AGP Executive Report

Visitor Funding: Laramie County voters will decide whether to renew the 2% lodging tax, which Visit Cheyenne says funds about half its budget for events and visitor marketing. Wildlife & Yellowstone: A new documentary about famed grizzly 399 began streaming on Amazon Prime Oct. 16. Meanwhile, Luna, a small dog missing in Yellowstone for 34 days, was found alive and reunited with her family. Plan Your Stay: A travel expert recommends spending one or two days in Cody to add the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and historic downtown to a Yellowstone trip. Road Trips: Five counties are backing a bid to designate Wyoming’s stretch of the historic Lincoln Highway, now US 30, a state scenic byway. Fall Conditions: Wyoming’s aspens are less golden than usual after drought, and the Beartooth Highway has closed for the season; check conditions before heading into the mountains.

Lodging Tax: Laramie County voters will decide whether to renew the 2% tax on overnight stays. Visit Cheyenne says the levy supplies about half its budget and helps fund events and visitor marketing. Yellowstone Rescue: Luna, a Jack Russell terrier missing for more than a month after escaping during a family vacation, was found Wednesday and reunited with her owners. She was underweight but alert and in good spirits. Park Access: Beartooth Highway has closed for the season, while early snow is arriving across the region. Travelers should check road and weather conditions before heading into the mountains. Wildlife Crossings: The US 189 project south of Kemmerer remains unfinished for winter, with fencing on the southern end still to come. WYDOT and Game and Fish urge drivers to slow down and watch for wildlife. Wildlife & Tourism: The documentary 399 Forever, about Yellowstone’s famed grizzly and the community around her, arrives on Amazon Prime Video Oct. 16.

Air Travel: Wyoming airports generate an estimated $3.5 billion in annual economic activity, including $1.9 billion directly, according to a new state study. Wildlife on the Roads: The wildlife-crossing project south of Kemmerer won’t be finished until spring, leaving southern fencing incomplete over winter. WYDOT urges drivers on US 189 to slow down and watch for animals. In Yellowstone, a bison recently charged a vehicle, damaging its fender and headlight. Yellowstone Update: Luna, the dog lost in the park for more than a month, was rescued and reunited with her family. She was underweight but alert and in good spirits. Winter Travel: The Beartooth Highway has closed for the season, and early snow and cold weather are returning across the region. Check conditions before heading into the mountains.

Yellowstone Rescue: Luna, a 10-year-old Jack Russell terrier missing for more than a month, was found in a live trap and reunited with her California family. She’s underweight but alert and in good spirits. Park Safety: A bison charged a driver’s truck in Yellowstone, damaging its fender and headlight. Give wildlife plenty of space and wait for animals to clear the road. Road Conditions: The U.S. 189 wildlife-crossing project south of Kemmerer will remain unfinished through winter, leaving a stretch of fencing incomplete; WYDOT and Game and Fish urge drivers to slow down and watch for animals. Fall Weather: A multi-day storm brought 1.5 to 3.5 inches of rain to Teton County, with light snow on upper ski-resort slopes. Snow and cold are arriving across the region, and Beartooth Highway has closed for the season.

Winter Road Conditions: Snow is expected across southeast Wyoming through Thursday, with hazardous travel possible near Arlington, the I-80 summit and higher elevations. Wind River Canyon: WYDOT is seeking public input on resilience options at meetings in Riverton on Oct. 21 and Thermopolis on Oct. 22; no final recommendations have been selected. Wildlife Crossings: The Kemmerer project is 56% complete. Northern crossings and fencing are expected to help migrating herds this winter, but unfinished southern fencing means drivers on U.S. 189 should stay alert for wildlife. Fall Access: Beartooth Highway is closed for the season, while early snow is already changing conditions in Yellowstone—check current road updates before setting out. Alpine Traffic: The temporary U.S. 89 roundabout is gone, and residents can share feedback in a town survey due Oct. 21.

Road Safety: The Kemmerer wildlife-crossing project is 56% complete, but unfinished southern fencing means drivers on U.S. 189 should stay alert for wildlife this winter. Winter Travel: Snow and strong winds are putting Wyoming mountain roads at risk, with hikers and hunters in the Snowy Range urged to prepare for hazardous conditions. Yellowstone Visits: Beartooth Highway has closed for the season, while early snow is already changing conditions in Yellowstone. Roadside Stop: Love’s has opened a new Casper travel center off I-25, with truck and RV parking, showers, laundry and a dog park. Wildlife Watching: A new film about famed Grand Teton grizzly 399 is now streaming, revisiting the bear and the community that followed her.

Roadside Stop: Love’s has opened its sixth Wyoming travel stop in Casper, off I-25 at Exit 191. It offers 52 truck spaces, RV hookups, showers, laundry, a dog park and a Hardee’s, and created 80 jobs. Yellowstone Planning: Winter weather is arriving, with rain and snow possible and overnight freezes forecast. Most park roads close to public vehicles Oct. 31, so check conditions and services before heading out. Outdoor Careers: UW’s WORTH Institute received a $2.5 million grant for a four-year effort to connect rural students and workers with outdoor recreation, tourism and hospitality careers. Seasonal Access: Beartooth Highway has closed for the season, ending another route for fall visitors to the Yellowstone region. Night Skies: Forecasts offered parts of Wyoming a chance to see the northern lights; seek a dark spot with a clear view north.

Yellowstone Search: A packed palomino gelding named Sue went missing near the remote Bechler Ranger Station during a family packing trip. His owners are offering a $1,000 reward for his return. Seasonal Access: Beartooth Highway and Yellowstone’s Dunraven Pass have closed early for winter weather, but most park roads and the east entrance near Cody remain open through Oct. 31. Tourism Careers: UW’s WORTH Institute won a $2.5 million grant to build rural pathways into outdoor recreation, tourism and hospitality jobs. Resort Debate: A broad coalition is urging Grand Targhee’s owner to reconsider resort expansion, while the owner says the proposal is still moving forward.

Public Lands: At a Sheridan town hall, Rep. Harriet Hageman defended local input in forest-management decisions as constituents pressed her on federal lands. Separately, more than 99% of roughly 400,000 unique comments analyzed opposed repealing the Roadless Rule, which protects undeveloped forest land. Road Closures: Beartooth Highway closed for the season early, ending travelers’ last-chance trips over the scenic route. Drivers planning Yellowstone visits should also watch for a reported 12-week bottleneck on a primary approach. Winter Access: Wyoming’s Winter Travel Authorization offers drivers access to some roads that close for the season. Tourism and Conservation: A broad coalition is urging Grand Targhee’s owner to halt resort expansion, while a lodging-tax renewal is headed to the ballot.

Seasonal Roads: Beartooth Highway closed for winter early after travelers made one last trip. Wyoming’s Winter Travel Authorization also offers approved drivers access to certain roads normally closed for the season. Yellowstone Access: A primary route to the park faces a 12-week bottleneck, a potential disruption for visitors. Visitor Funding: Sweetwater County voters will decide in November whether to renew the visitor lodging tax. In Laramie County, an editorial backs renewing the fifth-penny sales tax, noting visitors provide 40% of local sales-tax revenue. Resort Plans: Targhee expansion remains contentious, while Sublette County dealt a setback to developer Joe Ricketts’ resort plans. Wildfire Readiness: Wyoming marked the opening of a new Casper aviation helibase designed to speed wildfire response.

Seasonal Road Access: Beartooth Highway closed five days early because of forecast snow, ending the scenic route’s season and prompting travelers to squeeze in one last drive. Airport Connections: Cheyenne Regional Airport has added daily flights to Denver, expanding options for visitors connecting through the city. Resort Development: Opponents are urging Grand Targhee’s owner to halt an expansion, but the resort says it is pressing ahead — a debate that could shape future visits. Visitor Funding: Sweetwater County voters will decide in November whether to renew the visitor lodging tax, which helps support tourism-related services.

Scenic Drives: Beartooth Highway closed five days early as snow threatened, ending the season for one of the region’s signature road trips. Yellowstone Access: A key route to the park faces a 12-week bottleneck, so travelers should plan ahead. Winter Travel: WYDOT is urging drivers to register for its Winter Travel Authorization Program before storms arrive; approval does not guarantee access if conditions worsen. Tourism Funding: Laramie County voters will decide on sales- and lodging-tax renewals Nov. 3. An editorial backing the measures notes that visitors contribute 40% of local sales-tax revenue. Air Connections: Cheyenne Regional Airport is adding daily flights to Denver, expanding options for travelers.

Seasonal Roads: Beartooth Highway closed five days early as snow threatened safe travel, ending the scenic route’s season after one final rush of visitors. Winter Driving: WYDOT’s Winter Travel Authorization Program lets approved drivers access some closed roads when conditions allow, but troopers can still deny entry. Tourism Funding: Laramie County voters will decide on sales-tax measures this fall; visitors provide about 40% of local sales-tax revenue, according to county officials. Sweetwater County voters will also decide whether to renew its visitor lodging tax. Yellowstone Access: A reported 12-week bottleneck on a primary route to the park could complicate travel plans. Air Service: Cheyenne Regional Airport has added daily flights to Denver, improving connections for travelers.

Beartooth Highway: The scenic route closed Friday, five days earlier than usual, as snow raised safety concerns. Travelers squeezed in one last drive before the seasonal shutdown. Winter Driving: WYDOT is urging drivers to register for its Winter Travel Authorization Program before storms arrive. Approval may allow limited access during some closures, but officials can still deny passage if conditions change. Skywatching: Northern lights may be visible across northern states this weekend, with Montana among the places offering the best chance to see them. Travel Conditions: A cold front is bringing freezing temperatures and mountain snow to Montana, with up to 10 inches possible in the Little Belt Mountains. EV Travel: Wyoming is seeking proposals for federally funded charging stations, aiming to improve access on rural routes, including near Cody and Yellowstone.

Road and Weather Alerts: Beartooth Highway closed for winter at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 9; drivers heading between Red Lodge, Cooke City and Yellowstone’s northeast entrance should take the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. Snow and strong winds are also forecast across the Northern Rockies, so check conditions before mountain trips. Grand Teton: Major League Baseball’s proposed park stadium is dead after widespread opposition, preserving the park from the plan. Visitor Access: Wyoming is seeking private proposals for federally funded EV chargers, with tourism officials saying new stations could ease range worries on rural routes near Cody and Yellowstone. Cheyenne Regional Airport has also added daily Denver flights. Tourism Jobs: UW’s WORTH Institute won a $2.5 million grant for rural training, credentials and paid internships in outdoor recreation, tourism and hospitality. Local Tourism: Sweetwater County voters will decide in November whether to renew the visitor lodging tax.

Roads & Access: Beartooth Highway closes for winter at 2:30 p.m. today, cutting the route between Red Lodge, Cooke City and Yellowstone’s northeast entrance. Drivers should use the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway; Beartooth is expected to reopen in 2027. Cheyenne Regional Airport has added daily flights to Denver, improving access for visitors. Outdoor Recreation: Grand Targhee’s proposed 700-acre expansion is drawing objections over impacts to bighorn sheep habitat, housing, traffic and water as the Forest Service nears a decision. Tourism Workforce: UW’s WORTH Institute won a $2.5 million federal grant for rural pathways into outdoor recreation, tourism and hospitality careers, including paid internships and apprenticeships. Visitor Funding: Sweetwater County voters will decide in November whether to renew the visitor lodging tax. Fall Activities: Cheyenne’s history and hauntings tours are back for October, built around local ghost stories and city history.