The Mayor’s Minute from Mayor Patrick Collins – Sept. 25, 2026

Published on September 25, 2026

One of the attributes of Cheyenne that I love is the spirit of volunteerism you see everywhere. I met with some old friends this week to talk about how we might formalize a day or an event to focus on taking the volunteer spirit even further. I know ideas like this will take a lot of work and collaboration, but there is so much need in our community and so many willing to help – we have to do it. More to come early next year.

City Council’s Public Services Committee held a very long meeting this week that included three different owner-requested annexations that I believe will benefit Cheyenne for decades to come. The first is the Hitching Post District that will become the new home for the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association, Hall of Fame, and museum. This property at the intersection of Interstates 80 and 25 will be transformed into an epic destination tourism venue delivering the rodeo and cowboy lifestyle visitors to Cheyenne want to see. The owner of the property shared his vision of limiting the development of the land to compatible uses. I am so excited about what this will do for our future.

The other two annexations are in support of future business parks that may include data center developments. What makes these two developments so different is the real effort made by both companies to meet repeatedly with the neighbors who will be most impacted by whatever development happens on the vacant land near their homes. Over the months I witnessed neighbors ask hard questions and the companies came back at the next meeting with thoughtful answers. I know some in the neighborhoods would probably choose no development, if possible, but the owners of the property also deserve to develop their private property. The transparent way the companies have met with the neighborhoods has elevated what we expect from companies in the future and will benefit Cheyenne for decades to come.

Council’s Finance Committee also met and one item that will also have a huge impact on our community was 5th Penny sales tax resolution. 80% of the sales tax is dedicated to our roads. In my almost 6 years as mayor, we have invested $39 million in our pavement management program to stabilize our roads. Our goal is to do significant maintenance on at least 10% of our roads every year and that has resulted in over 120 miles of roads getting attention so far. Another 9% of the tax goes to public safety, supporting equipment for the police department and fire department, maintenance, and training. The voters of Laramie County will make the decision at the polls on Nov. 3.

The Wyoming Business Council has a new representative for our area, Jadeen Mathis. She came by to introduce herself and learn about what is important to Cheyenne and Laramie County. I know the WBC has been under some pressure during the recent legislative session, but having support and access to resources is imperative if we are going to diversify our economy in Wyoming.

I have been going to Discovery Day at the National Guard for years now. This year, 1,250 kids from all around the region came to the base for a STEAM experience. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The Guard has been investing in this experience to give kids an opportunity to see what is possible in their future right here in Cheyenne. The University of Wyoming brought some very cool robots and LCCC brought their mobile lab that included 3D printers, lathes, and mills. The Guard displayed the technology they use every day in their jobs. Something new this year was seeing artists showing how they create art. I have so much appreciation for art and no ability, so that part was special. It really is an awesome event, and you know they dedicate a lot of time and energy to make it a success. The goal of inspiring our kids is worth it.

I attended a groundbreaking for a new residential neighborhood. I spoke about the challenge we face in Wyoming with 67% of our kids and young families leaving the state by the time they are 30 and not coming back. At the same time, the American Dream of homeownership is becoming harder for too many to achieve. Mission Homes is building homes that will help families afford to own a home and maybe choose to stay in Cheyenne. In 1950, the average home was 950 square feet in size and on around 4,000 square foot lots, like in the in the Avenues of Cheyenne. Today, single family homes are two to three times larger, on lots twice the size. With the increasing cost of materials, no wonder housing costs are so high.

I reminded everyone that we would not have been able to build this development four years ago as our UDC regulations did not allow it. City Council and our planning department have worked hard over the past few years to give entrepreneurs like Mission Homes the ability to react to the market and build the housing the market needs.

Creating jobs, attainable housing, and quality of life amenities are part of what we need to do to help young people make the decision to stay in Cheyenne. Thank you to everyone who is active in helping give them the choice to stay.

This has been a bit of a short week for me as I had a second oral surgery to add more bone to my lower jaw. I crashed my bike heading home from 7th grade orientation and that injury resulted in the removal of my four lower front teeth in June. I am hoping they will be able to install the implants in January and finally the teeth in spring. I love to eat, and this situation has made that challenging.

The first day of fall happened this week. I do love these beautiful days, but I dread the cold months of winter. Hoping for a long, long fall.