CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Nov. 6, 2026 – Wyoming State Parks reminds the public to share feedback on proposed improvements and future management priorities for Curt Gowdy State Park via an online questionnaire available through Nov. 20, 2026. 

Wyoming State Parks is developing a Curt Gowdy State Park Master Plan to guide recreation, management, and investment decisions for the next 10 to 15 years. As one of the system’s most visited recreation destinations, the Curt Gowdy State Park Master Plan will respond to new challenges and opportunities. 

Proposed improvements under consideration include a showerhouse, a disc golf course, a strider park, and trails, upgrades to day-use areas and the amphitheater, and more. Wyoming State Parks is considering changes across the Park, including land acquisition, operations management to protect visitors and natural resources, and expanded education and interpretation opportunities. 

A total of 50 people attended three public open houses held last week at the Wyoming State Museum, Wyoming Territorial Prison, and Curt Gowdy State Park Visitor Center. Discussions focused on natural resource protection, potential park expansion, and future development to meet recreational needs. Attendees expressed strong support for Curt Gowdy State Park and interest in the planning process. Those unable to attend are encouraged to share their feedback through the online questionnaire.

Take the Questionnaire by Nov. 20 at: Engage Now! | Curt Gowdy Master Plan 2025 (Bit.ly/CurtGowdyMP)

About Curt Gowdy State Park

Established in 1971 and located between Cheyenne and Laramie along Happy Jack Road, Curt Gowdy State Park is one of Wyoming’s most visited recreation destinations, welcoming more than half a million visitors annually. The 3,552-acre park encompasses three historic reservoirs (Granite Springs, Crystal, and North Crow) that supply drinking water to Cheyenne and provide a scenic backdrop for year-round outdoor activities. As a premier mountain biking and outdoor recreation area, Curt Gowdy’s visitation has surged by 27% since 2019, creating new challenges and opportunities for sustainable park management. 

The Master Plan will serve as a long-term roadmap to guide management, improvements, and decision-making for the park. Sign up to stay up to date and receive future notifications for input opportunities at Sign Up | Curt Gowdy Master Plan 2025.

For additional information, please contact Carly-Ann Carruthers, planning manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Adam McKay, park superintendent, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Figures 1 & 2:  Community members participate in recent public open houses for the Curt Gowdy State Park Master Plan, sharing feedback on park improvements, natural resource protection, and future recreational opportunities.  

LARAMIE, Wyo. – Nov. 4, 2026 – Mark your calendars for the 2027 Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Summit (WORS), taking place May 6—7, 2027, at the Marion H. Rochelle Gateway Center. Outdoor industry leaders, stakeholders, agency personnel, and community members from across the state will come together to share stories, ideas, and challenges they are currently experiencing in outdoor recreation. Co-hosted by the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation and the Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute, the Summit is the state’s premier annual convening for Wyoming’s outdoor recreation community. The 2027 theme, “Wyoming’s Outdoor Legacy,” will pull threads from the past and present to highlight the momentous steps that have brought this event to its fourth year. Sponsorship opportunities will be available soon!

Keynote Speaker

Jeannette Stawski will be the keynote speaker for the 2027 WORS. Jeannette Stawski is the author of “The Outdoor Leader,” released by Mountaineers Books in 2024, and owner of the leadership development company Leading Valiantly. She currently serves as the Senior Assistant Director of Adventure Leadership and Sustainability at the University of Michigan. Jeannette served for 14 years as executive director of the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE), and will bring her outdoor expertise to WORS with passion and energy.

Call for Proposals

Event organizers encourage Wyoming’s outdoor recreation community to submit session ideas through the Call for Proposals form (link available here). All presentation formats are welcome—panels, workshops, slideshows—but hands-on options are particularly encouraged. The Call for Proposals form will be open until Jan. 15, 2027. 

Questions & Contact

For additional information, sponsorship inquiries, or general questions, contact Taylor Kruger at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Jamie Hansen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

The Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation champions responsible outdoor recreation to improve communities and diversify Wyoming’s economy. The mission of the Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute is to expand and diversify Wyoming’s economy by supporting the outdoor recreation, tourism, and hospitality industries.

Learn more about the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Summit by visiting www.uwyo.edu/worth/events/wors.html. 

Figure 1:  Save the date for the 2027 Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Summit, May 6–7 in Laramie. This year’s theme, “Wyoming’s Outdoor Legacy,” will celebrate the past, present, and future of outdoor recreation in Wyoming.

LANDER, Wyo. – Nov. 3, 2026 – The Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund Board will hold its next meeting Nov. 16–17, 2026, in Lander, Wyoming. The meeting will review and award grants from the Oct. 1, 2026, application cycle.

The two-day public meeting will take place at the Lander Library, located at 451 N. 2nd Street, with the following schedule:

• Monday, Nov. 16: 9 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m. in the Little Theatre Room.
• Tuesday, Nov. 17: 8:30 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m. in the Carnegie Room.

The public may attend in person or participate virtually via Google Meet on either day. The committee may hold an executive session if necessary.

To participate via Google Meet:

Monday, Nov. 16

Join virtually: meet.google.com/jro-scmz-eui

Dial in: (US‬)+1 470-242-8298‬ PIN: 295 271 834#

Tuesday, Nov. 17

Join virtually: meet.google.com/kyx-ttuw-wxz

Dial in: (US‬)+1 413-424-4466‬ PIN: 636 447 175#‬

The Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund board meetings are open to the public. Grant applicants are encouraged to attend any grant review meeting, but cannot participate in the proceedings unless addressed by the board. The WCTF program coordinator and board cannot confirm exactly when a grant application will be reviewed, but the board may review an application "out of order" if an applicant is present for a limited time.

The board meeting agenda is available on the WCTF website, wyoculturaltrust.com. Please contact the WCTF Program Coordinator, Renée Bovée, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (307) 777-6312 with any questions.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Nov. 2, 2026 – The Wyoming State Archives will host author Mark Johnson for a talk and book signing on his new book, Cowboy Soldiers: The History of the Wyoming National Guard, on Thursday, Nov. 12, as part of its monthly Speaker Series. The event is free and open to the public, both in person and online. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.

The Wyoming National Guard is 20 years older than the state it serves, yet for more than a century and a half its history remained scattered and incomplete. Drawing on sources from across Wyoming and the National Archives, Johnson’s Cowboy Soldiers traces the Guard’s first 75 years, from its territorial militia roots in the late 19th century to its emergence as a dependable part of the state and federal defense establishment in the first half of the 20th century. Richly illustrated and thoroughly researched, the book tells the story of the Wyoming residents who served during the Guard’s formative years.

In his presentation, Johnson will discuss the Guard’s formation in 1888, its role in the Johnson County War, George Ostrom's World War I artwork, and the experiences of Wyoming soldiers who served overseas in the Spanish-American War and both World Wars.

Event Details

• What: Mark Johnson presents Cowboy Soldiers: The History of the Wyoming National Guard
• When: Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, at 7 p.m. MST
• Where: Wyoming State Museum Classroom, 2301 Central Ave., Cheyenne
• Online: Free virtual attendance with advance registration at wyomingstatearchives.eventbrite.com
• Cost: Free and open to the public

About the Presenter
Mark Johnson served 31 years in the U.S. Army at posts across the United States and overseas in Germany, Panama, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. He later worked as a U.S. Army historian at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and taught history as an adjunct professor at the University of Wyoming. He is currently a contract historian for the Wyoming Military Department and has served as a teacher and administrator at Natrona County High School in Casper since 2016.

Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a master’s degree in history from the University of Wyoming, and a doctorate in American history from the University at Albany. His honors include the Federal Managers Association’s Professional Writing Award, a military history research fellowship from the General Omar N. Bradley Foundation, and a Distinguished Dissertation Award from the State University of New York. He has also been named a finalist for the Army Historical Foundation’s Distinguished Writing Award.

About the Wyoming State Archives
Held on the second Thursday of each month, the Wyoming State Archives Speaker Series highlights the state's rich and diverse history. The Archives collects and preserves public records and historic materials that document Wyoming's government and people. 

The venue is fully accessible in accordance with ADA guidelines. You can request special assistance directly from the State Archivist.

MOORCROFT, Wyo. – Oct. 30, 2026 – A parkwide asphalt rehabilitation project will begin at Keyhole State Park on Nov. 2, 2026. This project encompasses asphalt repairs on Marina Road, Pat’s Point Road, and sections of Brandenburg Loop. Work will continue through the end of 2026, with additional work expected in June 2027 when temperatures allow.

Keyhole State Park staff ask visitors to use caution when entering the park through either the Marina Road or Coulter Bay entrances and to follow any temporary traffic direction changes.

Electric sites at the Coulter Bay campground will remain closed until Dec. 1, 2026, to accommodate heavy equipment, trucks, and construction materials. 

For more information, please contact Project Manager Andrew Skiba at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Keyhole State Park Superintendent Mary Negri at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Figure 1: The Marina Road Entrance at Keyhole State Park. 

AFTON, Wyo. – Oct. 30, 2026 – The Wyoming State Trails Program Advisory Council will meet in Afton at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 13. Members of the public may attend in person, watch virtually, or listen by phone.

Interested parties may attend the meeting in person at the Town of Afton Civic Center, 150 Washington St., Room #125A/B, Afton, WY 83110, or join virtually via Google Meet link: meet.google.com/xdh-ybwh-tec or by calling ‪(US) +1 781-514-9747, and entering PIN: ‪927 436 700#.

Agenda items include the approval of the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Partnership, and the new Non-Motorized Grant applications, along with updates from the State Trails Program and the Office of Outdoor Recreation.

The Wyoming State Trails Advisory Council is a ten-member recreational trail advisory committee appointed by the Governor to advise the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources regarding trail policies, functions, and priorities.

You can learn more about the Wyoming State Trails Program and Advisory Council by visiting wyoparks.wyo.gov.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Oct. 28, 2026 – Wyoming State Parks is announcing updates to its rules and regulations, effective Jan. 1, 2027. The revisions mark the first comprehensive update in decades and aim to modernize and simplify existing regulations, better reflect current recreational activities and visitor needs, and support safe, enjoyable experiences at Wyoming’s state parks, historic and archaeological sites, and recreation areas. 

The updates follow a review of existing regulations and a formal public comment period held earlier this year. The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources issued a notice of intent to amend the rules in January 2026 and accepted public comments through February 2026. The department reviewed and considered the public comments when developing final revisions, including clarifications to several proposed changes. 

“Our goal throughout this process has been to make the regulations clearer, more practical, and better suited to how people use our parks and sites today,” said Mark Caughlan, chief ranger for Wyoming State Parks. “We appreciate the feedback received during the public comment period, which helped inform the final revisions. Ultimately, these updates are about supporting recreational opportunities while maintaining visitor safety and protecting our resources for future generations.” 

Throughout the revision process, regulatory language was cleaned up, simplified, and clarified, with unnecessary or repetitive provisions removed where possible. These changes reduced the regulations from 17 to 12 pages. Additional updates address camping, permits, pets, trail use, boating, fishing, other recreational activities, and park conduct. 

Notable updates include:

• Drone Use: Updated regulations establish provisions for drone operations, including use with prior written permission from the park superintendent, subject to applicable restrictions.
• Camping & Occupancy: Maximum campsite occupancy will decrease from 10 to eight people, and wheeled camping units must be parked on designated parking pads, where provided. Camping permits will now expire at 11 a.m. instead of 10 a.m., aligning with the established checkout time.
• Nighttime Park Access: The updated regulations remove the general restriction that closes park lands to non-campers after 10 p.m. Visitors enjoying activities such as nighttime fishing or stargazing no longer need a camping permit to remain in a park after 10 p.m., provided they are not occupying a campsite. Other applicable fees and regulations will continue to apply.
• Pets: Pets may no longer be left unattended at any time, replacing the previous one-hour allowance. Barking dogs will also be specifically included in quiet-hour restrictions, and the regulations clarify where pets may be off-leash.
• Fishing: The restricted distance for bow fishing near public facilities will decrease from 300 to 100 yards, providing anglers more flexibility while maintaining a buffer around public facilities.
• Electric Bicycles & Trail Use: Class 1 electric bicycles will be permitted on designated non-motorized trails. Class 2 and Class 3 electric bicycles will be prohibited on all non-motorized trails, and bicyclists will be required to yield to pedestrians. 
• Boating & Shoreline Access: New provisions prohibit unauthorized boat docks and require trailered motorized watercraft and sailboats to use designated launch and retrieval areas.

Additional revisions address quiet-hour restrictions for noise-producing generators, speed limits on unposted park roads, camp rentals, prohibited materials in campfires, and other park activities. The updated regulations also simplify certain permit requirements and remove or clarify several restrictions at individual parks and historic sites, including Curt Gowdy, Hot Springs, and Bear River State Parks. 

As visitors plan their 2027 trips and recreational activities, Wyoming State Parks encourages them to review the updated rules and regulations to help make the most of their experiences at Wyoming’s state parks, historic and archaeological sites, and state recreation areas.

An overview of the changes and the complete regulations are available at Bit.ly/WyoParksRulesAndRegulations. 

SHERIDAN, Wyo. – Oct. 27, 2026 – The Wyoming Arts Council has opened a public art call for the Sheridan College Science Center through the State of Wyoming’s Art in Public Buildings program. Artwork will be commissioned for the facility as part of a building expansion that will provide additional classrooms and instructional spaces.

The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is open to artists residing in the Mountain West, with applications due Nov. 22, 2026. Eligible applicants must be full-time residents of Montana, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, or New Mexico. Wyoming artists will be given preference.

Full details and application instructions are available through CaFÉ at callforentry.org. Submit all applications through CaFÉ by the deadline. A project committee will review applications, select finalists, and make the final artwork selection.

The Art in Public Buildings program is administered by the Wyoming Arts Council and was established in 1991 to set aside a portion of capital construction funds for commissioning public art. Since then, more than 200 works of art have been placed in and around public buildings across Wyoming. Learn more about the program at wyomingartscouncil.org.

For more information, contact Ismael Dominguez, programs specialist with the Wyoming Arts Council, at (307) 275-4476 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Figure 1: Architectural rendering of the Sheridan College Science Center expansion in Sheridan. Image courtesy of Arete Design Group.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Oct. 26, 2026 – The Wyoming State Records Committee will meet virtually at 9:30 a.m. MT, via Google Meet, on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. The meeting is open to the public.

The agenda includes records retention requests from state and local agencies, as well as accession and deaccession requests involving a variety of archival materials.

How to Attend

• Join by video:meet.google.com/nzu-jgxh-psw
• Listen by phone: (US) +1 505-738-3191, PIN 918 972 498#

The State Records Committee reviews and approves retention schedules for public records. It has final authority over whether state, county, and local government records are kept permanently or disposed of after a set period. Members include representatives of the Wyoming State Archives, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Audit.

Anyone needing special assistance to participate in the meeting may contact the Wyoming State Archives at (307) 777-7826.

About the State Records Committee
Created under Wyoming Statute 9-2-411, the State Records Committee is made up of the director of the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (or a deputy), who serves as chair and secretary; the attorney general (or an appointee); and the director of the Department of Audit (or an appointee). The committee meets at least quarterly and acts by majority vote. It approves, modifies, or rejects proposed retention schedules for all public records, rules on requests to destroy public records, and may issue records management and digital preservation guidance to state agencies and local governments.