Wyoming residents step up once again to help support nonprofits
UP to everyone who donated to local and statewide nonprofit organizations through the sixth annual WyoGives online donation day July 16.
Thanks to 9,375 donors giving 19,037 gifts, more than $5.67 million was raised for 429 organizations. It’s true that the total includes the $1.1 million incentive pool from the Hughes Charitable Foundation, but even at $4.5 million, the total is a dramatic increase from the $571,000 raised in 2020, the event’s first year.
Much credit goes to the Wyoming Nonprofit Network, which created, organizes, hosts and promotes the event every year. But beyond just raising money, WyoGives has become a learning experience for participating nonprofits, helping them strengthen their outreach strategies and grow their donor base, WNN Executive Director Jody Shields told a Wyoming Tribune Eagle reporter.
It’s great to see so many of the participants and their supporters sending emails, posting on social media, and telling friends and family in person about this important initiative.
And just when you think the state’s generosity may be reaching its peak, another record is broken. Way to go, Wyoming!
Laramie County Fair staff add new events while maintaining focus
UP to Laramie County Fair staff for adding new events to this year’s fair, while maintaining the focus on agriculture producers, home economics skills, and, most of all, the 4-H and FFA programs that generate excitement in the next generation of American farm and ranch owners.
We look forward to the expanded Best of Laramie County contests, the Youth Rodeo, Insanity Fest (with mega trucks) and much more during the event at the Fairgrounds at the Archer Complex from July 30-Aug. 9. We also look forward to perusing the static exhibits and watching Laramie County’s youth demonstrating their showmanship and oratory skills as they present their animals to volunteer judges.
Many of us have firsthand knowledge of the developmental benefits these experiences have for young people, regardless of whether they’re planning a career in agriculture or not. Although they might not always see it that way at the time, a chance to stand in front of an audience and demonstrate their knowledge is invaluable.
Giving it even more impact is the visible support from adults who spend time looking and listening. Even if you don’t know anyone who has entered the various contests, we hope to see as many of you out there over the course of the 11-day event as possible.
UW, CSU need to work together to maintain football Border War game
DOWN to the possibility of a two-year pause in the Border War football rivalry game between the University of Wyoming and Colorado State University.
The programs will meet on the football field for the 80th consecutive season this fall. The historic rivalry game has been played every year but six since the schools started playing football, and every season since World War II. But that may change in 2026.
With CSU set to join the new Pac-12, the rivalry game will no longer be a protected conference matchup. The schools agreed to a scheduling pact last fall, but the agreement doesn’t take effect until 2028.
We strongly encourage leaders at both schools to work together to find a way to bridge the gap and keep this tradition alive.
Kudos to LCSO for helping inmates with mental health issues
UP to Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak, Chief Deputy Perry Rockvam and others in the department for creating and opening a new “special management pod” to help inmates who are suffering from mental health issues and have other high-risk needs.
Designed to be a more calming environment, this new section of the downtown jail facility is a significant upgrade from the cells in the booking room, which were previously used. The walls are painted purple and green, the furniture is softer and filled with sand to prevent anyone from throwing it, and there is a sunlit outdoor space.
The men’s unit holds up to 15 inmates, and the women’s unit can hold up to 10. The goal of these special pods is treatment more than incarceration, with the hope of preventing them from returning to jail.
Critics will say the local sheriff’s department shouldn’t have had to spend $700,000 for this effort, and, in some ways, we agree.
Treatment for people with serious mental health issues is best left to professionals at the Wyoming State Hospital and other facilities. But until those places have enough funding and staff to provide this service, we’re glad to see our local officials making the extra effort to do what they can.