The Mayor’s Minute from Mayor Patrick Collins – June 13, 2025
Published on June 13, 2025
Last Friday, City Council held a work session where our Planning Department discussed zoning rule changes they are thinking about. They shared that when our Unified Development Code (UDC) was adopted in 2012, the decision was made to leave the existing zone districts alone, and now, we’ve learned there are areas that are mis-zoned. One example is some areas along Dell Range are zoned mixed-use business but should be community business, and vice versa. We have business parks where the current zoning is too restrictive and our new business park zone district would be more appropriate. We have many planned unit development districts that have outlived their usefulness and should be given a traditional zone. We also have areas that City Council has zoned but include conditions that make it hard to keep track of. Overall, I came away with the conclusion that the Planning Department is on the right track and I look forward to their further refining the good work they have already done.
You know it’s summer when the Fridays on the Plaza concert series starts. I was nervous when the usual rains hit in the afternoon. Thankfully, the rain stopped, and a huge crowd showed up to hear Gym Class Heroes. I was in awe of the lead singer, Travie McCoy, and the way he had the crowd in his hand. The crowd was electric and had a blast. We have 10 more shows this summer. Come downtown on Fridays – food trucks, friends, and the best free music concerts in the west.
Celtic Fest has been a tradition in Cheyenne for 20 years now. Gov. Gordon and I were in Lions Park to help open this year’s Highland Games. Ryan Seckman has guided Celtic Fest for a decade now and this year saw a record turnout of clans and athletes. The governor showed up in his grandfather’s kilt and stole the show with his stories. The bagpipes leading the parade of clans were a perfect touch, and the athletes competing in historic events were impressive and fun to watch. I loved the tag line, “this weekend you can be a Scot, even if you are not.”
City Council set a goal this year to slow down traffic and quiet vehicles that are ruining the quality of life in our neighborhoods. We created the Critical Traffic Control Area program to help. Neighbors can petition the City to investigate speed and safety concerns and if they are determined to be serious, the program’s committee can implement enhanced enforcement and penalties. This week, the committee met and discussed Central Avenue from 8th Avenue to Pershing Boulevard. The investigation showed that 85% of vehicles were traveling at 38 miles per hour or below in this section of roadway where the speed limit is 30. This is 27% over the posted speed limit. The committee voted to designate this stretch of Central Avenue for extra attention. Starting Monday, the speed limit will be strictly enforced and the fines for speeding will be doubled. The safety of our neighborhoods is more important than saving a minute on your commute, so please slow down, Cheyenne.
The Office of Special Investigations (OSI) is the Air Force agency responsible for criminal investigations and counterintelligence. They did a presentation for representatives from Wyoming, western Nebraska, and northern Colorado – the footprint of F.E. Warren Air Force Base’s missile complex. The purpose was to help us understand the things they are concerned about and give us tips on what to look for. They are mostly concerned with foreign adversaries like China buying property near areas with national security missions like our base and missile infrastructure spread out over the three-state area. Forty people from local law enforcement, elected officials, and Homeland Security attended and walked away with a better understanding of OSI’s mission.
House Bill 202 was considered during the last legislative session. It was sponsored by Rep. Filer from Laramie County and would set specific timelines for municipalities to issue building permits. I testified against the bill as the timelines for larger commercial projects were not realistic. The bill died, but to his credit, Rep. Filer agreed to work with the City and the Wyoming Association of Municipalities this summer to craft a bill everyone can support. We met again this week to review our progress and plan the next steps. I think we will have a bill that is ready for prime time soon.
Housing is a challenge in Cheyenne and across the country. It is one of my top priorities. I met with Treasurer Meier this week to discuss the possibility of the state investing in Wyoming by helping to make affordable housing projects happen. I appreciate his time and the creative ideas he came up with. Getting more affordable housing built in Cheyenne will take many people working together and many different ideas combined. The one thing I have learned over the past four years is how incredibly complicated solving the affordable housing shortage is.
The City of Cheyenne is hosting the Wyoming Association of Municipalities (WAM) annual conference at East High School this week. We had some fun and learned a lot. I got to play in a golf tournament and was partnered with Tom Laycock from AARP and Nic George, a small businessman from Sheridan and a conference sponsor. The amazing part is we won because of the great putts both of my partners made. It felt great to get outside in the beautiful weather.
That evening, we had a cornhole tournament at Westby Edge and I was partnered with Mayor Kelly Krakow from Albin. We played four matches and won the tournament. I was blessed to have great golf and cornhole partners. The best part is the opportunity to meet and get to know elected officials from around the state as we played.
The real reason we have the conference is the learning opportunities. We had a panel discussion on the new state law allowing guns in most public buildings in the state. Rep. Haroldson, the sponsor of the law, and Pinedale Mayor Matt Murdock discussed the law and its implications. The majority of people I spoke with were not so much against the law, but with the state taking away the ability of the local communities to make the decision that is best for them – local control versus the state dictating.
WAM breaks up the state into regions and we are in Region 1. Cheyenne, Laramie, Albin, Pine Bluffs, Torrington, and Lingle got together to discuss issues important to southeast Wyoming and elect our officers for the next two years for the WAM board. I enjoy the discussions and reports on what is new in each community.
Dr. Kristen Gunther gave a talk on strategic communications. I enjoyed her practical suggestions on ways we can improve our communications both personally and as elected officials, especially her dos and don’ts. Max Mickelson from Rock Springs shared how he uses videos to communicate with his constituents. I need to watch and learn from his strategy.
Sens. Nethercott and Pappas and Reps. Landon Brown, JD Williams, and Steve Johnson participated in a panel moderated by Councilman Dr. Mark Rinne from Cheyenne. They did a nice job of answering legislative questions and I appreciate their taking time to attend.
The last panel I attended was hosted by Josh Dorrell from the Wyoming Business Council. Charles Bloom, our planning director, Commissioner Gunnar Malm, Blueline Development’s Christian Pritchett, and Riverton City Administrator Kyle Butterfield discussed modernization and regulatory reduction. It was all about how to make developing in our communities more predictable to attract more private development. I love Commissioner Malm, he always has fun giving cities and towns a bit of good-natured ribbing.
Col. Johnny Galbert has been the commander of the 90th Missile Wing for the past two years. He turned over command to Col. Terry Holmes Thursday morning. The ceremony was held on the historic parade grounds on base, and the pomp and ceremony evoked so many patriotic feelings. Johnny and his family welcomed the community to the base, and he led our base to the award for the best missile wing in the Air Force. He is a great leader, and I wish him and his family much success in Omaha as he takes his next assignment. Please join me in welcoming Col. Holmes and his family to Cheyenne. We agree that the best title in the world is one we share, grandpa!
This weekend is Father’s Day. We will have four generations together this weekend – what a blessing. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, including mine!