LANDER, Wyo. – Feb. 10, 2026 – The Wyoming State Trails Program, part of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, invites motorized recreationists to join them in a multi-day, cross-Wyoming trek from Evanston, WY, to Cheyenne, WY, July 1-4, 2026. 

“The Wyoming State Trails Program, and our dedicated partners, are honored to announce the launch of a first-of-its-kind, organized, long-distance ride across the state,” stated Forrest Kamminga, State Trails Program manager. “This exciting event is the culmination of several years of hard work developing long-distance Off-Road Vehicle routes across Wyoming.”

The event was proposed by Sweetwater County Senator Stacy Jones, a member of the Wyoming Legislature’s Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources (TRWCR) committee. The event was developed through the efforts of the Wyoming State Trails Program and the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation, in collaboration with Southwest Wyoming Off-road Trails (SWOT), the Wyoming Trails Alliance, and the Sweetwater Snowpokes Snowmobile and ATV Club.

Participants are welcome to caravan via side-by-sides, ATVs, dirt bikes, and other motorized machines through Wyoming for three days leading up to America’s 250th celebration. 

The multi-day excursion will include the following stops per day:

• July 1, 2026: Starting in Evanston, WY, and ending in Rock Springs, WY
• July 2, 2026: Starting in Rock Springs, WY, and ending in Saratoga, WY
• July 3, 2026: Starting in Saratoga, WY, and ending in Laramie, WY
• July 4, 2026: Starting in Laramie, WY, and ending in Cheyenne, WY

The route will be established on mostly dirt roads, with some paved sections. Cell service will be limited throughout the trip. 

“The plan isn’t for this to be a one-time experience; we’re looking forward to riders using this trail for years to come,” shared Mark Tesoro, manager for the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation. “Motorized recreation is one of the many ways to experience Wyoming’s best assets; hop on your side-by-side, ATV, or dirt bike and join us.”

All participants must bring their own machine, and participating machines must be license-plated. Riders are expected to be self-sufficient; come prepared with the minimum street legal equipment, tools, fuel, food, water, and camping supplies for emergencies.

Room blocks will be established at the identified stopping locations each night; participants may book a room through these blocks or arrange their own lodging. 

Capacity for this experience is 50 machines; all interested parties must register at wyorec.info/250thRideRegistration by March 1, 2026. Registration may close earlier if capacity is met before the deadline. Registration is $100/person, non-refundable, and all fees will be collected by the Sweetwater Snowpokes Snowmobile and ATV Club. 

Upon arrival in Cheyenne, WY, participants may enjoy the festivities around the Capitol and city at their leisure. 

To learn more about this experience, refer all questions to Forrest Kamminga via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or by phone at (307) 335-2671. 

Figure 1: Participants ride ATVs and UTVs along designated routes during an annual off-road event near Mountain View, Wyoming. Image courtesy of Southwest Wyoming Off-Road Trails.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Feb. 9, 2026 – The Wyoming Arts Council is now accepting applications for Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grants. Applications are due April 6, 2026.

The grant supports master artists in folk and traditional art forms as they pass on knowledge and skills to apprentices within their communities through in-person, hands-on instruction. Mentors work with apprentices over time to advance skills in a specific traditional art form.

Funded projects must take place between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027, and span a minimum of six months. Each selected project will receive $5,000, including $4,000 for the mentor artist honorarium and $1,000 for materials and or travel. Applications must be completed jointly by the mentor artist and apprentice. Up to five projects will be selected through a panel review process.

“We’re excited to support artists across Wyoming who are working to sustain traditional arts within their communities,” said Josh Chrysler of the Wyoming Arts Council. “If you are interested in teaching or learning a traditional art form and have questions about the program or application process, we encourage you to reach out.”

Recent grant recipients have represented a wide range of traditional art forms, including Mexican ballet folklórico, rawhide braiding, beadworking, regalia making, and fly rod making.

The application is available online at forms.gle/8WEmuJaX5PxEYTVW8, or applicants may contact the Wyoming Arts Council to request a paper copy.

For more information, contact Folklorist & Health and Wellness Specialist, Josh Chrysler, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (307) 256-2010. Additional details are available under the Grants tab at wyomingartscouncil.org.

Figure 1: Mentor artist Lisa Sherrodd teaches Paige Gustafson, both of Laramie, the traditional art of Swedish dalmålning through the Wyoming Arts Council’s Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grant program.

Contact: Josh Chrysler, (307) 256-2010; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Feb. 9, 2026 –  The Department of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) and the Wyoming State Archives (WSA) have received approval from the Governor's Office for an Email Management Policy designed to reduce costs and improve records compliance across state government. Following successful pilot projects at ETS and the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR), the policy will now be implemented statewide.

The policy, which also received the Attorney General's Office approval, establishes a four-tier retention system based on employee job functions, ensuring that email is treated the same as any other paper records and other digital files while complying with Wyoming statutes.

Four-Tier Retention Framework

The policy establishes clear retention periods based on position function levels:

• Level 1 - General State Staff: 5 years after departure (administrative tasks, internal communications)
• Level 2 - Fiscal State Staff: 8 years after departure (financial records, budget communications)
• Level 3 - Administrative State Staff: 10 years after departure (operational activities, project management)
• Level 4 - Legal, Compliance, and Executive Staff: Permanent retention (legal matters, executive decisions, historical records)

Multi-Layered Review Protects Critical Records

Before any email account is destroyed, a comprehensive review process ensures valuable records are preserved. Agency Records Officers, Human Resources staff, and State Archives personnel evaluate accounts, with the State Archivist —and in some cases, the Wyoming State Records Committee—approving all destruction requests. Records related to ongoing litigation are protected regardless of standard retention periods.

Key Benefits for Wyoming Taxpayers

• Cost Reduction: Systematic deletion of emails that have exceeded retention requirements eliminates unnecessary storage costs and frees email licenses for reuse, reducing the number of new licenses the state must purchase.
• Operational Efficiency: Clear protocols reduce staff time spent managing email retention, allowing employees to focus on core responsibilities.
• Standardization: Ensures emails follow the same retention schedules as paper records and other digital files.
• Simplified Compliance: Provides clear guidance that makes compliance easier for state agencies.

"This policy doesn't change our records retention requirements—it provides transparency and clear processes for applying existing standards to email," explained Sara Davis, Wyoming State Archivist. "Agencies will find compliance easier, not more complicated."

Addressing the Email Challenge

Wyoming law (W.S. 9-2-401(a)(v)) defines public records by their content and business purpose, not their format. However, email systems have accumulated decades of messages that have exceeded their retention periods but remain in storage due to a lack of clear management protocols. This policy provides the systematic framework for efficiently managing email while ensuring compliance.

Comprehensive Scope and Clear Responsibilities

The policy covers Google-related digital resources–including email, calendars, instant messaging, and shared drives–for all state employees, contractors, and temporary staff. It establishes specific responsibilities for employees, agency records officers, human resources departments, the State Archives, and ETS.

Legal Safeguards

• Litigation holds protect records related to ongoing legal matters
• Written exceptions process for special circumstances
• Annual policy review to reflect changing requirements
• Attorney General approval required for litigation-related destruction

Alignment with National Standards

Wyoming's approach aligns with the National Archives and Records Administration's Capstone Method, which federal agencies use successfully to manage executive branch email records.

Implementation and Training

Statewide implementation begins immediately with comprehensive support:

• Training Sessions: The Records Management Unit of the Wyoming State Archives will provide informational sessions for agency records coordinators
• Technical Configuration: ETS will configure systems to support the retention framework
• Ongoing Support: Agencies will receive continued assistance to ensure a smooth transition to standardized email management practices

Pilot Project Validated Effectiveness

Pilot projects at ETS and SPCR demonstrated the policy's effectiveness, validated the four-tier retention framework, and identified best practices that informed final policy development.

"Our goal is twofold," Davis noted. "Eliminate unnecessary costs while ensuring emails documenting Wyoming's governmental history are permanently preserved. This policy achieves both objectives through a thoughtful, systematic approach."

Free Informational Sessions

State agencies seeking more information about the Email Management Policy are welcome to attend free informational sessions hosted by State Archives staff. Sessions will be held online:

• Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 9 a.m.
• Friday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 20 at 10 a.m.

To Join

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/hgt-ybuc-reb

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 347-201-6875‬ PIN: ‪645 315 231‬#

For more information

Contact Carmen Clayton, Supervisor of the Wyoming State Archives Records Management Unit, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit the Events page at wyoarchives.wyo.gov/index.php/about-archives/events. 

Access to Full Policy

The complete Email Management Policy is available online at wyoarchives.wyo.gov/index.php/record-retention-schedules/361-schedules.

About the Wyoming State Archives

The Wyoming State Archives preserves state public records with long-term administrative, legal, and historical value, assists agencies with records management, and provides public access to historical records. Visit wyoarchives.wyo.gov.

About the Department of Enterprise Technology Services

ETS provides comprehensive technology solutions to Wyoming state government, including network infrastructure, cybersecurity, data center operations, and enterprise applications.

Contact: Sara Davis, (307) 777-7826; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Feb. 6, 2026 – The Wyoming Arts Council will host the state finals for two student poetry programs, Poetry Out Loud and Poetry Ourselves, on March 1 and 2 in Cheyenne. Both events are free and open to the public and will showcase the voices and creative achievements of high school students from across Wyoming.

The Poetry Ourselves State Finals Competition will take place Sunday, March 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Laramie County Library’s Cottonwood Room, 2200 Pioneer Ave. Poetry Ourselves is a Wyoming-specific program that recognizes literary achievement among students in grades 9–12 attending public, private, or home schools. The competition includes spoken and written word categories featuring original student work.

Following the judged portion of the event, the microphone will be open to students, educators, and community members who wish to share original poetry or a favorite poem. Participants are encouraged to be mindful of the audience and to provide a content warning when appropriate.

The Poetry Out Loud State Finals Competition will be held Monday, March 2, at 10 a.m. at the Lincoln Auditorium, 1615 Central Ave. Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation and memorization program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. The program is designed for students in grades 9–12 and supports language arts education through the study and performance of poetry.

Students advance to the state finals after competing at the classroom and school levels. Each school champion will recite three poems across three competition rounds. Wyoming’s Poetry Out Loud state champion will advance to the national finals in Washington, D.C., later this spring.

For more information, contact Ismael Dominguez, programs specialist with the Wyoming Arts Council, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Additional information is available at wyomingartscouncil.org.

Figure 1: Students participating in Poetry Out Loud and Poetry Ourselves pose with Gov. Mark Gordon at the 2025 Poetry Out Loud Awards Banquet.

Figure 2: Kadence Aagard of Worland High School recites an original poem at the 2025 Poetry Ourselves event.

Contact: Ismael Dominguez, (307) 475-4476; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Feb. 6, 2026 – As cultural institutions face rising costs and the ever-growing needs of their collection, finding archival-safe creative storage solutions is essential to the long-term preservation of Wyoming’s history.

In this month’s Quick Tips session, the Wyoming State Archives’ Roving Archivist, Morgan Stence, will provide guidance on what to look for, the pros and cons of certain containers, and budget-friendly alternatives for cultural institutions.

Join us Thursday, Feb. 19, at 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. via Google Meet at meet.google.com/bgr-reit-tkr or dial (US) +1 319-449-2718, PIN: 581 688 137#.

“Anything but a Box” is designed to provide staff and volunteers at museums, libraries, and archives statewide with practical knowledge needed to protect Wyoming’s history using a wider range of materials. This session will highlight how institutions can adapt their collection care practices to address urgent matters.

“Sometimes a cultural institution just doesn’t have it in the budget to get everything their collections need, so they need to make compromises in order to address larger issues,” said Stence. “If this session can help in making the compromise easier, then maybe the collections staff can rest assured that they are making the right call.”

Attendees will learn:

●   Archival and museum standard for storage;

●   Criteria to check against when selecting materials;

●   Budgetary options to the Hollinger Box; and,

●   How to determine when a Hollinger Box is a necessity.

Supporting Wyoming's Cultural Heritage Mission

The Roving Archivist Program Quick Tips series represents SHRAB's ongoing commitment to providing accessible professional development for Wyoming's cultural heritage community. These sessions support institutions statewide in improving their preservation practices and collections care.

For more information about the Roving Archivist Program, visit rovingarchivist.wyo.gov/home or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About Wyoming SHRAB

The Wyoming SHRAB promotes identification, preservation, and dissemination of the state's historical records by supporting training programs for state, tribal, and local governments, repositories, and organizations involved in records care throughout Wyoming. Grants are made available through Wyoming SHRAB by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and administered by the Wyoming State Archives, Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources.

For more information, please contact Wyoming State Archivist Sara Davis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the WSA at (307) 777-7826. You can also learn more about the Wyoming State Archives at wyoarchives.wyo.gov.

Contact: Morgan Stence, (307) 777-7550; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Feb. 4, 2026 – The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources honors the life and legacy of Geraldine “Jerre” Ophelia Gowdy, who passed away Jan. 27, 2026, at the age of 101, and recognizes the enduring contributions of the Gowdy family to Curt Gowdy State Park.

Jerre Gowdy, the late broadcaster and Wyoming native Curt Gowdy's wife, was a devoted philanthropist whose vision, generosity, and commitment helped shape Curt Gowdy State Park into a welcoming and inspiring place for visitors of all ages. For more than five decades, the Gowdy family has worked in close partnership with Wyoming State Parks, the Wyoming Legislature, and private partners to support meaningful park enhancements that reflect Curt Gowdy’s deep love for Wyoming and the outdoors.

Among the family’s most significant contributions are the park’s visitor center, iconic entry archway, and the creation of Little House on the Park, a one-of-a-kind children’s space designed to inspire kindness, curiosity, and a lifelong connection to nature. Little House opened in 2023 and was dedicated in 2024 as a family legacy honoring Curt and Jerre Gowdy.

In 2013, Jerre Gowdy and her daughter, Cheryl Gowdy, established the Curt Gowdy State Park Family Fund to ensure continued stewardship and support of the park for future generations.

“The Gowdy family’s impact on Curt Gowdy State Park is profound and lasting,” said Nick Neylon, deputy director of Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources. “Jerre’s life of service and the family’s continued commitment embody the spirit of generosity, community, and outdoor appreciation that Wyoming State Parks strives to foster statewide.”

Wyoming State Parks extends its condolences to the Gowdy family and expresses deep gratitude for their extraordinary partnership and dedication to preserving one of Wyoming’s beloved state parks.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Curt Gowdy State Park Family Fund through the Wyoming Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, at 1472 N. 5th St., Suite 201, Laramie, WY 82072.

Figure 1: Geraldine “Jerre” Ophelia Gowdy of Boston and Palm Beach, Fla., passes at 101, January 27, 2026. Figure 2: Curt Gowdy State Park's visitor center and entry archway were made possible through the support of the Gowdy family and continue to welcome visitors to the park. Figure 3: Little House on the Park opened in 2023 and was dedicated in 2024 in honor of Curt and Jerre Gowdy.Figure 4: Jerre Gowdy (left) and Cheryl Gowdy (right) stand at the center of the ribbon cutting during the opening of Little House on the Park, joined by family members, community leaders, and partners.

Contact: Nick Neylon, (307) 431-4866; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Feb. 4, 2026 – The Wyoming Arts Council has named John Clayton of Red Lodge, Montana, as the recipient of the 2026 Pattie Layser Greater Yellowstone Creative Writing and Journalism Fellowship for his submission, “Yellowstone’s Greatest Art.”

Honorable mentions were awarded to Shawnee Real Bird of Busby, Montana, for “Horse Across Way,” and Brian Beauvais of Cody, Wyoming, for “Sportsmen, Market Hunters, and Game Hogs.”

The Pattie Layser Greater Yellowstone Creative Writing and Journalism Fellowship is made possible through generous support from the Pattie and Earle Layser Memorial Fund. The annual fellowship recognizes a creative writer or journalist whose work demonstrates serious inquiry and dedication to the Greater Yellowstone region. Eligible disciplines include poetry, fiction, nonfiction, journalism, photojournalism, videography, documentary filmmaking, and print or online media.

Clayton is the author of Wonderlandscape: Yellowstone National Park and the Evolution of an American Cultural Icon, which will be reissued in paperback in early 2026. As part of the fellowship, Clayton will complete his project, “Yellowstone’s Greatest Art,” which will support research for his forthcoming book, The Auto-Biography of Yellowstone: How Cars Continually Transform America’s Natural Treasure, scheduled for publication by Bison Books in 2027. Additionally, he will have the opportunity to participate in a housing residency in the region.

His previous works include The Cowboy Girl, Stories from Montana’s Enduring Frontier, and Natural Rivals. Clayton is a regular contributor to Mountain Journal, Big Sky Journal, Montana Quarterly, and WyoHistory.org, and he publishes a weekly email newsletter, Natural Stories. He has lived full-time in the Greater Yellowstone region since 1990.

Jurors for the 2026 Pattie Layser Greater Yellowstone Creative Writing and Journalism Fellowship were Kim Barnes and Steven Coughlin.

For more information about the fellowship, visit wyomingartscouncil.org or contact Kimberly Mittelstadt, creative arts specialist at the Wyoming Arts Council, at (307) 274-6673 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Figure 1: John Clayton of Red Lodge, Montana, is the recipient of the 2026 Pattie Layser Greater Yellowstone Creative Writing and Journalism Fellowship.

Contact: Kimberly Mittelstadt, (307) 274-6673; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LANDER, Wyo. – Feb. 3, 2026 – The Wyoming State Trails Program is issuing a safety alert and urging the public to exercise caution this winter snowmobile season. The season has tragically begun with a concerning number of fatalities, underscoring the hazards currently present on trails across the state.

"We have already had four snowmobile-related fatalities in the State this season, and that is four too many," stated Forrest Kamminga, the State Trails Program manager. "While many of our high-elevation snowmobile trail systems are officially open for business, the conditions are far less than desirable. Riders are going to encounter extremely icy and hard-packed snow conditions that significantly compromise the control of their snowmobiles."

The Current Danger: Hard and Icy Conditions

A severe lack of significant snowfall across most of Wyoming for nearly a month has resulted in a hard, frozen, and icy base layer on most established trail systems. This lack of fresh powder fundamentally changes the physics of operating a snowmobile, making machines much harder to control, steer, and stop.

• Compromised Control: Accelerating, cornering, and braking performance are all severely degraded by the hard, icy surface. What would be a manageable speed on fresh snow can become dangerously fast on ice.
• The Downhill Hazard: The loss of traction is magnified on downhill sections. The combination of speed, ice, and gravity significantly increases the risk of loss of control, potentially leading to rapid instability and serious accidents.
• Encouragement with a Caveat: We encourage everyone to still get out and enjoy the unique Wyoming snowmobile experience, but this must be done with the utmost caution and awareness of the drastically altered trail conditions.

Hidden Hazards: The Risk of Low Snow Cover

The limited snow depth is creating a significant secondary risk: barely covered-up hazards both on and immediately off the trail system.

• Subsurface Dangers: Riders must be acutely aware of objects lying just beneath the snow's surface. Running into a rock, a jagged stump, or fallen timber that is only thinly covered can result in severe personal injury and major, often catastrophic, damage to the snowmobile.
• Assume the risk: Encountering these subsurface hazards increases exponentially when traveling off the established, packed trail because of insufficient snow cover.

A Call for Responsible Riding

The Wyoming State Trails Program is encouraging all riders to adjust their behavior and riding style to match the current dangerous conditions.

• Please Slow Down: Reduced speed is the single most effective way to regain a manageable level of control on hard, icy trails. Give yourself significantly more distance and time to react and stop.
• Scale Back the Ride: Consider adjusting the planned route or ride duration to a more conservative, manageable level. This may mean choosing less ambitious terrain or shorter trips until conditions improve.
• Prioritize Safety: The goal of every outing should be to return home safely with a positive Wyoming snowmobile experience to share, not to push the limits of speed or machine capability in dangerous conditions.

Snowmobiling is a beloved winter tradition in Wyoming, and the State Trails Program wants everyone to enjoy it safely. Until significant snowfall softens and deepens the trails, riders must assume that every turn and every descent poses an elevated risk. Your vigilance can save lives.

Learn more about the Wyoming State Trails Program at wyoparks.wyo.gov. 

Figure 1: The Wyoming State Trails Program is issuing a safety alert and urging the public to exercise caution this winter snowmobile season.

Contacts: 

Forrest Kamminga, (307) 335-2671; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

State Trails Field Office, (307) 335-8229; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

MOORCROFT, Wyo. – Feb. 3, 2026 – The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources reminds the public that the online survey related to the proposed projects at Keyhole State Park will close at midnight on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.

The survey follows a public forum held in January and provides an opportunity for park users, local residents, and stakeholders to review project information and share feedback if they were unable to attend the meeting in person.

“Public input is an important part of our planning process,” said Carly-Ann Carruthers, planning manager for the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. “We encourage anyone who has not yet shared their thoughts to take a few minutes to complete the survey before it closes.”

Presentation materials from the public forum and the online survey are available at Bit.ly/WYPublicForum. All comments must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.

The proposed Coulter Bay Visitor Center is intended to enhance recreation and educational opportunities at Keyhole State Park by providing improved visitor services, interpretive exhibits, and a community gathering space, while serving as a launch point for park recreation.

“It’s important that this facility reflects the expectations and needs of the people who use and care about Keyhole State Park,” said Misty Moore, district manager for Wyoming State Parks. “We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to provide feedback.”

For more information, visit wyoparks.wyo.gov/keyhole or contact Carly-Ann Carruthers, planning manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Misty Moore, district manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Figure 1: Keyhole State Park.