The Mayor’s Minute from Mayor Patrick Collins – March 7, 2025
Published on March 07, 2025
Power is the lifeblood of every business, and backup power is so important to critical infrastructure and organizations. Enginuity Power Systems was in town to visit with our National Guard and asked to meet with me. They have a system that takes water, creates steam, and it pushes the generators to create electricity. It is a new concept, and it was fun to see how American industry is meeting a demand.
Speaking of entrepreneurs, I met with Kishore Kodru and Brian Gross who have been working to invent a new product called FoodEase. It was invented to help folks like me who like to cook but are time challenged. It has five bins where ingredients are stored and then the machine adds the ingredients at the perfect time, all the while stirring while the meal cooks. My first thought was Indian food, but I hope it will help me master orange chicken. They are in the final steps before manufacturing. I have my name on the list for the first production. Amazing what a couple of Cheyenne guys have accomplished. It reminds me of an Instant Pot on steroids.
Gov. Gordon signed Senate File 119, a bill that I worked on with Katie Brown, an Air Force spouse. Many military spouses come to F.E. Warren AFB and need to obtain a state license to work in their profession. In too many instances, this process takes too long. Senate File 119 gives military spouses a 30-day window for receiving their license and the ability to get to work. Katie and I would like to thank the Legislature and especially Sen. Boner for their support of this important bill.
Friday night, the 90th Missile Wing held their annual awards banquet in a C-130 hanger on the National Guard base. Everyone was dressed in their formal dress uniforms and looked so good. I am the honorary commander of the Mission Support Group, and our team won nine out of 14 total awards given during the evening. I love the support each nominee received from their respective commands. It is an impressive group of young men and women who are serving our country at F.E. Warren. A highlight for me was our Chamber director, Dale Steenbergen, receiving an award for the Civilian Partner of the Year. It is well deserved as he has spent years advocating for our local military missions. Congratulations to the Airman of the Year, Senior Airman Logan LeJeune; NCO of the Year, Tech Sergeant Brandon Whalen; Senior NCO of the Year, Master Sergeant Tori De Dios; Company Grade Officer of the Year, Captain Tressa Clement; and Field Grade Officer of the Year Major Filomena Gehart. Proud to be MSG!
Saturday morning, I attended a ceremony on the Air National Guard base where the 243rd Air Traffic Control Squadron converted to the 243rd Combat Airfield Operations Squadron (CAOS). Major Hochhalter has led the Red-Tailed Hawks in acquiring new skills that enable them to operate in forward operating environments. I attended a demonstration this past summer where they showed off their new skillset to the Air Force. It was exciting to see their hard work payoff with the ceremony.
I can’t believe it is already time to start working on the budget for the 2026 fiscal year. We are blessed to have a great team in our Treasurer’s Department to guide this process. Our first step is to predict our revenues. This year has proven to be a bit harder as the Legislature is still working on their efforts to cut property taxes. We know our revenues will be lower next year as SF 69 has passed and lowers property taxes by 25 percent and SF 48 exempts the first $75,000 of business property fair market value. Those are in addition to the 50 percent property tax cut for long-term homeowners and the 4 percent cap on property tax increases passed last year. I will be working on the budget until mid-June.
I got a bit of great news this week from Summit Capital. They came to tell me they are going to start the second phase of their apartment building project – 120 more apartments to help with our housing shortage. Karl and Andrew love building in Cheyenne and we are blessed to have their investment in our city. Groundbreaking is scheduled for June.
I went through the Leadership Cheyenne program in 1997. I met Tom Bass in the class, and we have been friends ever since. He is retiring after decades of banking and Judy and I went to his retirement party. I know Tom was a good banker, but he was a better community member. He served on so many boards, took veterans on honor flights to D.C., and was a great boss to his employees. We wish him and Chris great adventures in this next chapter of their lives.
I have good news for veterans who plan on Cheyenne’s National Cemetery being their final resting place. The Fort Logan National Cemetery District was in town this week to announce they are going to break ground on restrooms at the facility next month with the goal of having them ready for family and friends in early summer. Thank you for the investment in our Cemetery.
If you were to ask me about branding, the first thing that comes to my mind is a cute calf and hard work. I met with the project team for the beginning steps of Cheyenne’s new branding process. The City has hired them to help develop a new branding strategy that we hope will help our community understand and do business more successfully with us. I loved the team and their enthusiasm for our city.
A highlight for me this week was a tour of the LCCC Advanced Manufacturing and Material Center. We started with the Concept Forge. It is part of the college’s dedication to helping entrepreneurs build their skills and supporting local entrepreneurs to help make their businesses more successful. It was impressive how staff helps people use the 3D printers, large format printers and other tools. A local artist had her paintings digitally photographed and the Concept Forge printed high quality posters she can sell in art studios. Watching 3D printers make a part for a car or a brake lever for a motorcycle was impressive, but learning how the staff programs the printers to make them was even more impressive.
Next, I toured the Advanced Manufacturing side of the program. Staff showed me how they train students to take the high-paying jobs our local manufacturing economy needs to be successful. They have invested over $3 million in high-tech equipment giving students the latest tools to learn necessary skills. The first 16-week program sees students learning on mills and lathes. They can then enter the workforce earning $35/hour or more. The next 16-week program adds automation and robotics that give student even more valuable skills. Adding robotic welding and a metal 3D printer, students leave with an impressive set of skills.
I love how LCCC is training our future workforce in manufacturing and in other career fields. I was surprised to learn how robust the industries LCCC supports that I had never heard of. This all happened because the voters approved funding on the 6th Penny sales tax as recommended by the County Commissioners, and the US EDA partnered on the program. Individuals and businesses can take advantage of the programs and equipment I toured. It is inexpensive and the staff is dedicated to helping you be successful.
As I write this week’s Mayor’s Minute, the Legislature has adjourned for the year. I spent more time at the Capitol this year than ever before. My time saw mixed results, but I would like to thank the legislators for their service to our state. I already know we will be very busy this summer as the legislators work interim topics.