Updated 09.17.26

Thanks to strong support from members and friends, the zone change* for the parcel adjacent to our beloved WHR was denied last evening by the City of Cheyenne Planning Commission.  We thank the Planning Commission members for their willingness to listen to our story and for considering the value of this treasure to our community.  They listened to us and heard our voices.  Thank you to them, and to everyone who participated to date by writing or speaking.

So step #1 was successful … but the work continues and we will continue to need your help and support.  Please consider attending/speaking/writing prior to the meeting on September 28th or October 12th.

Here is the letter that the CHPAS Board provided to Mayor Collins and members of Cheyenne City Council: CHPAS Board Letter to Mayor Collins and City Council

Meeting Dates:  

Cheyenne City Council – Introduction of Ordinance: September 14, 2026 6 p.m. (no public comment)

Public Services Committee: September 21, 2026 noon

**Cheyenne City Council – Second Reading of Ordinance: September 28, 2026  6 p.m.

Public Services Committee: October 5, 2026

**Cheyenne City Council – Final Consideration: October 12, 2026  6 p.m.

Our chapter is invested in our support of WHR and the environmental legacy that Dr. Hales gifted the entire Front Range for so many years.

Lorie Wayne Chesnut, Chapter President

* From City AG to City BP (Business Park)

** These are the most critical meetings to attend/speak/contact Council.

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Dear Members and Friends,

You may remember that our Mission Statement is as follows: The Cheyenne-High Plains Audubon Society promotes the conservation and appreciation of birds and wildlife through education, science, advocacy, and habitat stewardship in Southeast Wyoming.

To that end, we wish to inform you about a request for zoning change which we believe will be detrimental to our beloved Wyoming Hereford Ranch (WHR), an Important Bird Area (IBA).  We are against this change and asking for your help.

On Tuesday, September 8^th at 6:00 p.m., the City of Cheyenne Planning Commission will meet to consider changing a parcel of property adjacent to WHR from City AG to City BP (Business Park).  The proposed use for the land is a data center.  This property is approximately 74 acres and is located at the southeast corner of I-80 and Campstool Road. It is the only corner there not currently developed.

We are concerned about heavy machinery, traffic, and later, issues such as air and water quality, noise, and general disruption to the area.  This location is approximately 0.2 miles from the IBA boundaries and residents.

Here is a link to the Staff Report for that request.  You will see a map on the report that clearly delineates the land in question.

We ask that you contact your City Council members, and/or Planning Commission members.  If you are able to attend the meeting on Tuesday, September 8^th, we would welcome your participation. The CHPAS Board will be sending a formal letter stating our opposition to the zoning change to the Mayor, City Council and Planning Commission members.

If you write and/or speak, please focus on your birding experiences at WHR, how these experiences enrich your life and the lives of others, and support our goal of habitat stewardship of the IBA.  We want to keep the focus on birds and their environment – setting ourselves apart from those who are merely frustrated by the data center influx in general.

If you have questions, please contact us at cheyenneaudubon@gmail.com.