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36th Annual Cheyenne Christmas Parade Presented by Ken Garff Cheyenne BELIEVE IN THE MAGIC NOVEMBER 28, 2026 DOWNTOWN CHEYENNE | 5:30 PM Register a Float Volunteer The Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present the 36th Annual Cheyenne Christmas Parade, happening Saturday, November 28 at 5:30 p.m. in Downtown Cheyenne. This year’s theme is "Believe in the Magic" and the streets will be filled with festive floats, twinkling lights, and plenty of holiday cheer. For more than three decades, the parade has been a cherished tradition that brings families, friends, and neighbors together to celebrate the season and support local businesses. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Ken Garff Cheyenne! GET INVOLVED Volunteer Register a Float Sponsor Our Annual Poinsettia Sale Each year, we sell poinsettias to help fund the safety measures and security personnel that keep the parade running smoothly. Order poinsettias for your office, home, or as a gift for someone in your life. Displaying a Cheyenne Christmas Parade poinsettia in your business or purchasing for friends or clients is a great way to display your community support. We are pleased to provide you with this early opportunity to place an order for your holiday poinsettia for only $30 . Order Deadline: November 15th at 5:00 PM Order Now SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Support 36th Annual Cheyenne Christmas Parade and get your business in front of the whole community. Pick a tier and call 307-638-3388 or email cassieh@cheyennechamber.org to sponsor. Golden Rings $5000 The Golden Rings tier offers significant exposure through live verbal recognition during the parade and a medium-sized logo featured on event banners. Sponsors at this level also receive entry for one included parade float. *Limited Number Availible* Silver Bells $3000 Silver Bells sponsors enjoy mid-level event visibility, including live announced recognition during the festivities and a small logo on event banners. This package also covers full registration for one parade float. *Limited Number Availible* Bronze Ornaments $1000 The Bronze Ornaments package provides localized community visibility with a large name display on event banners. It also includes entry registration for a parade float. *Unlimited* Evergreen Wreaths $500 Designed for accessible local support, the Evergreen Wreaths tier grants entry-level banner recognition featuring a small name display on event signage. *Unlimited*

Supporting business growth through advocacy, connection, and leadership. The Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce is Cheyenne’s voice for business. Build Your Business. Build Your Legacy. In the West's most strategic and opportunity-rich city. JOIN THE CHAMBER GROW YOUR BUSINESS Where Opportunity Has Room to Grow. Cheyenne is not just Wyoming’s capital, it is the Capital of the West, and a modern center of opportunity. In Cheyenne, we don’t just talk about legacy, we build it. And the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce is a driving force behind that momentum, advocating for pro-business policies, supporting enterprise at every stage, and strengthening the free market system that allows businesses and communities to thrive. Here, smart policy, a business-ready climate, and strong leadership come together to create a powerful frontier for growth and economic development. This is the Capital of the West. Come build what lasts. Leading Cheyenne Business Forward. The Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce is the leading voice for business in Cheyenne and across Wyoming. For more than a century, we’ve brought together employers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to advocate for smart policy, strengthen our economy, and create opportunity. We provide a home where businesses connect, collaborate, and lead. By uniting the business community, we amplify its impact, advance civic engagement, and move Cheyenne forward with purpose and momentum. LEARN MORE START YOUR INVESTMENT JOIN US. National Partners VIEW ALL This is Where Legacy Takes Shape. Whether you’re growing, relocating, or leading... Cheyenne is ready. The Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce represents over 1,000 businesses across the region, providing a home for collaboration, innovation, and civic engagement. We connect leaders, amplify voices, and create the opportunities that help your business thrive—because in Cheyenne, growth isn’t just possible, it’s expected. BECOME A MEMBER CONNECT WITH OUR TEAM Stay Informed. Stay Engaged.

Shine a spotlight on the incredible women driving innovation, leadership, and positive change in our community. Signature Event / Women's Leadership Award Shine a spotlight on the incredible women driving innovation, leadership, and positive change in our community. REGISTER SPONSOR Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Leaders. The Women’s Leadership Luncheon is a premier event celebrating the power, grace, and influence of women who are shaping our communities and industries. Honoring trailblazing entrepreneurs, visionary philanthropists, and dynamic leaders, this gathering highlights the indelible impact of women in leadership. From driving innovation to fostering meaningful change, these women are building the foundations of a stronger future. Each year, attendees from across the region—including business leaders, community advocates, and rising stars—come together to toast to the brilliance of women, the strength of sisterhood, and a legacy of inspiration and empowerment. Event Details Date: Friday, December 4, 2026 Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Location: Little America Hotel & Resort, 2800 Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY 82001 Nominations Are Open! Nominations close November 1, 10 pm Nominate a Deserving Women Leader Nominator Information First name* Last name* Company name Email* Phone Next 2025 Award Recipient Lorrell Bellotti Western Vista Credit Union Lorrell Bellotti is a powerhouse of leadership, and we’re thrilled to honor her as the 2025 Women’s Leadership Award Winner! Her vision, dedication, and compassion have sparked meaningful change in Cheyenne, inspiring all who have the privilege to work with her. Leading with heart and purpose, Lorrell is blazing a path toward a brighter, stronger community. 2025 Honorees Tracy Wilson Century 21 Bell Real Estate Morgan Alkire Double H Home Loans Britney Tennant Cheyenne Animal Shelter Dr. Michelle Aldrich State of Wyoming

The Meridian Trust North Star Foundation invites the community to take part in its annual Flags for Heroes fundraiser. This inspiring display celebrates the people who make a difference in our lives—military members, veterans, first responders, healthcare workers, teachers, pastors, mentors, volunteers, nonprofit leaders, friends, family members, and countless others who deserve recognition. For just $20, you can honor a hero by sponsoring a flag in their name. Each sponsored flag includes a personalized keepsake tag sharing your hero’s name and story. This year’s tag was designed by Colorado artist Kendra Hart. Flags will be displayed at Meridian Trust branches from September 2nd through September 12th, creating a powerful tribute to the heroes who strengthen our communities every day. Tags are available for purchase on the North Star Foundation’s website, www.northstarfoundation.com. This year’s event kicks off with a community celebration hosted in partnership with the Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, September 3, at 4:00 p.m. at Meridian Trust’s East Branch in Cheyenne on East Lincolnway. Community members, sponsors, and supporters are invited to attend as we officially honor the heroes represented throughout the display. By honoring a hero, you’ll also be helping neighbors in need. Proceeds from Flags for Heroes support the North Star Foundation’s community assistance programs, including the HEAT (Heat Energy Assistance Trust) program, which helps local families with heating expenses, as well as youth initiatives including the annual college scholarship program. Businesses can also show their support through sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorship levels start as low as $250, offering recognition opportunities and hero tags to honor individuals who have made a difference. Sponsorships help expand the impact of the fundraiser while demonstrating a commitment to the communities we serve. After the display concludes, keepsake tags will be mailed to donors or made available for pickup at their selected branch location. To honor a hero, become a business sponsor, or learn more about the event, visit www.northstarfoundation.com. Contributions may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax advisor regarding your individual situation.

Starting October 1, every business and resident connected to Cheyenne's water system will see higher utility costs. The Cheyenne City Council approved the adjustments on June 8, and with fall approaching, now is the time to understand what's changing and what it means for your bottom line. What's Changing Your water and sewer bill has two components: a monthly service fee based on your meter size, and a volumetric charge based on how much water you actually use. Both are going up — but not the same way for everyone. The monthly service fee increases 3% for all customers, residential and commercial alike. That's the flat charge every customer pays regardless of usage. The volumetric rate — the per-1,000-gallon charge — is increasing for residential customers only this cycle. Standard residential tiers go up 5%, and higher usage tiers increase 9%. Commercial and industrial volumetric rates are not changing this round. For the average residential customer using around 3,000 gallons per month, the Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities estimates the combined impact at about $2.55 more per month. That figure comes directly from BOPU and reflects the service fee increase only — residential customers with higher water usage will see more. For businesses, your increase depends entirely on your meter size. The larger the meter, the higher the service fee — and that fee is going up 3% across all ten meter sizes, from the standard 5/8-inch used by most small businesses up to the 12-inch meters serving heavy industrial operations. This Is Part of a Longer Pattern If this feels familiar, it should. Cheyenne has seen water and sewer rate increases every year for at least the past five years. In 2024, BOPU raised water rates 8% and sewer rates 10%. In 2025, the increases shifted to service fees only — $3 per month for water and $2 per month for sewer — with no volumetric increase that year. This year brings a 3% service fee increase for all customers, which is the most modest fee adjustment in the recent cycle. However, the return of volumetric rate increases for residential customers means some households will feel more of an impact than they did last year. It's also worth noting that BOPU shifted from January 1 to October 1 effective dates starting last year — so if your budgeting has historically accounted for January increases, adjust your planning accordingly. So why does this keep happening? The BOPU is responsible for roughly 730 miles of water mains, 327 miles of sanitary sewer lines, a water treatment plant, two water reclamation facilities, and 40 groundwater wells. That system doesn't maintain itself. Construction costs, chemical prices, and evolving regulatory requirements have all climbed steadily — and Cheyenne's growth has meant ongoing investment in new infrastructure on top of routine maintenance. Recent projects have included a new water storage tank in northeast Cheyenne, pipeline replacements, sewer rehabilitation across multiple areas of the city, and a new hydroelectric generator at the Sherard Water Treatment Plant to reduce long-term energy costs. None of it is funded by taxes. The BOPU operates entirely on rates and fees — every dollar that goes into maintaining or expanding the system comes directly from customer bills. What About Data Centers? It's a question coming up in community conversations right now, so it's worth addressing directly. Data centers are commercial customers. They pay water and sewer bills and will see the same 3% service fee increase as every other customer. They are not exempt. City officials have stated publicly that large industrial users, including data centers, are required to pay for the infrastructure costs associated with serving their operations — those costs do not get passed to other ratepayers. Data centers currently account for a small percentage of Cheyenne's overall municipal water consumption according to figures cited by city officials during recent public meetings. What is driving the rate increases hitting businesses and residents this fall is the same thing that has driven increases for the past several years: the ongoing cost of maintaining and expanding a water and sewer system that serves a growing city. One Thing Worth Understanding About Commercial Rates Residential customers pay a tiered volumetric rate — the more water used, the higher the per-gallon cost. It's designed to encourage conservation. Commercial and industrial customers pay a single flat rate per 1,000 gallons regardless of volume. That means there's no escalating penalty for higher usage, but also no built-in rate incentive to reduce consumption. If water is a meaningful operating cost for your business, efficiency improvements are worth evaluating on their own merits — not because the rate structure will punish you for using more, but because the base cost is now higher than it was. What to Do Before October 1 Pull your most recent BOPU utility bill. Your meter size is listed there — knowing it tells you exactly which service fee applies to your account. If you're not sure how to read your bill, BOPU's customer service line is 307-637-6460. From there, look at your average monthly water consumption. Businesses where water is a significant operating cost — restaurants, laundromats, car washes, manufacturers, landscaping operations — should factor the October increase into budget planning now rather than absorbing it as a surprise. One more thing worth doing before fall: check for leaks. Any undetected leak in your facility means you're paying the new higher rate on wasted water starting October 1. BOPU has leak detection resources available at cheyennebopu.org. Current rate information for businesses is available at cheyennebopu.org/Business/Billing-Rates/Water-Sewer-Rates. Sources: Cheyenne City Council — June 8, 2026 Agenda Item 12, Water and Sewer Rate Ordinance (Supporting Document PDF): cheyenne.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=5&event_id=1419&meta_id=148375 Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities — Business Billing & Rates: cheyennebopu.org/Business/Billing-Rates/Water-Sewer-Rates Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities — Board Projects: cheyennebopu.org/About-Us/Board-Projects Wyoming News Now — Cheyenne water and sewer rates increase this October: wyomingnewsnow.tv/news/cheyenne-water-and-sewer-rates-increase-this-october/article_249b295c-8107-48bb-94b9-90762b8d767e.html Wyoming Tribune Eagle — BOPU: Water and sewer rates to increase effective Oct. 1: wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/bopu-water-and-sewer-rates-to-increase-effective-oct-1/article_7c793992-5212-432f-a622-8d534df75f6a.html

All the Disquietude about Data Centers! If you ever wondered why there are so many data centers in the world and you just looked up the meaning of disquietude on your phone……. well, that’s the reason. Okay, I admit that is way too simplified, as AI data centers (hyperscale) facilities have come on board, it changed the game. AI has been a change for the entire planet, from military platforms like pilotless airplanes (drones) to accounting and healthcare, to personal household management, all have been impacted by artificial intelligence. Certainly, there is a natural proclivity to give a side eye to rapid or extreme change, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. After 40 years of “Terminator” and its follow-on franchise films, how can any human not be a little skeptical of what these behemoth data facilities might bring to our community. The local response has been a bit more visceral; concerns about power bills, water availability, safety of our kids, and losing the wild Wyoming we all love are all concerns. Amid all of this, we have had government agencies around the country do less than a stellar job of informing the public of what’s happening to them. The once mundane event of locating a new company in town has become a point of tragedy, dishonesty, and even emotional upset and distrust. Where do we go from here? I always find it best to return to foundational principles when there are questions of economic efficiency and government. Regardless of political bloviation or outrageous claims of progress or disaster, your chamber is committed to building a better future for all our people. With the aforementioned in mind, let’s look at the principles that should guide American business in this conversation. Free enterprise and capitalism should be our north star. If we want to have a great future, neither data centers nor any business is the answer, but together, they are the ultimate answer. Business is itself a worthwhile pursuit, and we should work to create an environment that celebrates the pursuit of business, both large and small, and makes it as easy as possible to build those firms. Data Centers or any type of company is neither our savior nor our devil. Companies play by the rules that our community, our nation, and our state put in the rule book. So many times, certainly in this case, the public has become irritable about the rules or lack thereof perpetuated by the regulating governmental body. If we don’t like the way things are developing, we should aim our efforts at the governing authority, not the business that is playing by the rules we set up. Once the regulated environment meets the needs of the community, state, or nation, the business can decide if they want to take on the risk promulgated within that jurisdiction. Transparency from government in times of change is paramount, and as a business organization, we should demand it. Regardless of the change, a new missile system, a data center build, or a drought that requires water conservation, a republic demands accountability. I understand this isn’t easy in today’s dynamic climate, but we should demand clarity and honesty from the “ruling class” regardless of it being easy or comfortable to accomplish the goal. We should fight for business but maintain ethical humanity while we do so. Chambers should fight for business, but not at the cost of the community. Business and Community are symbiotic. One cannot thrive without the other. When we sacrifice, the other is sure to pay a deep price. We are in this together; let’s not pretend that the benefit to one is somehow paramount. Maintain our principles, maintain our principles, maintain our principles. Let me say it one more time, maintain our principles. Regardless of who or what is involved, we should work to uphold our principles and carry them out with honor. Enough Said!! Here is the deal, folks: Data Centers are a part of our future! The horse is already out of the barn and running down the road on this one. The question is what will our future look like with them as our neighbors. We have choices. If we need to modify a few regulations to guide data centers to be better neighbors and corporate citizens, then let’s do that. Future generations are depending on us, so let’s get to work.