The Bighorn Mountain Advantage: From Education to Economy

More Than Just a View

I am lucky enough to have a narrow view of the Bighorns from my home office window, but as most of you know, I’d much rather be in them. Whether I’m skiing, biking, or backpacking, our mountains are where I go to recharge.

This week, I learned that I’m not the only one using our peaks as a selling point. I sat down with folks at Sheridan College to discuss their “Bighorn Mountain Advantage.” By offering in-state tuition and reduced living rates to out-of-state students, the college is using our natural backyard to recruit the next generation of Wyoming’s workforce. When I ask newcomers “Why Sheridan?”, they almost always point to a past visit for a hike, a family reunion, or their college years. By bringing students here now, we are planting the seeds for our future neighbors and professionals.

The “Backyard” Economy

I also had the pleasure of meeting with Shawn Parker at Sheridan Travel & Tourism. While I knew they promoted our area, I was blown away by the depth of their work. From our historic downtown to outdoor adventures, their efforts are working. In 2025 alone, the visitor economy brought in $165.8 million in spending and supported 1,100 direct jobs in our industry.

If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend their YouTube series, “The Backyard.“ It perfectly captures why we love this place. I even got out to enjoy my own “backyard” this past Sunday with a brisk, beautiful hike on the Soldier Ridge Trail.

Campaign Signs are Sprouting!

Much like the spring flowers in my garden, our campaign signs are beginning to sprout all across District 51!

If you would like to host a sign at your home or business, please let me know. My volunteers and I come fully prepared with posts, cable ties, and tools—we’ll handle the heavy lifting and place it exactly where you’d like it.