What’s New
News from the Cody Front Porch
Park County Offices - Temporary Locations due to HVAC Install
Park County has determined that a new Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system needs to be installed to replace the current system. The current system is 30+ years old and has been failing regularly. As such, local contractors have been retained to replace the system in the courthouse. During the replacement, the courthouse will have to be vacated and the offices relocated to other county buildings. The project is slated to take approximately a year starting in October of 2023.
The county offices will be splitting up and moving to one of several locations. These locations are as follows:
The EOC (Emergency Operations Center) 1131 11th St., Cody
Clerk's Office Relocation to this address.
Elections Relocation to this address.
Treasurer's Relocation to this address.
The Park County Complex/Library 1501 Stampede Ave., Cody
Park County Planning and Zoning department, Suite 2201
Park County Assessor, Suite 3240
The Old Game and Fish Building 2820 Highway 120, Cody
Park County Public Works office, they will be in the modular offices on the north side of the building.
Public Health will move to the Coroner Building.
The Park County Commissioners will be relocating their meeting room from its current location to the Park County Complex's Grizzly Hall located in the Cody Library.
Introducing the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce retirement plan experience!
Cody Country Chamber of Commerce is committed to providing our members the right solutions for your businesses — solutions that bring you economy of scale, show clear value for money spent, save you time, help reduce risk, and help you show your employees that you value what matters to them. This benefit will be available to businesses large and small, as long as the business is located in Park County and is a current member of either the Cody Chamber or Powell Chamber.
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Lincoln Financial Group to deliver a new, Cody WY Chamber of Commerce 401(k) program.
Here’s what you’ll experience with the new Cody WY Chamber of Commerce 401(k) program:
Access to potential pricing and service efficiencies — economies of scale
Less administrative work, as you hand off many of the responsibilities that come with running a 401(k), including filing Form 5500 and employee loans
Relief from many fiduciary obligations, while maintaining your current plan design — or changing to a plan design that works for you
Join us in September on Thursday the 28th for another in person informational session. There you'll learn about the new Cody Country Chamber of Commerce 401(k) program from Lincoln Financial Representative Sasha L. Underwood and Ben Payton of Absaroka Wealth Management. If you have questions about the new program, they'll be happy to answer them!
Yellowstone National Park - Road Information
All entrances are open to Yellowstone at this time. Roads are scheduled to close for the season around October 31, 2023 (weather dependent). Only the North Entrance to Northeast Entrance road inside the park stays open year-round. Snowmobile season in the park is scheduled to start on December 15, 2023.
You can also take scenic drives on US-212 to Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY-296) and either go west into Cooke City and the NE entrance, or east along the Beartooth Highway (US-212).
Stay informed
We encourage visitors to bookmark the Yellowstone National Park - Park Roads page for reference before visiting the Park. For up-to-date information, call (307) 344-2117 for recorded information, or sign up to receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting "82190" to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions). Anticipate possible road closures due to inclement weather and dangerous driving conditions.
Visitors can also visit these webcams within the Park to gauge current weather conditions.
Help Shape the Future of Wyoming’s Outdoor Recreation Landscape: Take the 2023 Outdoor Recreation User Survey!
People that complete this 15-minute survey by October 1, will be entered into a raffle for a FREE YETI Roadie cooler.
The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources' Division of Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites & Wyoming State Trails, and Wyoming Outdoor Recreation are seeking input on recreation needs and priorities through the 2023 Outdoor Recreation User Survey.
The user survey aims to gather input on the wants, needs, and priorities regarding outdoor recreation in Wyoming. The results of the survey will inform the 2023 Wyoming Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The 2023 SCORP aims to identify and address the outdoor recreation needs of Wyoming’s residents and visitors and will help secure substantial funding for local recreation projects.
Questions about the project? Please contact Patrick Harrington with Wyoming State Parks at patrick.harrington@wyo.gov.
Shoshone National Forest - Fee Change Proposal
The Shoshone National Forest is proposing fee changes at recreation sites across the forest. Existing campground fees have been in place since 2006. The public is invited to comment on the below proposals in one of a variety of formats:
Submit a comment by visiting https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=c6ccf2cf19e44e39995868ccf0ce70fc
Comment cards will also be provided at the District office, campgrounds, and Sunlight Rangers Cabin. Please mail your comment cards to Shoshone Forest Service, Attention: Paul Rau, 808 Meadow Lane Avenue, Cody, WY 82414
Oral comments must be provided in person at the Shoshone National Forest to Paul Rau during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) or by calling 307-578-5140 indicating you would like to provide comments on the proposed recreation fee changes.
Full information and proposed rate changes on their website.
Cody Fireworks Committee - Support Information
The Cody Fireworks Show has been a celebrated tradition in Cody Country for a very long time. Over the years, the fundraising for our patriotic tradition has been through many changes… The constant however, is that the show depends on the support of the community; without it, the show simply would not go on.
The Cody Fireworks Committee is the latest group to take up the project of raising funds for our annual fireworks celebration. It is their goal to develop a long-term plan to ensure our celebration of independence continues.
Donations are tax-deductible and can be made to:
Payable to: Cody Commerce Foundation
With “Cody Fireworks Committee” in the memo of your check
Mailed to:
Cody Fireworks Committee
PO Box 1622
Cody, Wyoming 82414
Follow the Committee on Facebook for news about their progress!
Cody Country Chamber of Commerce Announces New CEO.
EJ House to lead Cody Country Chamber of Commerce Forward. This week at the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Meeting, the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce announced its new CEO. EJ House will assume the duties of former CEO, Tina Hoebelheinrich.
EJ served a rewarding career in the US Air Force. Following his military service, EJ worked in federal civilian service and private sector business financial services and real estate. He has a deep background in entrepreneurial initiatives, business consulting, operations management, and technology security.
EJ completed private sector education in aviation technology and business administration. He completed his graduate studies in business at Webster University. He completed his advanced military and command leadership studies at Air University which is the educational institution of the U.S. Air Force.
He is a dedicated veteran advocate and community builder having served in roles for the American Legion, Boy Scouts of America, and County Elections in the metro Washington, D.C. area. He is a dedicated supporter of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Commemorative Air Force, Canine Companions for Independence and the National D-Day Memorial.
WYDOT Updates & Projects
There are three WYDOT area projects that motorists will need to be aware of in the Cody vicinity this summer.
Work on a 5.28-mile highway settlement repair project is continuing west of Cody, adjacent to Buffalo Bill Reservoir. The $5.9 million project is located on US14/16/20 between Trout Creek (milepost 36.41) and Buffalo Bill State Park Campground and Boat Launch (milepost 41.69).
With settlement repairs beginning at 4 locations, traffic is being narrowed to 1 lane and will be controlled by temporary traffic signals or flaggers, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with reduced speeds of 20 mph. Motorists should expect a 2-minute delay during non-working hours at these 4 settlement locations.
Motorists should expect a maximum cumulative delay of up to 15 minutes during all work on the project, and there will be a 12-foot width restriction on the project. All work, except reclamation and other work, is required to be complete by Aug. 31.
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Bridge rehabilitation over the Shoshone River on WY120 near the law enforcement center. The bridge work will require a single lane for traffic over the bridge for several months while work is being completed on half of the bridge. Traffic movements will be controlled with portable traffic signals. Work will be in two phases, west half closed first, with a 10 ft width restriction and two way traffic. This project is slated to run May 31 through September 30.
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Night work and removal and replacement of the existing lighting system inside the big tunnel west of Cody on US14/16/20 is continuing.
Project work is at night, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., 6 days a week, in a 153-calendar-day window. During the 153-day project, motorists should expect one-way traffic movements with a pilot vehicle and flaggers during working hours and cumulative delays of up to 10 minutes. Traffic will be returned to two-way traffic with no delay during non-working hours.
Project limits for the lighting project begin at milepost 45 (west end of the big tunnel), extending 1 mile east (east end of the short tunnels) toward Cody at milepost 46. Contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2023.
Follow WYDOT District 5 on Facebook for updates and project information.
Wyoming State Park Permits 2023
We are an authorized vendor for these permits. Locals - please bring along your vehicle registration information and your Wyoming driver's license to confirm your in-state residency. Additional vehicle or replacement permits registered to same household are only offered in person with proof of original receipt!
WY Resident Permit Fees for 2023:
$48 Day Use
$24 Additional Day Use Permits
$80 Overnight Camping
$40 Additional Overnight Camping Permits
Non-Resident Permit Fees for 2023:
$96 Day Use
$48 Additional Day Use Permits
More information (and the option to purchase online) on State Park Permits can be found on the State Parks website. Annual day use and camping permits are available through Reserve America or by phone at 877-996-7275. Customers will receive a permit number at the time of checkout, and can expect permits to ship directly to them.
Brown Cody Bucks - No Longer Valid or Exchangeable!
Brown Cody Bucks, last issued back in June of 2019, are no longer valid as of July 1, 2022. Due to changing banks and those new bank processing rules, we can no longer exchange ANY Brown Cody Bucks.
Cody Bucks should be used within six months of their date of issue. If you have outdated Green Cody Bucks, those are still valid for exchange at this time. If you possess Green Cody Bucks that are outdated, please stop by the Chamber to exchange them. For large quantities, we ask that you contact us in advance, so that we may prepare your exchange prior to your arrival.
Cody Bucks work like a pre-paid check, help ensure local spending and help feed our economy! Please, remember to use Cody Bucks within 6 months of the stamped issue date!
Annual Banquet Awards Presented on February 23, 2023.
Each year, the Chamber acknowledges excellence in our business community by recognizing outstanding leaders during the annual banquet. The 2022 awards were presented at the Chamber’s 121st Founder's Day Banquet on February 23, 2023.
2022 Board Member of the Year
Greg Pendley
2022 The Scout Award
Claudia Wade
2022 Ambassador Chair Service Award
Sarah Reisch
2022 Business of the Quarter
Q1: The Scout Inn
Q2: Nature's Design Taxidermy
Q3: Treasured Memories
Q4: Richard Realty
2022 Business of the Year
Treasured Memories
Congratulations to all our winners!