Wyoming
Officials seek answers as layoff rumors swirl at southwest Wyoming coal mine – WyoFile
Officials in Lincoln County are pressing the owners of the Kemmerer coal mine for more details as rumors circulate about potential layoffs at the site.
County Commission Chairman Kent Connelly told WyoFile on Monday that he and others have heard about communications workers received from mine management concerning pending layoffs.
The company has “put out no press release, given us no numbers,” Connelly told WyoFile by phone. “The people who work there have said that [the company has] talked to them about it. Beyond that, I can’t get an official thing out of the mine at all. We would like to know what’s happening.”
Kemmerer Mayor Robert Bowen said he’s also heard the same reports spreading around the community in recent days without confirmation from the company.
“At this point, I’m not saying it’s not going to happen,” Bowen told WyoFile via phone, “but I’m just skeptical about anything I hear until it does happen, just because I’ve heard so many rumors that, you know, half the time it turned out be false.”
The mine owner, ECC Capital Corporation, did not respond to WyoFile’s inquiries before publication of this story.
Rumors of layoffs have circulated since the Southern California-based “specialty finance and asset management company” acquired the mine from PhenixFIN Corporation last year. The previous owner, Westmoreland Coal Co., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018. In addition to serving the nearby Naughton coal- and natural gas-fired power plant, the mine ships coal to trona operations in southwest Wyoming for boiler systems used in refining processes, as well as out-of-state electrical generation customers, according to local officials.
The mine produced 2.4 million tons of coal in 2024 and employed 215 workers, according to federal data. It produced more than 4.2 million tons in 2017 and employed 279 workers in the fourth quarter of that year.
Bust or boom?
Though local officials are bullish on coal’s prospect for a potential turnaround under the second Trump administration and rising electrical demand, they can only brace for a range of short-term interruptions — from layoffs to a potential closure of the mine. Even as the mine faces uncertainty, the neighboring towns of Kemmerer and Diamondville — along with all of southwest Wyoming — anticipate huge industrial growth and a shortage of affordable housing to meet demands from new projects such as a major trona mining expansion and TerraPower’s Natrium nuclear power plant complex already under construction, Connelly explained.
“I would think people [if they get laid off] would want to stay here,” Connelly said. “They would probably be trying to get hired on at these other places that are hiring.”
However, not every major industrial project that’s in motion is a sure thing, he added. While the Natrium plant and a trona expansion appear to be on track, other plans for a large solar farm and coal-to-products still face uncertainties.
“It’s 50 different things in this area around here,” Connelly said. “There’s a lot going on.”
Though there’s much promise for an expanding industrial economy in the region, local officials are still wary, Lincoln County Economic Development Director Robert King told WyoFile.
“You can’t really depend on anything until you see concrete going in the ground and buildings going up,” King said. “Too many things can happen in the process. We’ve got some high hopes, but until it actually happens, I’m just not going to hold my breath.”
Adding to the uncertainty is what appears to be a lot of chaos under the Trump administration, King said, noting confusion around federal employee layoffs and a freeze on federal grant and research programs that could make or break several industrial projects in the region.
“It’s a strange time right now,” he said.
Penn State beats Wyoming 40-7
12/13/2025 08:30:01 PM
Penn State won its 75th consecutive dual meet by beating Wyoming 40-7 on the road Saturday night. The Lions won eight of 10 bouts, including four victories by fall.
Penn State returns to the mat next Saturday in Nashville. The Lions wrestle North Dakota State and Stanford at the Collegiate Wrestling Duals. If they win both, they will pass Oklahoma State for the Division I record for most consecutive dual victories with 77.
Here are the full results from Saturday night:
125 pounds: No. 2 Luke Lilledahl (So.), Penn State TF Sefton Douglass, Wyoming, 18-3 (3:26) (PSU 5-0)
133 pounds: No. 10 Marcus Blaze (Fr.), PSU F Luke Willochell, Wyoming (3:39) (PSU 11-0)
141 pounds: Nate Desmond (Fr.) Penn State d. John Alden, Wyoming, 11-4 (PSU 15-0)
149 pounds: No. 1 Shayne Van Ness (Jr.), PSU F No. 30 30 Gabe Willochell, Wyoming, 2:54 (PSU 20-0)
157 pounds: No. 15 PJ Duke (Fr.), Penn State F No. 23 Jared Hill, Wyoming, 4:09 (PSU 26-0)
165 pounds: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink (Jr.), PSU F Sloan Swan, Wyoming, 2:00 (35-0 PSU)
174 pounds: No. 1 Levi Haines (Sr.), Penn State TF No. 28 Riley Davis, Wyoming, 18-1 (4:50) (PSU 37-0)
184 pounds: No. 4 Rocco Welsh (So.), PSU d. No. 12 Eddie Neitenbach, Wyoming, 4-1 (PSU 40-0)
197 pounds: No. 2 Joey Novak, Wyoming md. Connor Mirasola, 10-2 (PSU 40-4)
285 pounds: No. 10 Christian Carroll, Wyoming d. No. 11 Cole Mirasola, 10-4 (PSU 40-7)
FINAL: PSU 40, Wyoming 7
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.
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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