Wyoming

Way Off The Beaten Path Are State’s Most Unspectacular ‘Entering Wyoming’ Signs

Published

5 months ago

October 26, 2025

Way Off The Beaten Path Are State’s Most Unspectacular ‘Entering Wyoming’ Signs

Anyone traveling north into Wyoming along Colorado State Highway 125 will pass one of the many large “Colorful Colorado” signs that announce when motorists enter and leave the state.

As they speed by, they might not even notice the lonely, simple green highway sign immediately to their right that tells them they’ve reached Wyoming.

The message is an unspectacular “Entering Wyoming” — short and to the point, but not necessarily sweet or welcoming.

A weary traveler driving toward Baggs might not give another of the unambiguous green road signs a second look. Nevertheless, it’s there and doing its job.

“We think that people appreciate knowing when they’ve crossed into another state,” said Jordan Young, deputy public affairs officer with the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

Entering, Not Welcoming

Drivers on Interstates 80 and 90 and other major highways are welcomed to Wyoming with large, lavish signs. They’re perfect for pull-offs and photo ops for first-time visitors.

WYDOT just replaced the signs along seven primary corridors entering Wyoming from Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, and Utah. This happens every eight years to give the state’s major points of entry a fresh look.

Unlike the minimalist “Enter Wyoming” signs, these measure either 4 feet by 8 feet, or 8 feet by 16 feet for interstate signs.

“People love these signs,” Doug McGee, WYDOT’s Public Affairs Officer, told Cowboy State Daily in October 2024 when the new ones were announced. “I would stake at least $1 that it’s the second most popular sign for photos in Wyoming, behind the Yellowstone National Park entry signs.”

There are many less-traveled roads that cross state lines into Wyoming, and they have their own signs letting drivers know they’ve entered the Cowboy State. Unlike those along the major corridors, these are basic information and not photogenic.

There’s a reason for that, Young said.

The volume of traffic heading toward Cheyenne along I-25 is significantly higher than the volume on Wyoming Highway 230 or other smaller roads, so there’s less reason to invest in a warm welcome.

“It’s also a safety thing,” Young said. “We’re always looking to give people or drivers as much information as possible as they’re driving without distracting them.

“An ‘Entering Wyoming’ sign can help people give law enforcement or first responders a better idea of where they are in relation to different signs, mile markers, and things like that.”

That much is undeniable.

When you pass the “Entering Wyoming” sign, you’ve entered Wyoming.

There’s another reason to keep these signs simple. WYDOT makes its own road signs in-house, and “Entering Wyoming” is smaller and more economical than “Welcome to Wyoming” should anything happen to the sign.

“When a sign has been broken, damaged, or stolen, the green signs are an easy way to fill the space while working on an interim sign, if there is one,” Young said. “Also, the ‘Entering Wyoming’ signs don’t get stolen quite as much, not that I’m giving anyone any ideas.”

The Welcome to Wyoming sign at the border with Colorado on Interstate 25. (Greg Johnson, Cowboy State Daily)

Out, In, Out, In

There aren’t any specific federal or state mandates requiring signs to be posted along every road entering Wyoming. Nevertheless, there are several “Entering Wyoming” signs out there.

“We try to put them wherever anyone might enter Wyoming for the first time,” Young said.

WYDOT even seems to have embraced the “fun” side of placing these signs.

Jordan doesn’t know every spot where there’s an “Entering Wyoming” sign, but she can recall one place where WYDOT put in the extra effort on signage.

“We have a few signs on a section of U.S. 212 in the northeast corner of Wyoming,” she said. The Beartooth Highway “cuts through the corner of the state. You can’t even get to it without leaving Wyoming and coming back into Wyoming through Montana.”

The Beartooth Highway starts and ends in Montana, but most of it stretches across Wyoming. That’s one spot where it’s educational, and somewhat entertaining, to know when you’ve crossed the state line as drivers meander in and out of Wyoming and Montana.

Not Entering A Bidding War

People like the “Welcome to Wyoming” signs, and some are willing to pay big money to get one.

When the last batch of “Welcome to Wyoming” signs were taken down, they were sold at a public auction. When the auction ended in April, 21 signs sold for over $107,000.

Jackson real estate agent Sam Haack was one of the bidders eager to own one of those signs.

He bought one of “the big seven” that stood in Niobrara County alongside U.S. Highway 18 near the South Dakota state line for $9,754.12.”

“I originally went for the one on the western side of the Wyoming-Idaho line between Wilson and Victor,” he said. “That was the closest sign to me, and it was 90% covered with stickers.

“But someone outbid me and paid over $10,000 for that one.”

Several months later, Haack doesn’t regret his purchase in the slightest, although his financial advisor hasn’t shared the same sentiment.

“He told me not to buy anything, including gold, that doesn’t produce money,” he said. “If it just sits there, don’t buy it. This is one of those things that just sits there, but I’ll say it has intangible returns to it.”

As someone willing to pay a premium for a “Welcome to Wyoming” sign, Haack said he would be content to sit on his hands if an “Entering Wyoming” sign were up for sale.

In his view, there’s no personality to it.

“I just drove into Oregon yesterday, and they had a similar sign,” he said. “It was green with white lettering. That sucks. It had very little character to it.”

When the defunct “Welcome to Wyoming” signs went up for auction, Jackson real estate agent Sam Haack welcomed the opportunity to buy one, snagging this one for more than $9,700. (Getty Images)

Not Worth A Sticker

Over their eight-year lifespan, the “Welcome to Wyoming” signs accumulate a lot of stickers from passing travelers, adding to their character and desirability at auction.

The “Entering Wyoming” sign along Wyoming 230 has a few stickers on it, but there’s not much space and (presumably) not much attraction for people to stop to slap on a sticker or snap a selfie.

For Haack, the old “Welcome to Wyoming” sign is more than just a cool conversation piece for his office wall.

“I think for people who grow an affinity for these designs and fonts, the signs become synonymous with the brand of Wyoming as a state,” he said. “That’s why I’m not a fan of the new signs, and I know many people who aren’t, because if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

If there’s any charm to the “Entering Wyoming” signs, Haack doesn’t see it.

“I definitely wouldn’t pay $10,000 for that sign, I’ll tell you that much,” he said.

Keep It Simple

When a “Welcome to Wyoming” sign is replaced, for whatever reason, people take notice. Not so when an “Entering Wyoming” sign is replaced.

In the 21st Century, Google Maps or Siri are more likely to inform drivers when they cross state lines before a sign does. Still, WYDOT sees the importance and value of “Entering Wyoming.”

“Our sign crews will prioritize safety signs before informational signs,” Young said. “Those simple green, informational signs are definitely not super common on the borders, and they’re inexpensive to place and replace.”

And yet, there’s something to the “Entering Wyoming” signs — no embellishments, slogans, or obnoxious posturing for out-of-state travelers.

They’re the blue-collar workers of road signs and get the job done in a way that Wyomingites can respect.

“People need to know where they are, and they like to know when they’ve entered Wyoming,” Young said. “We just want to make sure people do that safely.”

Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.

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Wyoming

Wyoming Coaches Pick the Best of 1A & 2A Boys Basketball in 2026

Published

43 minutes ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Wyoming Coaches Pick the Best of 1A & 2A Boys Basketball in 2026

The top boys’ basketball players in Wyoming for Classes 1A and 2A were chosen for the 2026 high school season. The Wyoming Coaches Association has unveiled the all-state awards for this year, as voted on by the head coaches in the two classifications, respectively. The Wyoming Coaches Association only recognizes one team for all-state, and only these players receive an award certificate from the WCA. WyoPreps only lists all-state players as defined by the WCA.

WCA 1A-2A BOYS BASKETBALL ALL-STATE SELECTIONS IN 2026

Each class selected 14 players for all-state, reflecting a broad recognition of talent across Wyoming. Notably, congratulations go to Hulett’s Kyle Smith, Brady Cook from Lingle-Fort Laramie, and Carsten Freeburg from Pine Bluffs, who earned all-state honors for the third straight year. In addition, eight more players achieved all-state status for the second time in their prep careers.

Class 1A

Paul McNiven – Burlington

Bitner Philpott – Burlington

Ammon Hatch – Cokeville (All-State in 2025)

Hudson Himmerich – Cokeville

Kyle Smith – Hulett (All-State 2024 & 2025)

Anthony Arnusch – Lingle-Ft. Laramie

Brady Cook – Lingle-Ft. Laramie (All-State 2024 & 2025)

Tymber Cozzens – Little Snake River (All-State in 2025)

Corbin Matthews – Lusk

Max Potas – Meeteetse (All-State in 2024)

Jace Westring – Saratoga

Hazen Williams – Saratoga

TJ Moats – Southeast (All-State in 2024)

Nic Schiller – Upton

Read More Boys Basketball News from WyoPreps

WyoPreps 1A-2A State Basketball Scoreboard 2026

WyoPreps 3A-4A Regional Basketball Scoreboard 2026

WyoPreps Coaches and Media Final Basketball Poll 2026

1A-2A Boys Basketball Regional Scoreboard 2026

WyoPreps Boys Basketball Week 11 Scores 2026

WyoPreps Coaches and Media Basketball Polls 2-25-26

WyoPreps Boys Basketball Week 10 Scores 2026

WyoPreps Coaches and Media Basketball Polls 2-18-26

WyoPreps Boys Basketball Week 9 Scores 2026

WyoPreps Coaches and Media Basketball Polls 2-11-26

WyoPreps Boys Basketball Week 8 Scores 2026

WyoPreps Coaches and Media Basketball Polls 2-4-26

Class 2A

Caleb Adsit – Big Horn

Chase Garber – Big Horn

Carsten Freeburg – Pine Bluffs (All-State 2024 & 2025)

Mason Moss – Rocky Mountain

Oakley Hicks – Shoshoni

Kade Mills – Sundance

Cody Bomengen – Thermopolis (All-State in 2025)

Zak Hastie – Thermopolis

Ellis Webber – Thermopolis (All-State in 2025)

Joseph Kimbrell – Wright

Mitchell Strohschein – Wright (All-State in 2025)

Adriano Brown – Wyoming Indian

Heeyei’Niitou Monroe-Black – Wyoming Indian (All-State in 2025)

Cordell Spoonhunter – Wyoming Indian

The 2026 state champions were the Saratoga Panthers in Class 1A. They beat Lingle-Fort Laramie, 50-45, in the championship game. The 2A winners were the Thermopolis Bobcats, who repeated as champions, after a 45-38 victory over Wyoming Indian in the title game.

Lusk versus Rock River high school basketball 2026

Game action between the Tigers and Longhorns

Gallery Credit: Courtesy: Lisa Shaw

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Wyoming

New laws establish a statewide literacy program

Published

13 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

New laws establish a statewide literacy program

A pair of bills signed into law last week aim to build out a more comprehensive system of literacy education across Wyoming’s public schools.

One mandates evidence-based practices and requires regular screenings for dyslexia, while the other enables the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) to hire a dedicated literacy professional to oversee statewide compliance.

Gov. Mark Gordon’s signing of both bills on Friday was the latest accomplishment of an ongoing push for improved literacy standards. That push has been spearheaded by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder.

“Wyoming is not going to let a single child fall through the cracks,” Degenfelder said during a public bill signing last week. “We are not going to fall behind when it comes to ensuring that our children can read at grade level.”

The primary bill, Senate File 59, establishes a statewide K-12 program for teaching students to read that is built on “evidence based language and literacy instruction, assessment, intervention and professional development that supports educators, engages families and promotes literacy proficiency for all Wyoming students.”

The bill defines evidence-based strategies as those that conform to the science of reading, a term that will be defined and updated by Degenfelder’s office. Nationwide, it generally means putting academic research into practice in classrooms. SF 59 specifically prohibits the exclusive use of “three-cueing” — a strategy once widely employed to teach reading but which education experts now say is outdated and less effective than other strategies.

It also requires annual dyslexia screeners for students below the third grade, and testing for reading difficulties for all students.

The screeners are used to identify the severity of reading difficulties in order to direct “tiered” support that offers the most intensive interventions to the students most in need, while still providing “evidence based” language instruction to all students.

Each school district must formulate an individualized reading plan “for each student identified as having reading difficulties or at risk for poor reading outcomes.”

Districts must now report to the state annually regarding their literacy-related work. Any district where 60% or more of the students are struggling will be required to implement “summer literacy camps or extended supports, including after school support and tutoring.”

The bill also requires literacy related professional development for teachers and specialists “appropriate to their role and level of responsibility” related to literacy education.

SF 59 was backed by dyslexia advocates and literacy specialists.

Senate File 14, the other literacy bill signed into law Friday, appropriates $120,000 annually for the next two years for a full-time position at WDE “to assist school districts in implementing a reading assessment and intervention program and language and literacy programs.”

Both bills go into effect July 1.

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Wyoming

Wyoming Announces 2026 Football Schedule – SweetwaterNOW

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Wyoming Announces 2026 Football Schedule

Samuel “Tote” Harris. Photo from gowyo.com

LARAMIE — The University of Wyoming and the Mountain West Conference announced the Cowboys’ 2026 football schedule Monday, a slate that opens with the Border War and concludes with back-to-back home games in Laramie.

Wyoming opens the season Sept. 5 on the road against Colorado State in the 118th edition of the Border War. The Cowboys then host Northern Colorado on Sept. 12 in the home opener before traveling to Central Michigan on Sept. 19.

The Cowboys begin Mountain West play Sept. 26 at home against Hawaii in a matchup for the Paniolo Trophy. Wyoming then faces back-to-back road games at North Dakota State on Oct. 3 and San Jose State on Oct. 10.

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Wyoming returns to War Memorial Stadium on Oct. 17 to host conference newcomer Northern Illinois before facing Air Force at home on Oct. 24. The Cowboys will have an open week on Oct. 31.

The Cowboys open November with road games at UNLV on Nov. 7 and at UTEP on Nov. 14, marking Wyoming’s first meeting with the Miners as members of the Mountain West. Wyoming closes conference play by hosting New Mexico on Nov. 21 and wraps up the regular season with a nonconference game against UConn on Nov. 28 in Laramie.

Each Mountain West team will play four home and four road conference games during the 13-week season, which will conclude with the Mountain West Football Championship Game featuring the two teams with the highest conference winning percentages. The championship game date will be announced later.

With the conference schedule set, Mountain West television partners CBS Sports, FOX Sports, and The CW will begin selecting broadcast games, which could include moving some contests to non-Saturday dates. Network assignments and kickoff times will be announced at a later date.

Season ticket renewals for the 2026 Wyoming football season are now available. Fans can renew their tickets online by visiting gowyo.com/tickets and logging into their account.

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