The Mayor’s Minute from Mayor Patrick Collins – Aug. 28, 2026

Published on August 28, 2026

Judy and I traveled to Bismarck, North Dakota, so I could meet our new granddaughter for the first time. She was born on July 3^, and she is beautiful. North Dakota is like Wyoming in that they are collecting a lot of money from the oil being taken from the Bakken field. I am impressed by how they have invested those dollars into family friendly amenities. We took the two older kids to the zoo, the Gateway to Science center, the North Dakota Heritage Center, the Playlab, the Ice Complex, and lots of outdoor playgrounds. Many of these are free or have affordable membership fees, making it easy for young families to find something fun to do every day. Being grandpa is the best.

The City, the Laramie County Commission, Cheyenne-Laramie County Public Health, the South Cheyenne Water & Sewer District, and the Department of Environmental Quality met this week to review our 201 Agreement. This agreement was signed in 1983 and limits new septic or small wastewater systems in an area around Cheyenne. It is meant to protect groundwater as the community grows and keep us in compliance with the federal Clean Water Act. We discussed our obligations under existing laws and how we can ensure we remain friendly to residents and businesses in our community. I appreciate the DEQ spending time with us and informing us of different programs that could be a big help in meeting our needs.

During our Governing Body meeting on Monday night, we held a public hearing for the transfer of a retail liquor license. The owner of the license outlined his plan to bring his Wyoming Ale House restaurant to the Cheyenne Plaza located at the intersection of Ridge Road and Lincolnway. It is exciting to see a successful Wyoming restauranteur make an investment in Cheyenne, especially on the east side of town. The license transfer will need to be approved by the Governing Body over the next two weeks. If approved, we will see the old Big Lots section of the shopping center get a facelift and construction begin on three new businesses: the restaurant, a large liquor store, and a potential HHR facility.

We held a summer picnic to celebrate employees who have served the city for at least 20 years. The best part was the childhood pictures of the employees, they were great. I recognized a few, but most were mysteries. Thanks to Jennifer and the HR team for making it a perfect event.

I was asked to serve on the EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee or LGAC. Since 1993, LGAC has provided advice to the administrator of the EPA. Historically, the administrator charges the LGAC with challenges the department would like locally elected officials to weigh in on. Work groups are formed and they spend the year learning about the subject and writing a final report. Members can also bring other topics to the LGAC and the administrator’s attention. I am looking forward to learning more about the process and bringing local issues to the group.

I love the history of the High Plains Arboretum. It was established in 1928 by the USDA to find trees and other plants from around the world that would grow in our harsh climate. When Cheyenne was founded, there were almost no trees in the area. That mission ended in the 1970s when the USDA started doing grassland research. The almost 100-year-old trees and buildings are still standing, and we have been working to restart the mission of the arboretum by restoring the headhouse, green house, and lath house that were used to grow and study trees back in the day. We have completed the new irrigation system that waters the historic trees and the new ones planted on the site. The old flood irrigation system wasted water and did not do a good job of making sure the trees were properly watered. The contractor has done a great job, and we should have the project completed in the late fall. Thank you to the Legislature for the funding that has allowed for this amazing restoration.

The Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee met in Cheyenne this week. I went to listen and to testify to a couple of proposed bills: one that would eliminate a bunch of Wyoming Business Council programs, and one that would restart a Countywide Consensus Grant Program.

I appreciate the Legislature giving state programs a complete review, but I struggle when they want to eliminate economic development programs without local economic development professionals and local governments being fully consulted. Economic development happens at the local level and that is the level that is best to share what they need to be successful.

During my time on City Council, the Legislature had a consensus grant program. The program gave each county a grant that was divided between all the governing bodies in the county. The program allowed each governing body to improve our infrastructure. This week the Legislature discussed resuming the program with significant dollars to get things started. They added the ability to do major maintenance to the program making it even more valuable to the cities, towns, and counties in the state. I know there is universal excitement across the state, and we appreciate the legislators who are driving the restart of this program.

A local consultant, Ayers & Associates, was in Colorado and learned about a company building attainable housing across the country. They collaborated with the Business Council to set up a meeting where we could all learn about Hillpointe and how they provide the missing middle housing to the communities they develop in. They define the missing middle as housing for people earning between 80 and 120% of the AMI in the county. They have a mission to serve those who earn too much to qualify for affordable housing but can’t really afford the new apartments being built at the higher end of the market. Living with dignity is how they described it. I have no idea if they will choose Wyoming, but it was nice to meet them and hear their mission. I know many Wyoming communities will follow up.

Friday is the 44th anniversary of my marriage to Judy. It is hard to believe it has been that many years, but I am a blessed man. Happy anniversary and thanks for asking me to marry you!