Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Cheyenne public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
8 issues in development
Nisley family farm annexation fight
The Nisley family, facing involuntary annexation of their farm on November 9, told the council the new electric fencing and livestock ordinances address only about two of the eight requests they made after the March 9 meeting. They asked the council to work directly with them and warned livestock will be unprotected during the transition.
Hitching Post District / PRCA headquarters
Cheyenne is backing a roughly $60 million project to bring the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association to a 35-acre campus in a new 415-acre Hitching Post District, backed by $15 million each from Cheyenne Leans and the state plus corporate sponsorships.
Data center regulations in the Unified Development Code
Residents pressed for a town hall and a count of how much of Cheyenne will be data centers; staff agreed to calculate the percentage before the next committee meeting.
HR Ranch / Campstool Road Business Park rezone defeated
A 73-acre rezone next to the Wyoming Hereford Ranch — an Important Bird Area with 257 species — failed 5-4 on second reading after Audubon Society and HR Ranch residents objected. The developer has two weeks before a possible final vote.
Cox Ranch annexation and Skybox data center
A 1,200-acre owner-initiated annexation west of Roundtop Road tied to a possible Via West/Skybox data center drew hours of opposition from Rolling Hills and west-side residents over water, traffic, noise, wildlife and trust in the process. Council postponed it and its two zoning companions to September 14, 2026.
Microsoft Highlands Data Center Annexation
The council approved the largest annexation in Cheyenne's history — 3,459.99 acres — plus Business Park zoning, opening the door to a massive Microsoft data center campus near Sweetgrass. Most public speakers opposed it, citing water, noise, and lost negotiating leverage; supporters cited jobs and tax revenue.
Affordable housing at Converse and Carlson
The council leased 8.37 acres for 50 years to First & Union Apartments LP for a 184-unit affordable housing complex.
Belvoir Ranch development due diligence
Companies can now access the northeast Belvoir Ranch to study soils and environmental conditions, with the amended resolution requiring fee authority and city ownership of study data.