider already means traveling long distances across multiple counties, and local clinics are often the only nearby option for basic health care. With one Title X Family Planning clinic in western Wyoming now closed, the challenge is becoming even more real for many people.
Reproductive and sexual health care is a key part of overall health, but it’s often one of the first services people lose access to when clinics close. Title X Family Planning is a federal program that helps people get essential preventive care, no matter their income. These clinics offer services like birth control, cancer screenings, STI and HIV testing, and care before pregnancy. They help people stay healthy, catch problems early, and plan for their futures.
The need is real. Wyoming’s Title X Family Planning network remains a critical part of the state’s health care system, helping bridge gaps in both access and affordability. With 9 clinics currently serving communities across the state, these providers cared for nearly 12,000 patients through more than 28,000 visits between 2022 and 2025. For many, these clinics are their only source of care: 49% of patients were uninsured, and nearly half were living at or below the federal poverty level.
In a state where distance and cost can both be barriers, affordable care is essential. About 14.6% of Wyoming women ages 19–44 are uninsured, higher than the national average. Title X clinics help meet this need by offering low- or no-cost care, while also connecting patients to referrals and additional health services when needed, ensuring more individuals can get the care they deserve.
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These clinics are also on the front lines of prevention. In recent years, they delivered more than 3,100 cervical cancer screenings and about 20,000 STI and HIV tests. Services like these support early detection and treatment, helping reduce the need for more serious and costly care down the line.
In rural states like Wyoming, once a clinic closes, it is very hard to bring it back. These clinics are more than buildings; they are part of the local health care system that keeps communities healthy.
The good news is that Title X Family Planning clinics are still open, working every day to serve their communities. The Wyoming Health Council supports this network of clinics and works to ensure that people across the state can access the care they need. Through partnerships, education, and community-based programs, the organization helps connect Wyoming residents to reproductive and sexual health services, no matter where they live.
In a state where distance, cost, and provider shortages all play a role, these clinics, and the work supporting them, are more than just a convenience. They are a lifeline.
To help sustain this work and protect access to care across Wyoming, consider making a donation to the Wyoming Health Council.
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Donation Link: givebutter.com/WYTitleX
Required Federal Funding statement: This project is supported by the Office of Populations Affairs (OPA) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health (OASH) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award 1 FPHPA 006541-0-00 totaling $978,380 with 100 percent funded by OPA/OASH/HHS. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by OPA/OASH/HHS or the U.S. Government.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
