A recap of Wyoming Rising in 2024.

You may think a 2024 recap is odd, coming out in April 2025, and I admit to falling behind in my writing. Yet these annual recaps are an important reminder of our activities and impact.

During 2024, we continued to work on our 5 pillars of focus: civil liberties, quality public education, affordable health care, and protection of the environment through participation in Wyoming government. It was an election year and we hit the sidewalks for local candidates. We sponsored several local events and shared information about actions and volunteer opportunities that can make a difference in our world.

We continue to publish a monthly newsletter, write op-eds in the local newspapers, track the Wyoming legislature, and encourage our community to become involved in local politics. Here’s a look at the many ways Wyoming Rising is making a difference in our community:

 

The easiest things we did was to promote events from many other Wyoming organizations including Braver Angels, The Heart Mountain Interpretive Center, Park County School Districts, and Better Wyoming. We shared info about events and webinars hosted by Wyoming’s Equality State Policy Center, University of Wyoming, Wyoming Education Association, and Northwest College.

A large part of the winter’s work went into tracking the 2024 Wyoming Legislature. We sent frequent updates about bills to support and to oppose. We shared information with our subscribers about how bills become law, how to read the Legislature’s website, and how to comment on pending legislation. We tracked how our elected representatives voted on bills that were in alignment or out of sync with Wyoming Rising’s position.

In the spring, we created a media campaign called “Park County Proud” that increased awareness of our organization and explored the values that people in northwest Wyoming hold most dear. Using the results of that campaign helped us craft messages holding Freedom Caucus politicians accountable for their voting record.

In June and July, our members hit the streets canvassing for Landon Greer (Senate District 18), Matt Hall (House District 24), David Northrop (House District 25) and David Hill (House District 50). Sadly none of our preferred candidates made it to the General Election, but we learned a lot about local elections and canvassing.

In September and October, we published a General Election FAQ  with an Elections Guide, and links to WPR and county election websites for our subscribers to see a sample ballot and find their polling locations, how to vote early or absentee, and more.

We wrote about the pros and cons of the constitutional amendment on the Wyoming general election ballot that determines how property tax is determined.

We Joined the 4th of July parade in Powell with a “Participate in Your Government” entry.

We put up billboards in Cody and Powell with the message, If you don’t vote for democracy, who will

 

We put up billboards calling out the Freedom Caucus on health care, public education, and public lands.

We sponsored a film screening and discussion at Northwest College about voting in America: Suppressed and Sabotaged: The Fight to Vote. The film highlights the swelling wave of efforts to subvert voting laws across the U.S.

We hosted a meet-and-greet with Mountain West Regional Director for Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Bill Barron. In his quest to to raise awareness about climate change, engage with local communities, and discuss the economic benefits of transitioning to clean energy, Barron completed a 16-day, 1200-mile cycling journey from Pablo, MT, to Cheyenne, WY.

Come join us in 2025

Our goal is to have an impact on public policy, to inform our neighbors and preserve our community’s integrity. Wyoming Rising welcomes your involvement. You may choose to pay membership dues, make a donation, serve on a committee, attend Wyoming Rising meetings and events, follow our online communications, or engage in a combination of these. Regardless of your preferred role, we need and appreciate your help! You may donate, subscribe to our mailings, and/or join HERE.