Images Cheyenne, WY: 2009 by Journal Communications

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cheyenne, wyoming

Meat and Greet Two generations of brothers make restaurant a favorite

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Give It a Whirl Efforts continue to add more wind farms statewide

The West at Its Best Frontier Days draws thousands of visitors

sponsored by the greater cheyenne chamber of commerce

Cheyenne, Wyoming A City of Choice

Botanic Gardens

Family Recreation

Greenway

Big Hole

Historic Depot Square

Super Day in the Park

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2009 EDITION | VOLUME 7 TM TM

CHEYENNE, WYOMING

24 CO NTE NT S F E AT U R E S 12 LET’S GIVE IT A WHIRL Happy Jack Wind Farm puts Cheyenne at forefront of renewable energy production.

16 MEAT AND GREET Two generations of brothers make The Albany restaurant a local favorite.

20 ENERGIZING THE FRONTIER Gov. Freudenthal says Wyoming’s business-friendly climate is a major plus.

24 HORSING AROUND Bit-O-Wyo Ranch treats its guests to an authentic cowboy experience.

28 GROWING YOUNG MINDS Cheyenne Botanic Gardens children’s garden will teach sustainability.

44 THE WEST AT ITS BEST Frontier Days photo essay highlights one of the country’s iconic festivals

55 AUTHOR! AUTHOR! C.J. Box novels build national following.

ON THE COVER Photo by Brian McCord Cheyenne Frontier Days

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36 CHEYENNE BUSINESS 36 Banking on Business Wells Fargo Bank continues to invest in Cheyenne’s business community.

40 Biz Briefs 42 Chamber Report 43 Economic Proﬁle

44 D E PA R TM E NT S

8 Almanac: a colorful sampling of Cheyenne culture

32 Portfolio: people, places and events that deﬁne Cheyenne

49 Education 51 Health & Wellness 53 Sports & Recreation 57 Community Proﬁle: facts, stats and important numbers to know All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

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Providing Quality Multispecialty Medical Care for Cheyenne Gastroenterology Endocrinology Pulmonary and Critical Care Internal Medicine

Phone: (307) 635-4141 2301 House Avenue, Suite 300

Fax: (307) 638-2656 Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001

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EVERYONE LOVES THIS PARADE The Frontier Days Parade is renowned for its ability to capture the spirit of the Old West. This Cheyenne festival is one of the country’s iconic events. Watch this and other quick videos in the Interactive section.

RELOCATION Considering a move to this community? We can help. Use our Relocation Tools to discover tips, including how to make your move green, advice about moving pets and help with booking movers.

PHOTOS We’ve added even more prize-winning photography to our online gallery. To see these spectacular photos, click on Photo Gallery.

FACTS & STATS Go online to learn even more about: • Schools • Health care • Utilities • Parks • Taxes

LOCAL FLAVOR In a wide-ranging menu, meat and potatoes still star at The Albany restaurant, a family institution. Get a taste of local ﬂavor in our food section.

ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE Images gives readers a taste of what makes Cheyenne tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts. “Find the good – and praise it.”

CHEYENNE

– Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

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Way To Go, Esther A key figure in the women’s suffrage movement has Cheyenne connections. Esther Hobart Morris was born in 1812 in New York, but eventually settled in Cheyenne. She is widely acclaimed as an influential figure in the events that established women’s suffrage in Wyoming, granting women the right to vote in all public elections. In addition, Morris became the first woman to hold a judicial position in Wyoming. A statue of her was erected in 1960 at the Wyoming Capitol. By the way, another prominent local woman is Suzan Shown Harjo, a Cheyenne Indian activist who was a founding trustee of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.

Goose Down Pillows It’s official: Cheyenne is now home to Wyoming’s largest meeting and convention facility. An expansion took place in 2008 to make the Little America Hotel and Resort an 80-acre destination of luxury service. Amenities include a nine-hole executive golf course, an Olympicsized swimming pool and 188 guest rooms, each featuring 37-inch flat-screen TVs and goose down pillows. The resort also features in-hotel dining, a 24-hour convenience store and high-speed Internet service.

The Winner Is: Us Hail to Laramie County Library. The library, housed in a newly constructed building, was the winner of the 2008 Library of the Year award, as presented by Library Journal and Gale Cengage Learning. Each year, Library Journal and Gale Cengage Learning select a library where high standards, innovative services and commitment to community make it extraordinary. More than 80 percent of the residents of Laramie County have library cards, and more than 200 home-school families get regular mailings. The library was also recognized because its new building achieved Gold certification as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) structure. The honors meant the library was awarded $10,000.

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Almanac

Fast Facts Starry, Starry Night Cheyenne has very little light and dust pollution, and there is enough breeze most of the time to keep the skies clear. Amateur astronomers and stargazers are in their heavenly glory on many nights when they look up at the Cheyenne sky. According to Paul Crips, an expert astronomer and science teacher at Carey Junior High School, planets and the occasional comet can be admired at various times throughout a calendar year. Crips says many stars are grouped and easy to see, as well as planets such as Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter. He oversees the Carey Junior High School Society of Student Astronomers, which has 50 students who “observe all the time,” according to Crips.

Retiring But Not Shy Carefree retirement is a catchphrase in the 21st century, and a new community in Cheyenne has caught it. Whispering Chase is a spacious and comfortable retirement community that opened in the fall of 2008, and its emphasis is on independence. It is being billed as one of the nicest retirement destinations in the Western Plains. Besides a variety of activities, Whispering Chase tells its residents to leave the driving, cooking, dishwashing, cleaning, yard work, maintenance and repairs to them. Three meals are chef-prepared from scratch every day, and two teams of live-in managers ensure on-site availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Q Actors Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw married in Cheyenne’s Holliday Park in 1973. Q The term “riding shotgun” actually originated in the days of the infamous Cheyenne-Deadwood Stage. In the 1870s, stagecoaches hauling gold became a target for thieves, so men were paid to sit alongside the driver with a shotgun to provide protection. Q Legendary Gen. John J. “Black Jack” Pershing had a home in Cheyenne. The family had another home in California, yet his wife and three daughters lived here. Q Cheyenne, with an elevation of 6,062 feet, is the secondhighest state capital in the United States, behind only Santa Fe, N.M. (6,348 feet). Q The railroads are the reason for Cheyenne’s existence and continue to be major players in the area’s economy. More than 100 trains still pass through the city every day. Q The Francis E. Warren Air Force Base is Cheyenne’s largest employer with 4,293 employees, followed by the State of Wyoming with 3,645.

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Sit back and enjoy a preview of Cheyenne amenities. Explore its landscapes, cultural offerings, food and fun. See its downtown, neighborhoods, parks and attractions. Experience the history, hot spots and local happenings. Cheyenne is rated L for Livability.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF LITTLE AMERICA HOTEL, CHEYENNE

Almanac

Pressing Issue

Hospice Haven An opportunity to spend time with others experiencing the same feelings is available to guests of the Davis Hospice Center. The homelike, 12-bed inpatient hospice features all private rooms with window sitting areas that double as sleeping areas for family members. Amenities include a garden, courtyard, patio and Fred â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the resident elk statue. There is also a waterfall to provide even more of a peaceful setting.

Their paper is now black and blue â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and red. The Wyoming Tribune Eagle newspaper invested $15.5 million in 2008 for a new printing press as well as a new press building and mailroom. It went on-edition in June 2008 with its new MAN Roland Uniset 75 press that was constructed in Germany. The press was installed to bring a higher quality, more colorful newspaper to advertisers and readers. The paper currently has 15,800 daily customers and 16,700 Sunday readers, and there is a staff of 24 people in the newsroom.

Cheyenne | At A Glance POPULATION (2007 ESTIMATE) Cheyenne: 55,641 Laramie County: 86,353

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LOCATION The city of Cheyenne is located in the southeastern corner of Wyoming. Cheyenne is just 90 miles north of Denver. BEGINNINGS When the Union Pacific Railroad began to roll through Wyoming in 1867, Cheyenne was born. Gen. Grenville Dodge named the city after the Native American Cheyenne tribe. The area blossomed so quickly that the nickname, Magic City of the Plains, was coined. The city was incorporated on Aug. 8, 1867. FOR MORE INFORMATION Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce One Depot Square 121 W. 15th St. Suite 204 Cheyenne, WY 82001 Phone: (307) 638-3388 Fax: (307) 778-1407 www.cheyennechamber.org

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Warren AFB

NEBRASKA

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Burns 80

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Cheyenne

Denver D en enver en WATCH MORE ONLINE | Take a virtual tour of Cheyenne at imagescheyenne.com, courtesy of our award-winning photographers.

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Let’s

Give it a

Whirl

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HAPPY JACK WIND FARM MAKES REGION A LEADER IN RENEWABLE ENERGY STORY BY MICHAEL KELLY

BRIAN M C CORD

motorist taking a drive west on Happy Jack Road doesn’t take long to realize that the large wind turbines on the horizon are producing energy right before their eyes. “Cheyenne is among a growing number of communities across the nation that is looking at ways to produce renewable energy with the idea that some of the electricity being produced might be lighting up the light bulbs in our very own homes,” said Rick Kaysen, mayor of Cheyenne. The Happy Jack Wind Farm, which opened in September 2008, was built by Duke Energy for Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power, a subsidiary of Black Hills Corp. The nearly 30-megawatt wind farm, located 8 miles outside the city on city-owned land, is providing thousands of homes with power and establishing Cheyenne as a green community. “One of the biggest advantages is that wind energy does not suffer from fuel-price volatility,” says Mark Stege, vice president of operations for Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power. “In addition, the operation and maintenance costs for wind are relatively low compared to other forms of energy production, and the time it takes to construct and start up a wind energy

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Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power’s new wind-energy facility, Happy Jack Wind Farm, recently came online.

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BRIAN M C CORD

Wind turbines at Happy Jack Wind Farm produce approximately 100,000 megawatt hours annually.

facility is relatively short when compared to that of a coalfired or natural gas facility.” And wind is plentiful in the state. Wyoming has a great wind resource,” says Mike Schmidt, program Director/instructor of the wind energy technology program at Laramie County Community College. “The advantages of wind energy are that wind is a completely renewable energy source. Electricity produced from wind leaves no ash piles or CO2 emissions, and wind energy creates high skilled high paying jobs in rural areas of our state, and other states, that have struggled because job opportunities are not there. The focus of our program is to prepare technicians to fill these jobs, servicing and repairing these very sophisticated machines.” The Happy Jack Wind Farm, which has 14 wind turbines so far, will provide Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power with between 90,000 and 110,000 megawatt hours annually. Just as important, it’s another statewide step in making wind power a more significant energy source. “At the end of 2007, the state was producing 288 megawatts from wind power,” Schmidt says. “At the end of September 2008, we had increased that amount to 459 megawatts.” The 4,500 megawatts goal is a big jump from what the state was producing earlier this decade. Five years ago wind turbines were producing 660 kilowatts of power each. Now, the turbines at Happy Jack Wind Farm each produce 2.1 14

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megawatts of power. The city of Cheyenne isn’t going to stop there. There are plans under review to build another wind farm at the cityowned Belvoir Ranch, where 10,000 acres out of 17,000 acres could be available for wind turbines. “Turbines at the site could produce 200 to 400 megawatts in the future,” Kaysen says. “This is one more step in us taking a leadership role in renewable energy.” The residents of Cheyenne have embraced the city’s efforts to develop wind power and support its effort to become a beacon in the quest for renewable energy. “The new wind facility has had a very positive impact on the community, and overall, the residents of Cheyenne appear to be very accepting of it,” says Stege, who serves on the Laramie County Community College wind technician advisory board. “Wyoming is ranked seventh in available wind resources in the U.S., with a large amount of exceptional resources yet untapped.” One of the next hurdles to overcome in this growing sector is how to export the excess wind energy. “We can’t use all that electricity here in Wyoming; our state’s potential for growth in this industry is limited only by the ability to move the electrical power we produce to where it is needed.” Schmidt says. In the meantime, Cheyenne can look to the west and watch the wind turbines work for them. CHEYENNE

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARA EASTWOOD

Gov. Dave Freudenthal, right, talks with Project Manager Tom Bailey of Duke Energy at the Happy Jack Wind Farm.

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Meat Greet

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TWO GENERATIONS OF BROTHERS MAKE THE ALBANY A LOCAL FAVORITE

STORY BY DANNY BONVISSUTO PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN McCORD

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here are two kinds of people in this world,” says Gus Kallas, who co-owns and operates The Albany restaurant with his brother, George. “There are people who live to eat, and people who eat to live. I live to eat.” Kallas is not alone. Since his father, Blackie, and uncle, James, transformed a shuttered hotel into a restaurant and bar back in 1942 and kept the name, generations of locals have returned time and again for their all-American fare. “We take raw food and create things from scratch,” Kallas says. “We make our own soups, create our own specials and can make just about anything you want.” From hot wings, nachos and Caesar salads to tuna melts and burritos, there’s truly something for everyone – including

the kids, who can choose from a hot dog, hamburger, grilled cheese, chicken strips or peanut butter and jelly sandwich served with fries. Even with all the variety, Kallas says meat is the main attraction, including their slow-roasted prime rib dinner, lamb chops with mint jelly and the 8-ounce chicken fried steak served with gravy. “We sell a lot of everything, but our customers love their meat and potatoes,” he says. “This is cowboy country.” The Albany’s menu also boasts a Greek-style chicken breast with feta cheese and Kalamata olives, as well as “the best Greek salad in town,” which makes sense given the original owners’ heritage. James and Blackie Kallas emigrated from Greece in the early 1920s to work for the railroad.

The Albany Restaurant/Bar and Liquormart is a local favorite known for made-from-scratch meals and its warm atmosphere. Left: The Kallas brothers started the business in 1942 in what was once a hotel.

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“Union Pacific brought them here, put them to work, treated them right and paid them well. They stayed here and brought their relatives here,” Kallas says. “My dad was a sheep herder in the old country, and he used to say the only thing he missed was his dog and his mule. This was his country.” The brothers transitioned into the restaurant business in the early 1940s easily because “they didn’t have to have a command of the language,” Kallas says. “You just had to know how to cook and tend bar and wait on people.”

“I started working here when I was 10, and I’m 55 now. We earned our stripes in the kitchen with my dad’s cooks.” The younger Kallas brothers started helping their father and uncle at an early age, and took over the business in the early 1970s. “I started working here when I was 10, and I’m 55 now,” Kallas says. “We earned our stripes in the kitchen with my dad’s cooks, did four-year stints at University of Wyoming right over the hill, got out and came right back here. We’re restaurant and bar people, and this is what we do.” Much like their father and uncle before them, Gus and George Kallas are hands-on throughout the restaurant, and are just as comfortable in the kitchen as they are chatting with guests in the dining room. They take great pride in their 100-year-old building, as well as their status as an independent restaurant in Cheyenne. They’ve also attracted a faithful following in the bar area thanks to the comfortable atmosphere, wide range of beer on tap and early and late happy hour specials. “The Albany has been good to our family,” Kallas says. “From my line cooks to the wait staff, we all work hard to make it right.”

The Albany’s bar has a lively nightlife and is a real “oldtime” Cheyenne place to enjoy a drink with friends.

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Energizing Frontier

the

GOVERNOR SAYS: CHEYENNE IS POSITIONED FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH

STORY BY BETSY WILLIAMS

BRIAN M C CORD

uch like the borders of Wyoming, Gov. Dave Freudenthal is steering his state down a straight path of economic prosperity. Currently serving his second term, the popular governor says it is important to make wise use of the state’s abundant resources while continuing to look for new economic growth tools. “Wyoming has been and remains a state whose economy is driven by the recovery of natural resources,” Gov. Freudenthal says, noting the state is the top producer of coal and uranium in the nation and the second in the production of natural gas. “We also produce a significant amount of oil and a growing amount of wind power. The nation’s thirst for renewable energy provides opportunities for Wyoming, as we have some of the highest-quality wind resources in the nation.” Cheyenne, in particular, stands to benefit from this renewable energy source, he says. “Cheyenne sits just south of some of the best wind resources in the country. As the demand for renewable wind power increases, this area will come to the forefront for wind development.” While the energy industry is the financial backbone of the Cheyenne has a thriving downtown.

Gov. Dave Freudenthal says Wyoming is in â&#x20AC;&#x153;remarkably good economic condition compared to other states.â&#x20AC;?

“The nation’s thirst for renewable energy provides opportunity for Wyoming, as we have some of the highest-quality wind resources in the nation. ”

lowest of all the states, and we have low exposure to the subprime mortgage problem. We need to continue to invest in our state, to build highways and fund local governments, but we also need to be careful to not get out in front of our headlights. We have the current financial capacity to make calculated, one-time expenditures for investment in our state and its citizens.” Adding to the area’s economic base in the future will be the National Center for Atmospheric Research, which the governor was actively involved in recruiting. “The NCAR supercomputer is the kind of strategic asset that will serve us well into the future,” he says. “The benefits come in many forms and include the capital investment, the jobs that will come with the physical facility and the new frontiers of knowledge that the machine will enable.” NCAR will offer research opportunities, including studies of geologic formations that could be used for carbon capture and sequestration, and in the area of alternative energy, with studies of wind turbine blade designs and other technology.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARA EASTWOOD

state, officials have also created a climate where small businesses can flourish in Wyoming. “Our state offers a favorable tax climate and business-friendly communities,” says Gov. Freudenthal. As part of the fastest-growing region in the United States – the Rocky Mountain West – Cheyenne is well-positioned for new growth, says Gov. Freudenthal. “Cheyenne sits at the north end of the growing Front Range and at the junction of two major interstate highways and two important railways,” he says. “As a result, the city is poised to benefit from the increased interest in this area. This region offers a high quality of life, a relatively low cost of living and a low cost of doing business.” Gov. Freudenthal knows 2009 will bring economic challenges, but says Wyoming is prepared. “Wyoming will have to accommodate a significant downturn of the national economy in the coming months,” he says. “However, our state is in remarkably good shape compared to the rest of the nation. Our unemployment rate is among the

Gov. Dave Freudenthal says his state, and specifically Cheyenne, is prepared to face the economic challenges ahead.

BIT-O-WYO RANCH PUTS ON A STABLE SHOW

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Horsing

Around BIT-O-WYO RANCH PUTS ON A STABLE SHOW

STORY BY DANNY BONVISSUTO

“

“We have five different trail rides through the foothills, some where people can ride along ridges where the creek is 50 yards below,” Steele says. “But the horses are all trained for this kind of thing and they’re very well behaved.” On Saturday evenings around 6:30, and on other nights by request, the Horse Barn Dinner Show draws tourists and locals alike. “People visit with the horses and take pictures with them,” Steele says. “They get a big bang out of that.” Dinner starts at 7 p.m. and includes a flatiron steak, baked

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRIS/VICKIE PYLE

hen we tell people they’re coming to a horse barn dinner show, we’re not kidding,” says Dennis Steele. Steele is owner and operator of Bit-OWyo Ranch, a true cowboy experience in the foothills of the Medicine Bow National Forest between Cheyenne and Laramie. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, Bit-O-Wyo offers trail rides every morning and afternoon, except for a couple of days when the horses rest.

Guests at Bit-O-Wyo Ranch enjoy a popular Horse Barn Dinner Show that features the Blue Water Cowboy Band.

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beans, baked potato, applesauce and brownie served by the wranglers. Shortly afterward, the Blue Water Cowboy Band takes the stage, and that’s Steele’s time to shine. “We put on a whale of a show,” he says. “We have a stand-up string bass, sometimes two guitars, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and do everything from the standard cowboy stuff like ‘Tumbling Tumbleweeds’ to contemporary Nashville songs.” The Bit-O-Wyo posse of singers and dancers includes, among others, Steele, who is an associate professor and chairperson for the department of physics and computational science at Regis University in Denver, his daughters, Heather and Shannan, on vocals, and his son, Gabe, on vocals and bass. “We have a lot of comedy, too,” Steele says. “It’s a family show; no risqué material. We sold out every show last summer. Our guests represented 35 of the 50 states and 7 foreign countries including Italy, Norway and Venezuela.” Bit-O-Wyo’s show schedule increases during Cheyenne

Frontier Days in July, and they also do an annual military night to honor soldiers present and past. “We had a family with us one military night who had their great-grandfather with them who was 85 and had served in World War II,” Steele says. “During dinner, it came to my attention that there were five other men in the crowd who had served in the same war. I asked Bob, our fiddle player, if he knew the Marine Hymn. When we started playing it, the 85-year-old stood up and went into full salute to the American flag. Then the other five stood. Then someone in the audience stood and saluted them, and, oh my gosh, we didn’t have enough Kleenex in the house.” Steele has unknowingly created other happy coincidences. “This summer, we sat two parties together at the same table because they were from the same state,” Steele says. “Turns out, both families lived two houses apart and didn’t even know they were neighbors until they came out here.”

Bit-O-Wyo Ranch offers guests an authentic cowboy experience.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHRIS/VICKIE PYLE

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Growing Young Minds

NEW CHILDREN'S GARDEN TO TEACH SUSTAINABILITY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN McCORD

heyenne has a secret that will be revealed this summer, when the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens’ new Children’s Garden opens. “We will have a place where children can create art using natural materials,” says Shane Smith, director of the Botanic Gardens since it first opened in 1977. “It will create a beautiful setting for families to learn and grow together and have fun with nature.” Smith says the addition will feature a Secret Garden – inspired by the children’s book of the same name – and will focus on sustainability. “We were doing ‘sustainable’ before the word was coined,” Smith says. “With the children’s garden, we will be teaching sustainability of the past as well as the future.” The design, developed by noted landscape architect Herb Schall and funded through private donations, offers natural and urban components, including a historic prairie that will Located in Lions Park, the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens offers nine acres of lush landscapes and gardens.

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allow visitors to see how Native Americans lived in the Cheyenne area; a sustainable agriculture area featuring a village square, farmer’s market and amphitheater; a solar court that will demonstrate healthy food preparation methods that utilize fresh produce; and examples of water systems. “The fact is that we live on a planet with finite resources, and we want kids to understand the importance of sustainability,” Smith says. “We want them to learn how to do more with less, whether it’s with solar heating, windmills, alternative building materials or whatever.” The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is an important feature in the community. The garden grew in the mid-1980s to become a solar conservatory consisting of three greenhouses. The center greenhouse is filled with sunshine, tropical plants and special attractions such as herb and cacti gardens, and a waterfall pond filled with Koi fish. The west greenhouse is used primarily for growing vegetables, while the east greenhouse is focused on propagation of bedding plants and flowers for the botanic garden grounds and all flowers for the Cheyenne park system. The Botanic Gardens’ unique solar conservatory is 100percent solar heated, with 50 percent of its electricity also powered by the sun. Also under development and under Smith’s direction is the 62-acre arboretum located on Cheyenne’s west side. It’s not yet fully functional and ready for organized touring, but it is still open to the public for informal strolls through trees, some of

“We live on a planet with ﬁnite resources, and we want kids to understand the importance of sustainability.” which are native to the area. “The arboretum was a USDA Experiment Station from the 1930s to the 1970s, and their whole goal was to search the planet for trees, shrubs, flowers and crops that were hardy enough for the high plains,” Smith says. “They found quite a few from similar climates in northern China, Tibet and Siberia.” Visitors should bring their cell phones to the gardens. “We have a cell phone tour where visitors can dial a number next to a garden, and there will be brief explanation and fun facts about that landscape,” Smith says. Such a facility is rare. “I don’t think people realize that it’s almost unheard of for a city of this size to have a full-service botanic garden,” Smith says. “One reason we’re able to do it is because of the incredible number of volunteers – mostly senior citizens, kids and handicapped individuals.”

Cheyenne Botanic Gardens includes three greenhouses, a 62-acre arboretum and will soon open its Children’s Garden.

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Portfolio

Wyoming’s Game and Fish Department is dedicated to protecting the state’s wildlife – and way of life.

PHOTO BY BRIAN M C CORD

Environmental Stewardship WYOMING GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT PROTECTS STATE’S NATURAL RESOURCES

n Wyoming, hunting and fishing are more than hobbies – these and other outdoor activities are a way of life. The location of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in Cheyenne is a source of pride and contributes to both the local economy and the protection of natural resources. In addition to providing approximately 150 jobs for Cheyenne citizens, the headquarters building is a convenient location for people in Wyoming’s capital city to purchase licenses and gather resources on wildlife management. The department maintains approximately 413,000 acres of land under deed, lease or by agreement. “Management of these lands demonstrates our state’s commitment to its 32

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precious wildlife heritage and those people who seek to enjoy our wildlife and wild lands,” says Teresa Cole, information and publications manager. “Wyoming’s wildlife habitat management areas provide crucial winter habitat for big game and important production areas for small birds and mammals.” GFD has an access program designed to expand hunting opportunities to the public by forging agreements with landowners who control large expanses of Wyoming’s open spaces. “These lands are managed by the landowner,” Cole says. “The excellent hunting and fishing opportunities available on private lands is a testimony to the land stewardship of those landowners. Private lands play an

integral role in sustaining wildlife diversity and populations in Wyoming.” In close proximity to Cheyenne is The Springer Wildlife Habitat Management Area, which is considered to be one of the best pheasant and goose hunting areas in the state. Current management priorities for the Springer area are focused on geese, ducks and pheasants. Each fall, Game and Fish offers youth-only pheasant hunting days at Springer. Seventeen walk-in hunting areas are open in Laramie County, offering big game hunting for antelope and deer, or other species such as rabbits, pheasants, doves and sharp-tailed grouse. Game wildlife also abounds in surrounding counties and includes elk, waterfowl and partridge. CHEYENNE

F.E. Warren Air Force Base

Patriotism on display “C

heyenne kind of reminds you of an era gone by in America,” says Wing Commander Colonel Michael Morgan of F.E. Warren Air Force Base. It is not unusual to see men and women walking around in uniform.” Warren is the oldest continuously active military installation in America. It is home to the 90th Space Wing, known as the “Mighty Ninety,” which provides protection to the missile and space surveillance programs. For nearly as long as there has been a town, there has been a military presence in Cheyenne. Both were forged together in 1867. The residents cherish this heritage, which has resulted in a long-standing practice of bringing military members into the fold. This close relationship between the community and its military base has become the model for other military communities. In fact, the U.S. Department of Defense frequently uses Cheyenne as an example when it considers creating new bases around the world. “We are unique,” Morgan says. “We both grew up together. So, the military is treated like family here.” Military holidays, such as Veterans’ Day, emphasize community support as they feature multiple parades, community gatherings and a wreath-laying ceremony. That supportive environment leads many military members to choose to stay for years after their duty is done. Indeed, many even choose to retire in Cheyenne. The military and the city are also intertwined in a business sense. The base draws from Cheyenne for its civilian workforce. Warren is the area’s largest employer, with more than 1,000 civilians employed and more than 4,000 total employees. The base is still growing. The Wyoming National Guard has plans to complete a Black Hawk unit on the base in the fall, indicating that presence will be strong for years to come. CHEYENNE

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Lasting Outreach F

In the 1900S they said man will never ﬂy ...

... and then in the 1920S they said mail will never be delivered faster than by train ...

... in the 1950S they said passengers will never travel at the speed of sound ...

... then they said airline travel would never be aﬀordable for everyone ...

for almost 100 years, Cheyenne Regional Airport has been here to prove “never” is simply not a word in our vocabulary. With six ﬂights a day connecting to Denver, Cheyenne still remains the gateway to the region and beyond.

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ew organizations have the kind of lasting impact on a community as do the Boys & Girls Clubs. Cheyenne Boys & Girls Club is no exception. One of just of over 3,000 clubs in the country, BGC of Cheyenne serves an average of 100 young people daily, ranging from first-graders to high school seniors. The students come to the BGC to participate in sports, take music lessons and improve academically through tutoring. “We are not a daycare center, but we do take care of kids,” says BGC of Cheyenne Executive Director Gordon Eldredge. “We are not a recreation center, but we use recreation sports to draw kids into the club. We are not a treatment center, but we help a lot of kids with just growing up. We are actually a discovery center.” BGC makes a large-scale impact by reaching out to one youngster at a time. Youth who join BGC are likely to be involved in the program for years, often volunteering as adults. Now in its 11th year in Cheyenne, the club has recently unveiled plans for a major expansion of its facility. Although still on the drawing board, the planned 30,000-square-foot facility will sit on 12 acres and include playing fields. It will accommodate up to 300 young people at a time. “The potential to impact kids is growing with the possibility of the new facility,” Eldredge says. “The only reason we exist is because of good people in the community who care about our young people. Keeping kids on the right track keeps the city on the right track.” Numerous businesses have donated to the organization, and Eldredge says he continues to try and get the word out about the many positive contributions BGC makes to the Cheyenne community.

The Cheyenne Boys & Girls Club, in its 11th year, has plans to expand.

CHEYENNE

Portfolio Yaks are naturally suited to thrive in Wyoming’s terrain and weather.

BRIAN M C CORD

Yak Farm Attracts Attention

heyenne’s Willis Larson’s decision to start a yak farm has been met with curiosity – and interest. “I get people every month who come in and check out the yaks,” Larson says. “Few people know that much about them. Sometimes people even ask me how many eggs they have laid.” Originally from the Himalayas, yaks have been turning up more frequently over the past decade in North America, particularly on western ranches. After retiring from a state job about eight years ago, Larson decided he wanted to get back to a rancher’s life. That’s when a friend got him looking at yaks. The two decided to purchase a few of the animals. “We didn’t know anything about them,” Larson says. “But I wanted to do something that was different, and I knew I wanted to be back on the ranch. And yaks are a great ranch animal.” When Larson and his wife, Robbie, began handling yaks, they were oneof-a-kind ranchers in the state. Since then, several ranchers have followed suit, which has been good for business. Larson primarily sells yaks to backyard ranchers who keep them as a hobby. From a commercial standpoint, yak meat is marketed as a low-fat alternative to beef. Yaks make sense for local ranchers because the animals eat about one-third of what cows consume and they thrive in rocky and cold climates. Shelter isn’t needed in the winter. Larson, like the visitors to his ranch, finds the animals interesting. “I love working with them and caring for them,” Larson says. “Their personalities are bolder than even horses. You learn something different everyday with these animals.” – Stories by Brandon Lowe CHEYENNE

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Business

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CHEYENNE

Banking on

Business WELLS FARGO BANK CONTINUES RICH HISTORY OF INVESTING IN COMMUNITY

STORY BY BETSY WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN McCORD

t’s only fitting that the oldest surviving national bank in Wyoming should now carry the respected Wells Fargo name. Granted its charter in 1881 as the Stock Growers National Bank, the Wells Fargo Bank of Cheyenne has operated under a number of owners through the years, but has found its home with Wells Fargo since 2000. The financial institution has been a major player in the community’s development during its impressive history, a tradition that has continued for the past 16 years under the direction of Tom Stuckey, community banking president. “We’re involved in a number of organizations that have helped the community grow, in addition to our financial commitment,” says Stuckey. “We’re all part of the community, and the bank supports it financially at a pretty high level in all kinds of organizations. It takes a balance in a community to make it attractive for

a company to make an investment.” The bank has been helping businesses grow and expand for decades, including Reiman Construction, a general contractor that has built a number of projects, and Peak Wellness Center Inc., a not-for-profit mental health and substance abuse center that opened its doors in an abandoned elementary school in January. “We’ve had inadequate office space for some time, and we began a few years ago looking for either a building or property,” says Dr. David Birney, the center’s director. “We found the Churchill School and worked with the school system to acquire it, then went to Wells Fargo to finance the project through industrial revenue bonds. We’ve done banking with Wells Fargo for some time, and they’ve helped us with numerous projects. They provided very good terms on the bonds and were with us every step of the way.” The $4 million project has made

Tom Stuckey, president of Wells Fargo Bank in Cheyenne

CHEYENNE

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Wells Fargo Bank of Cheyenne plays a significant role in the economy of the community and region. Below: Safety deposit boxes at Wells Fargo Bank

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excellent use of a 27,000-square-foot abandoned building, Dr. Birney notes. “We can bring all of the muscle and brain power of the fourth-largest banking company to Cheyenne when we need that resource,” says Stuckey. “But, even though we have access to those resources, almost all of our decisions are locally based, made by me and my team members.” Wells Fargo continues to be the only bank to receive the AAA rating by both national ratings agencies, says Stuckey. “We never did loosen up our lending standards five or six years ago like many of our competitors,” he says. As a result Wells Fargo has remained strong in an uncertain economic time. “I think we have a very bright future here in Cheyenne,” Stuckey says. “One of the things we’re good at is that we can ‘out-national’ the locals when warranted and we can ‘out-local’ national competitors. It’s a strategy we’ve followed for the past 16 years.”

CHEYENNE

Cheyenneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wells Fargo Bank maintains an AAA rating even in uncertain economic times.

CHEYENNE

I M AG E S C H E Y E N N E . C O M

PHOTOS BY BRIAN M C CORD

Business | Biz Briefs

Terry Bison Ranch has a place for RVs, a restaurant, a retail store and offers visitors a train tour of the ranch.

BREEDING BISON TAKES BALANCE Terry Bison Ranch has 2,000 head of buffalo on 41 square miles, which is about as close to roaming free on the range as it comes. Still, owner and rancher Dan Thiel faces a delicate balancing act in growing the herd. Part of Terry Bison Ranch’s mission is tourism. In 2008, 6,000 people toured the ranch. More tours and human contact, though, can affect breeding. “Bison are extremely sensitive, and the more freedom we take away from them the less calves we have,” he says. In a good year, 90 percent of the females will bear a calf, typically in May. That ratio can drop to 50 percent if the bison get too bothered. Balance is required. “You have to have a balance between tourism and breeding,” Thiel says. With cattle breeding, ranchers typically have one bull for every 20 cows. With bison, the ratio is 1 to 10. The courtship ritual is more involved, Thiel says, and the male will follow the female around for a full four days. “Female bison are the ones who control of the 40

I M AG E S C H E Y E N N E . C O M

courtship process,” he says. See www.terrybisonranch.com for more information. STAYING ON TRACK The railroad made Cheyenne a vibrant, sophisticated city in the late 1800s, and Wyoming’s capital remains a hub for rail freight. Nortrak is a relative newcomer to the scene, setting up its Cheyenne plant a dozen years ago. Even so, the company provides a crucial component: the steel turnouts that allow trains to move from one track to the other. Since opening, Nortrak has more than doubled the size of its manufacturing facility and added the ability to make concrete turnout ties as well, says James Rittmueller, Nortrak’s director of risk management. November 2008 marked the first year of concrete production, and Nortrak produced more than 100 such tie sets for Union Pacific. “We always are looking for ways to expand,” Rittmueller says. Nortrak is part of the voestalpine Group, an Austrian high-tech steel

manufacturer. In Cheyenne, Nortrak employs about 130 people and commits to purchase supplies and components from local vendors whenever possible. FUN ON THE MENU Genaro and Maria Tapia opened a small business that made fresh tortillas 11 years ago. Today, The Tortilla Factory is a full-service restaurant with a small on-site grocery. “It was a dream of my parents to have their own restaurant,” Martin Tapia says. Martin, a brother, two sisters and their parents all work at the popular Mexican restaurant. Dad is the mastermind in the kitchen; mom handles the finances. Holidays are especially busy – tamales are a mainstay of a traditional Christmas feast in Mexico. In 2007, the kitchen turned out 1,000 dozen tamales for take-out. “We have six full pans going at a time, all day,” Martin Tapia says. Locals rave about The Tortilla Factory’s authentic cuisine. In addition to the tamales, signature dishes include CHEYENNE

Frontier Refinery in Cheyenne refines gasoline, diesel fuel and other refined petroleum products.

the green chile plate, steak ranchero and smothered burritos. FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENT Frontier Refining has clear goals. It wants to be the leading refinery and premier employer in the Rocky Mountain region, says Mike Milam, vice president and refinery manager. The facility has a permitted capacity for 52,000 barrels of crude oil per day, 340 permanent employees and a new $15 million administration building adjacent to the refinery with room to grow. Frontier expects to grow. The company, which refines gasoline, diesel fuel and asphalt and other refined petroleum products, recently bought another 130 acres to position itself for the future. Frontier’s focus is being safe and environmentally responsible. The company is also committed to the community, supporting the Boys and Girls Clubs and Habitat for Humanity, and sponsoring local concerts and sports tournaments. ENROLLMENT GROWS Laramie County Community College President Darrel Hammon admits he and the school are in a sweet spot: Wyoming’s oil and gas revenue allow the campus to continue to grow. The college’s newest building – a $14.8 million health sciences center – opened in January 2009. It features computerized “medipeople” that can simulate vital signs and symptoms to guide students in making diagnoses. Enrollment at LCCC has grown 35 percent in six years, to more than 3,800 full-time students. A new residence hall opened in 2006. In 2007, the American Association of Community Colleges and the Center for Digital Education ranked LCCC as No.1 on its list of tech-savvy community colleges. “We have really worked at becoming a true technology campus,” Hammon says. “Our students need it and want it, and we have responded.” Students demonstrated support by voting to pay an extra fee to help pay for the technology improvements. The campus has been wireless for years. – Pamela Coyle CHEYENNE

I M AG E S C H E Y E N N E . C O M

Business | Chamber Report

Champions for Business CHEYENNE CHAMBER FOSTERS A WELCOMING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

and city officials regarding problems with zoning and permitting, working with an entire business sector to ensure a fair playing field when it comes to regulations crossing state lines or helping a business work through the red tape of military contracts. The chamber is growing an entrepreneur program. “We are striving to be a one-stop shop where we personally walk entrepreneurs through the process of starting a business,” says Steenbergen. “We will go to the Small Business Development Center with the client and talk about loans, business start-ups and expansions, and we have a packet online and in print that outlines all the resources available to the entrepreneur that will help start or expand a business.” Legislative advocacy is another area of focus under Steenbergen’s direction. “We have grown a governmental affairs program that moves from the local to the federal level. We have hired a consultant who is paid by donations from chamber members,” he says. “Our Action and

Advocacy Committee produces a legislative agenda, going through issues one at a time, deciding which of those issues we’re going to develop education materials on and which ones are priorities. We do a lot of polling with our members to make certain we are representing their interests, and we take that information and deliver it to our local, state and federal officials.” The new Wrangler Program, a federal advocacy effort, is reaping local results, especially in the defense sector. As the home of the F.E. Warren Air Force Base, it is vital that Cheyenne and the chamber maintain strong relationships with federal officials – and it is paying off in the form of capital improvement projects for the base, the National Guard and related businesses. “Cheyenne is a great community, very progressive,” says Steenbergen. “Our economy is strong, and we are creating an environment that high-tech companies like.” –Betsy Williams

BRIAN M C CORD

ike its city’s namesake, the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce is known as one of the fiercest fighters on the plains. The fight these days, however, is on behalf of business. “We will fight for your business, whether it’s helping get through loan processes, state regulations or military contracts,” says Dale Steenbergen, chamber president and CEO. “We are facilitating and advocating for business.” Since Steenbergen began holding the reins of the chamber in June 2007, he and his team have worked to retool the image of the chamber and initiate valueadded programs that make a difference on members’ bottom lines. “We are committed to answering the call of our individual businesses, from wherever that may come,” he says. “We’re going to support the business environment and we will go to bat for individual businesses.” Advocating for business might involve serving as the liaison between a business

Working with federal officials to support F.E. Warren Air Force Base is a key focus of the Greater Cheyenne Chamber.

I M AG E S C H E Y E N N E . C O M

CHEYENNE

Business | Economic Profile

CHEYENNE BUSINESS CLIMATE From Cheyenne’s inception in 1867, the railroad and the military have always played an important role in the town’s heritage. The city is home to large contingents of state, federal and local government and a large private–service sector based on the government economy. Public and private partnerships thrive to create an economy that is vibrant and robust.

TAXES

2% City Sales and Use Tax

4% State Sales Tax

6% Total Sales Tax

ECONOMIC RESOURCES Cheyenne LEADS One Depot Square Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 638-6000 www.cheyenneleads.org Cheyenne-Laramie County Corporation for Economic Development Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce One Depot Square Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 638-3388 www.cheyennechamber.org

BUS SERVICES

GOVERNMENT OFFICES Cheyenne City Government 2101 O’Neil Ave. Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 637-6200 www.cheyennecity.org Laramie County Government 309 W. 20th St. Cheyenne, WY 82003 (307) 633-4260 www.laramiecounty.com

Americoach of Cheyenne Cheyenne, WY 82003 (307) 635-6990 www.americoachof cheyenne.com

MORE EO ONLINE imagescheyenne.com

INDUSTRIAL SITES www.cheyenneleads.org/ business-parks Cheyenne Business Parkway: encompasses 900 acres and has direct access to Interstate 80 and easy access to nearby I-25. All utilities are in place, including high-volume natural gas, electricity and redundant fiber optics.

More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

North Range Business Park: 620 acres of land on I-80 with proximity to I-25. The facility has its own interchange onto I-80.

Respecting people. Impacting business.

Whether you’re looking for your next job or your newest employee, Express Employment Professionals is working for you.

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2205 E. Pershing Blvd. Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 632-0567

CHEYENNE

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The

West at its

Best CHEYENNE FRONTIER DAYS DRAWS THOUSANDS ANNUALLY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN McCORD

he volunteer spirit of Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cheyenne's renowned celebration known for being the largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration in the world, is impressive. Held annually since 1897, the event lasts for 10 days each year in July and brings in more than 300,000 people to Cheyenne. Four parades, held over a 20-block route, are staged during Cheyenne Frontier Days. This endeavor requires 2,000 volunteers to pull off. Most of the action is centered on Frontier Park, where wagon drivers come from all over to pull the carriages in the parade. Some of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top horse-drawn vehicles are on display each year. The recurring theme of the parade is the history of transportation. In 2009, Frontier Days will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Cheyenne fire department.

I M AG E S C H E Y E N N E . C O M

CHEYENNE

Photo Essay

CHEYENNE

I M AG E S C H E Y E N N E . C O M

Photo Essay

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CHEYENNE

I M AG E S C H E Y E N N E . C O M

Save Money. Smell the Flowers.

Looking for ways to save money on gas and help the environment? The EPA wants to share some smart driving tips that could give you more miles per gallon of gas and reduce air pollution. Tips like making sure your tires are properly inflated and replacing your air filter regularly. And where possible, accelerate and brake slowly. Be aware of your speed ... did you know that for every 5 miles you go over 65 mph, you’re spending about 20 cents more per gallon of gas? If you’re shopping for a new car, choose the cleanest, most efficient vehicle that meets your needs. If we each adopt just one of these tips, we’d get more miles for our money and it would be a little easier to smell the flowers. For more tips and to compare cleaner, more efficient vehicles, visit

www.epa.gov/greenvehicles.

I M AG E S C H E Y E N N E . C O M

CHEYENNE

BRIAN M C CORD

Education

Saint Mary’s Catholic School has constructed a new 52,000-square-foot building in Cheyenne.

Learning Capacity NEW FACILITIES, INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY GIVE CHEYENNE EDUCATIONAL EDGE

aint Mary’s Catholic School, the oldest Catholic school in Wyoming and the third ever built in the state, is continuing its more than 125 years of education in Cheyenne with the completion of a new high school. The new facility is two-stories, 52,000 square feet and accommodates approximately 350 students from pre-K through eighth grade. Attaining educational excellence at Saint Mary’s, a school already known for its academic rigor, will be enhanced by the new school building, says Saint Mary’s Principal Carol A. Ricken. “The new school will add new life and flexibility to the educational experience at Saint Mary’s,” Ricken says. “The current building served us well for many, years but with the advent of technology and pre-kindergarten education, it has been more difficult to work around the old building.” The school’s design will encourage different grades of students to learn CHEYENNE

together through the use of classroom pods that are designed around a Collaborative Learning Space. CLS provides spaces to give students across certain grade groupings a chance to do projects together. “The classroom pods give a clear sense of community for each grade level,” Ricken says. “This type of space gives flexibility to meet the individual learning styles of all students.” The school will also be equipped with wireless technology, interactive white boards, data/video projectors, a VoIP intercom with Sound Field Enhancement System and IP video stream. In addition, all students from grades three to eight will have their own personal laptops. “At any given time the entire school could be utilizing the laptops as a learning tool,” Ricken says. “The computer truly becomes a learning tool to serve the student and the learning process.” Numerous other community school projects have been in the works over the

past couple of years in Cheyenne. In fact, all over the state of Wyoming, there has been a push to modernize and renovate schools. Over the next 10 years, the School Facilities Commission of the Wyoming State Legislature will put onequarter of a billion dollars into school facilities in the state. The Cheyenne community’s receipt of funds has been based primarily on capacity issues, which ultimately led to the building and remodeling of several schools, all of which are being equipped with new-age learning tools and stateof-the-art technology like those at the new Saint Mary’s school. Best of all, the new schools provide a boost to the local economy. In addition to creating work in contracting and financing, the combination of building new schools and working on existing institutions will inevitably be a boon for the Cheyenne economy by attracting new residents. – Brandon Lowe I M AG E S C H E Y E N N E . C O M

THE W. CARLTON R ECKLING FAMILY OF COMPANIES SERVING CHEYENNE SINCE 1996

RM BV

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W. Carlton Reckling, MD 3rd Generation Wyoming Physician 800 E. 20th St., Ste. #300 Cheyenne, WY 82001 t #0/& XXX 0SUIP%PD BBPT PSH XDBSMUPOSFDLMJOH

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Health & Wellness

The Cutting Edge ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON BRINGS HIGH–TECH, HIGH TOUCH APPROACH TO CHEYENNE

n Cheyenne, the Reckling name is closely associated with medicine. Today, Dr. W. Carlton Reckling, an orthopedic surgeon whose specialties include spine surgery and computer-aided total hip and knee replacement, continues as a third-generation Wyoming physician. Reckling’s grandfather, a general practitioner, came here in the 1930s. His father, Walter E. Reckling, practiced general surgery in Cheyenne from 1965-99. “I really am a Wyoming guy,” Reckling says. “Cheyenne is my home.” Initially, Reckling wanted to be an engineer and even completed his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Northwestern in Chicago. But, by the end of his college career, he had decided the mechanics of the body interested him more. He chose to pursue a career as an orthopedic surgeon, an interest stirred by his uncle Fred Reckling, a professor in orthopedics at the University of Kansas. “Orthopedics has always been around me,” Reckling says. “Plus, there is a lot of engineering in orthopedics. It is part mechanics and part biology.” After attending medical school at Creighton in Nebraska, Reckling did his residency in Minneapolis at the University of Minnesota. One of his residency mentors recommended Reckling complete a fellowship at The Center for Spinal Surgery & Study in England. “In England, there aren’t as many orthopedic specialty centers,” Reckling says. “So the volume is higher and the severity and variety of the cases I got exposed to were much, much greater than it would have been had I done my fellowship at conventional specialty center in the U.S.” Armed with a wealth of knowledge and experience, Reckling returned to Cheyenne in 1996 to fill the need for orthopedic care in the area. He is the founder of The Spine Center and The Center for Hip and Knee Replacement. The Spine Center provides comprehensive spinal care. People come from all over the region for both surgical and nonsurgical spine treatment. Twenty-five percent of Reckling’s practice is computer-assisted hip and knee replacement. “I am pretty old-fashioned in terms of taking more time to deal with the patients. I am willing to take the time to find out CHEYENNE

where the pain is coming from,” Reckling says. “On the other side of the process, however, I am willing to push the envelope a little bit by embracing and utilizing new technologies.” As a result of that high-touch and high-tech focus, Reckling works on some of the challenging orthopedic cases that many other spinal surgeons are unwilling to do. In fact, Reckling's resume has a number of “firsts” in terms of orthopedic procedures in Wyoming. Some include lumbar disc replacement, computer-assisted hip and knee replacement and the innovative lateral fusion procedure known as XLIF. Reckling continues to perform those and other advanced procedures today. – Brandon Lowe

“I am willing to push the envelope a little bit by embracing and utilizing new technologies”

Dr. W. Carlton Reckling specializes in spine surgery and computer-aided total hip and knee replacement.

I M AG E S C H E Y E N N E . C O M

Health & Wellness

questions answers

ÂŠ2002 American Cancer Society, Inc.

8 0 0 . A C S . 2 3 4 5 / c a n c e r. o r g

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CHEYENNE

Sports & Recreation

Reaching New Heights LARAMIE COMMUNITY COLLEGE COURSE INTRODUCES STUDENTS TO ROCK CLIMBING

thing really unique that we feel great about.” The climbing course, offered once a semester, gives students all the knowledge they need to safely tackle the challenge of climbing rock faces – from the various hand-and-foot techniques to the ins and outs of equipment. The climbing course, held on weekends in the fall and spring, is open to both LCCC students and area residents. The college also offers courses in white-water rafting and kayaking. “We think it is so important to offer these kinds of courses so that people in Cheyenne can discover Vedauwoo and our other excellent outdoor resources,” Phelan says. “It's amazing what they can do in terms of accommodating a variety of different skill levels.” The rock-climbing course is not only designed to transition students to Vedauwoo, but also to help people discover the park and the joys of reaching the summit. Phelan says the classes have turned on a new generation in the Cheyenne area to the park and to rock climbing. “Many people come to love rock climbing for the physically and mentally demanding nature of the process,” Phelan says. “It opens them up to things they thought they couldn’t do.” – Brandon Lowe

BRIAN M C CORD

hen it comes to sports and recreation in Cheyenne, Vedauwoo reigns supreme. Vedauwoo, pronounced vee-da-voo, is one of the most cherished rocky outcrops in the American West. Located inside the Medicine Bow – Routt National Forest, just 20 miles west of Cheyenne, Vedauwoo bosts 100,000 square miles of parkland that invite an array of outdoor activities that range from mountain biking to cross-country skiing. But perhaps no Vedauwoo activity is more popular than rock climbing. Climbers from all over the world come to find some of the best wide-crack climbs, or “offwidths,” known to man. Vedauwoo’s 1.4 billion-year-old Sherman Granite contains more than 900 climbing routes. As a result of Vedauwoo's proximity, rock climbing instructors and retail shops abound in the general Cheyenne vicinity. There is also a host of indoor rock walls that serve as training facilities to develop the skills to take on Vedauwoo. “People come from all over to climb Vedauwoo,” says Joe Phelan, coordinator of physical education at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne. Rock climbing is such a big deal in Cheyenne that the college offers a special 8-week course on the subject. “Our rock climbing program is some-

Located about 20 miles west of Cheyenne, Vedauwoo is a popular climbing area and a hot spot for other activities.

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Arts & Culture

BRIAN M C CORD

Cheyenne’s C.J. Box wrote the New York Times best seller, Blue Heaven.

Author! Author! C.J. BOX BUILDS NATIONAL FOLLOWING

heyenne author C.J. Box has written 11 novels and is best known for his award-winning Joe Pickett series featuring a Wyoming game warden who is consistently put into precarious situations. The best-selling novels, which have been translated into 17 languages, have paved the way for Box to build a serious career as a novelist, all from the friendly confines of Cheyenne. CHEYENNE

“One thing that has been wonderful is how people of Wyoming have embraced the books,” Box says. “People are proud of them because they are set in and around Wyoming. It’s been fun around here for people.” Born in Casper, Box’s life in Wyoming has shaped the setting and characters of his novels. In addition to his time spent as a novel and short-story author and a newspaper journalist, Box has

worked as a ranch hand, surveyor and fishing guide. Box and his wife, Laurie, moved to Cheyenne from Saratoga more than 23 years ago. They have since raised a family, including three daughters, Molly, Becky and Roxanne. “I think living in Cheyenne gives me a huge advantage,” Box says. “It is important to be normal. I can live here and interact with people, which is really important to the books. Anybody that picks up the books, no matter where they are from, gets a sense of authenticity.” Box’s breakout novel, Blue Heaven, was set outside of the Joe Pickett series and delivers a breathtaking thrill ride of a read. The book was validation, says Box, for the hard work he has put into his publishing career. The book was so well received that Hollywood producers have optioned the book for a feature film by the same name. “They got a screenplay done and are in the process of putting the pieces together,” Box says. “There’s definitely a project, but these things move kind of slowly sometimes.” Box’s new book, Three Weeks to Say Goodbye, will come out in early 2009. Set in Denver, the novel, like Blue Heaven, is a stand-alone book. Box describes it as a “dark thriller.” Box says he will continue to write books outside of the Joe Pickett series and is currently on track to produce two novels each year. That Cheyenne is home to a bestselling author who draws inspiration from his surroundings is a testament to the great appeal of the Cheyenne community. And with one of the most celebrated new libraries in the country, the cultured community of Cheyenne will likely continue to be a home for writers, artists and creative thinkers of all kinds. “We are not leaving Wyoming,” Box says. “We will stay rooted in Cheyenne.” – Brandon Lowe I M AG E S C H E Y E N N E . C O M

Community Profile

CHEYENNE SNAPSHOT Cheyenne is the capital of Wyoming, the seat of Laramie County and the site of Francis E. Warren Air Force Base. Clean air, little traffic congestion, affordable housing, low taxes and cost of living, good schools, recreational and cultural activities and quality health care make Cheyenne a good community in which to live.

MEDICAL SERVICES OVERVIEW

CLIMATE OVERVIEW Bathed in sunshine and clear blue skies 327 days a year, the city experiences 52 inches of annual snowfall, which quickly melts away in the sun’s warm rays.

15 F January Low Temperature

37 F January High Temperature

53 F July Low Temperature

82 F July High Temperature

EDUCATIONAL OVERVIEW Wyoming’s commitment to education creates one of the highest high–school graduation rates in the United States. The New York Times has listed the University of Wyoming as one of the nation’s 10 best buys in colleges, and the Carnegie Foundation ranks it among the top 100 research universities in the United States.

CHEYENNE

As a magnet for health–care professionals, Cheyenne enjoys one of the highest percentages of board-certified physicians in the nation. Cheyenne Regional Medical Center acts as the regional referral center for cardiac care and cancer treatment.

ARTS AND CULTURE Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra 1904 Thomes Ave. (307) 778-8561 www.cheyennesymphony.org Cheyenne Little Theatre 2706 E. Pershing Blvd. (307) 638-6543 www.cheyennelittletheatre.org Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum 4610 Carey Ave. (307) 778-7290 www.oldwestmuseum.org Cheyenne Depot Museum 121 W. 15th St. (307) 632-3905 www.cheyennedepot museum.org

Wyoming State Museum 2301 Central Ave. (307) 777-7022 www.wyomuseum.state.wy.us Cheyenne Civic Center 2101 O’Neil Ave. (307) 637-6363 www.cheyenneciviccenter.org Recreation Activities Cheyenne Frontier Days (307) 778-7222 (800) 227-6336 www.cfdrodeo.com Wyoming Dept. of State Parks & Cultural Resources (307) 777-7496 www.wyospcr.state.wy.us Bit-O-Wyo Ranch Trail Rides (307) 638-6924 www.bitowyoranch.com

HOUSING COST

$170,240 Average Home Price

21.88% Home Turnover Percentage

MORE EO ONLINE imagescheyenne.com m More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

I M AG E S C H E Y E N N E . C O M

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES United Way of Laramie County (307) 638-8904 www.unitedwayoflaramie county.org Laramie County Habitat for Humanity (307) 637-8067 www.cheyennehabitat.org

/FFERING YOU s 3MART $EPOSIT !CCOUNTS s 3MART ,OAN 0RODUCTS s 3MART "USINESS ,OANS s 3MART -ORTGAGES AND MORE x FOR THE 3MART BANKER IN YOU

COMMUNITY RESOURCES Laramie County Library System 2200 Pioneer Ave. Cheyenne, WY 82001-3610 (307) 634-3561 www.lclsonline.org Laramie County Health Department 100 Central Ave. Cheyenne, WY 82007 (307) 633-4000 www.laramiecounty.com

(800) 442-2392 3TILLWATER !VE s #HEYENNE 79

www.WyHy.org Can you imagine â&#x20AC;Ś a world without children?

We Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. Call 1-800-996-4100 to help. www.stjude.org

Wyoming Department of Transportation Driver Services 5300 Bishop Blvd. Cheyenne, WY 82009-3340, (307) 777-4800 www.dot.state.wy.us Laramie County Treasurer 309 W. 20th St., Rm 1400 Cheyenne, WY 82003, (307) 633-4232 www.laramiecounty.com Laramie County Clerk 309 W. 20th St., P.O. Box 608 Cheyenne, WY 82003 (307) 633-4250 www.laramiecountyclerk.com

GOVERNMENT OFFICES Cheyenne City Government 2101 Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neil Ave. Cheyenne, WY 82001-3512 (307) 637-6200 www.cheyennecity.org

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CHEYENNE

Community Profile Laramie County Government 309 W. 20th St. P.O. Box 608 Cheyenne, WY 82003 (307) 633-4260 www.laramiecounty.com

SENIOR RESOURCES State of Wyoming Aging Division 6101 N. Yellowstone Rd., Ste. 259B Cheyenne, WY 82002 (307) 777-7986 wdh.state.wy.us/aging/ index.html

MEDICAL FACILITIES

TRANSPORTATION

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center 214 E. 23rd St. Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 634-2273 www.crmcwy.org

Cheyenne Regional Airport 200 E. 8th Ave. Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 634-7071 www.cheyenneairport.com

Veterans Administration Medical Center 2326 E. Pershing Blvd. Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 775-7550 www.visn19.va.gov

Located just north of downtown Cheyenne, this airport offers daily flights to Denver International Airport.

Life Care Center of Cheyenne 1330 Prairie Ave. Cheyenne, WY 82009 (307) 778-8997, www.lcca.com

Denver International Airport 8500 Pena Blvd. Denver, CO 80249-6340 (303) 342-2000 www.flydenver.com

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES Laramie County School District 1 2810 House Ave. Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 771-2100 www.laramie1.org Laramie County Community College 1400 E. College Dr. Cheyenne, WY 82007 (307) 778-5222 (800) 522-2993 www.lccc.cc.wy.us St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School 112 E. 24th St. Cheyenne, WY 82001-3124 (307) 638-9268 stmarys.k12.wy.us University of Wyoming Southeast Region 1400 E. College Dr. Cheyenne, WY 82007 (307) 632-8949 www.uwyo.edu Noah Webster Christian School P.O. Box 21239 Cheyenne, WY 82003 (307) 635-2175 Trinity Lutheran School 1111 E. 22nd St. Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 635-2802 First Assembly Christian Academy P.O. Box 546 Cheyenne, WY 82003 (307) 635-3759

CHEYENNE

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Denver International Airport is conveniently located only 90 minutes south of Cheyenne by car. To drive to Cheyenne from Denver International, take tollroad E-470 north to I-25. Exit north on I-25 north to Cheyenne. Cheyenne Transit (307) 637-6253 www.cheyennecity.org Bus services Americoach of Cheyenne P.O. Box 21243 Cheyenne, WY 82003 (307) 635-6990 www.americoachof cheyenne.com

ECONOMIC RESOURCES Cheyenne LEADS Cheyenne-Laramie County Corporation for Economic Development One Depot Sq., 121 W. 15th St., Ste. 304 Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 638-6000 www.cheyenneleads.org Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce

Treat Yourself

One Depot Sq. 121 W. 15th St., Ste. 204 Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 638-3388 www.cheyennechamber.org

CITY SALES AND USE TAX

2% City Sales Tax

4% State Sales Tax

6% Total Sales Tax

.74% Residential Property Tax

U.S. Census Bureau, www.census.gov Tax Information Link http://revenue.state.wy.us Property Tax Link http://webgate.co. laramie.wy.us/departments /treasurer

to the latest fashions.

Site Selection Link http://cheyenneleads.org/ business-parks/

Enjoy tasty places to dine with loads of atmosphere, or shop â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;til you drop and kick back and take in the latest ďŹ&#x201A;ick! Just have a good time! Be sure to pick up a few gift cards at the mall ofďŹ ce, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the perfect gift!

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I M AG E S C H E Y E N N E . C O M

CHEYENNE

Community Profile POPULATION

86,353 County Population

55,314 City Population

CITY LINK www.cheyennecity.org CVB Calendar Link www.cheyenne.org/events/ index.cfm CVB Restaurant Link www.cheyenne.org/listings

REAL ESTATE OVERVIEW Cheyenne offers a variety of affordable housing options to suit most tastes and budgets.

DINING Dining in Cheyenne www.cheyenne.org/listings Cheyenne offers a wide variety of local eateries to choose from.

MEDIA OUTLETS Wyoming Tribune-Eagle 702 W. Lincolnway Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 634-3361 www.wyomingnews.com KGWN 5 CBS 2923 E. Lincolnway Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 634-7755 www.kgwn.tv KLWY 27 FOX 2220 Delrange Blvd., Ste. 101 Cheyenne, WY 82009

COLLEGES

Also featuring home accents and window treatments

1 2â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Year Colleges

4,426

Carpet One Commercial Flooring & 1FSTIJOH #MWE t $IFZFOOF 8: t www.carpetone.com

2â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Year Colleges Student Total

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American National Bank www.anbbank.com Brooks Realty & Advisory Group www.cheyennewyomingland.com Candlewood Suites www.candlewoodsuites.com Carpet One Commercial Flooring www.carpetone.com Century 21 Bell â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cathy Connell www.century21bell.com Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce www.cheyennechamber.org Cheyenne Frontier Days www.cfdrodeo.com Cheyenne Light Fuel & Power www.cheyennelight.com Cheyenne Regional Airport www.cheyenneairport.com Cheyenne Regional Medical Center www.crmcwy.org City of Cheyenne www.cheyennecity.org Express Employment Professionals www.expresspros.com Frontier Mall www.frontiermall.com Guardian Companies www.cheyennedreamhomes.com Internal Medicine Group www.imgwy.com Laramie County Community College www.lccc.wy.edu Life Care Center of Cheyenne www.lcca.com/cheyenne S&S Builders LLC www.ssbuildersllc.com The Historic Plains Hotel www.theplainshotel.com The Property Exchange www.propertyex.com W. Carlton Reckling MD Wells Fargo www.wellsfargo.com Western Vista Federal Credit Union www.wvista.com WyHy Federal Credit Union www.wyhy.org Wyoming Home www.wyominghome.com Wyoming State Bank www.wyomingstatebank.com

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CHEYENNE MANAGING EDITOR KIM MADLOM COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS ASSOCIATE EDITORS LISA BATTLES, JESSY YANCEY ONLINE CONTENT MANAGER MATT BIGELOW STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN, KEVIN LITWIN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DANNY BONVISSUTO, PAMELA COYLE, MICHAEL KELLY, BRANDON LOWE, BETSY WILLIAMS

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DATA MANAGER RANETTA SMITH SENIOR INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER JAREK SWEKOSKY SALES SUPPORT MANAGER SARA SARTIN SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN McCORD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS, TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, IAN CURCIO, J. KYLE KEENER PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT ANNE WHITLOW CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS WEB DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR BRIAN SMITH ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN PRODUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS MELISSA BRACEWELL, KATIE MIDDENDORF, JILL WYATT SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER, KRIS SEXTON, CANDICE SWEET, VIKKI WILLIAMS LEAD DESIGNER ALISON HUNTER GRAPHIC DESIGN ERICA HINES, JESSICA MANNER, JANINE MARYLAND, AMY NELSON, MARCUS SNYDER WEB PROJECT MANAGERS ANDY HARTLEY, YAMEL RUIZ WEB DESIGN LEAD FRANCO SCARAMUZZA WEB DESIGN RYAN DUNLAP, CARL SCHULZ WEB PRODUCTION JENNIFER GRAVES COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN TWILA ALLEN AD TRAFFIC JESSICA CHILDS, MARCIA MILLAR, PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY

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3430 E. Grand Ave. Laramie, WY 82070 (307) 721-9100

1525 E. Pershing Blvd. Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 637-7333

5538 Yellowstone Rd. Cheyenne, WY 82009 (307) 634-3304

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN SR. V.P./OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER V.P./SALES HERB HARPER

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V.P./SALES TODD POTTER V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER V.P./TRAVEL PUBLISHING SYBIL STEWART V.P./EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TEREE CARUTHERS MANAGING EDITOR/BUSINESS BILL McMEEKIN MANAGING EDITOR/CUSTOM KIM NEWSOM MANAGING EDITOR/TRAVEL SUSAN CHAPPELL PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NATASHA LORENS PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY ACCOUNTING MORIAH DOMBY, DIANA GUZMAN, MARIA McFARLAND, LISA OWENS RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY WALDRIP DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR YANCEY TURTURICE NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR JAMES SCOLLARD IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE CUSTOM/TRAVEL SALES SUPPORT RACHAEL GOLDSBERRY SALES/MARKETING COORDINATOR RACHEL MATHEIS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY/SALES SUPPORT KRISTY DUNCAN OFFICE MANAGER SHELLY GRISSOM RECEPTIONIST LINDA BISHOP

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Images Cheyenne is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce 121 West 15th Street, Suite 204 • Cheyenne, WY 82001 Phone: (307) 638-3388 • Fax: (307) 778-1407 www.cheyennechamber.org VISIT IMAGES CHEYENNE ONLINE AT IMAGESCHEYENNE.COM ©Copyright 2009 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member

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Ad Index

41 American National Bank

60 Frontier Mall

35 Brooks Realty & Advisory Group

C4 Guardian Companies

61 Carpet One Commercial Flooring

33 Century 21 Bell â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cathy Connell

64 Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce

63 Cheyenne Light Fuel & Power

34 Cheyenne Regional Airport

52 Cheyenne Regional Medical Center

1 City of Cheyenne 43 Express Employment Professionals

6 Internal Medicine Group

C2 Laramie County Community College

59 Life Care Center of Cheyenne

54 S&S Builders LLC

7 Cheyenne Frontier Days

2 Candlewood Suites

4 The Historic Plains Hotel

62 The Property Exchange

50 W. Carlton Reckling MD

62 Wells Fargo

48 Western Vista Federal Credit Union

58 WyHy Federal Credit Union

56 Wyoming Home

63 Wyoming State Bank

Working Together

for the Community

Cheyenne Area Convention and Visitors Bureau 121 West 15th Street, Suite 202 Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001 r XXX DIFZFOOF PSH

Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce 121 West 15th Street, Suite 204 Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001 XXX DIFZFOOFDIBNCFS PSH

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