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ApprovedStableRisk Index — Q1 2026
Cheyenne / Laramie County — Wyoming
Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming
79/100
LOW RISK
Trajectory: No moratorium activity or significant zoning changes in last 12 months.
Last updated 2026-03-29
Community risk review · approving-market signal
Cheyenne / Laramie County — Wyoming's score is backed by the record of participants driving it.
RealClear computes a Community Impact Score (0–100) for every named participant in this jurisdiction's entitlement record. Approving markets typically carry pro-development CIS leaders at the top of the record — elected executives, planning staff, and economic-development bodies with consistent posture across multiple projects. Open the cross-referenced case files below for the full per-actor weight breakdown.
Investment Thesis
Cheyenne has a dedicated Data Building Code, DC-specific utility tariffs, proactive annexation policy, and no organized opposition. Wyoming House rejected attempt to repeal DC tax exemptions 6-3.
Wyoming has a dedicated Data Building Code, DC-specific utility tariffs, and a legislature that rejected an attempt to repeal data center tax exemptions by 6-3. Cheyenne proactively annexed 923 acres for Microsoft, 960 acres for Meta, and approved a 1,375-acre industrial park for Crusoe/Tallgrass — unanimously. Black Hills Energy operates data center tariff programs starting at 13 MW. The opposition? Scattered concerns about construction noise and water. No project blocked.
Data centers are permitted use in Light Industrial zones. Cheyenne has a dedicated Data Building Code (Chapter 15.24). The city proactively annexes land for DC developers.
Black Hills Energy operates DC-specific tariff programs: 13+ MW large power and 10+ MW blockchain interruptible. 1.5 GW generation capacity. Ready Wyoming 260-mile transmission expansion underway.
Tallgrass is building 2.7 GW of gas generation adjacent to the Crusoe data center site. Laramie County unanimously approved the 1,375-acre Switchgrass Industrial Park.
Wyoming House Revenue Committee rejected HB 88 (repeal DC tax exemptions) by 6-3. The legislature is protecting the industry.
Microsoft has invested $3.1B cumulatively since 2012. One facility produced $200,000+ for local law enforcement.
Dimension Breakdown
How this market scores across four dimensions.
Regulatory Risk
30 pts
Permitted use in LI zones per UDC. City proactively annexed and rezoned: 923 acres for Microsoft, 960 acres for Meta, 1,375 acres for Switchgrass Industrial Park. Dedicated Data Building Code (Chapter 15.24).
Score: 24/30. Permitted use. Proactive annexation. Dedicated Data Building Code. Legislature rejected tax exemption repeal. No moratorium activity.
Infrastructure Readiness
25 pts
Black Hills Energy operates DC-specific tariff programs (13+ MW large power, 10+ MW blockchain interruptible). 1.5 GW generation capacity. Ready Wyoming 260-mile transmission expansion. Tallgrass building 2.7 GW gas generation adjacent to Crusoe site.
Score: 21/25. Black Hills Energy DC-specific tariffs, 1.5 GW generation, 260-mile transmission expansion. Tallgrass building 2.7 GW adjacent. Infrastructure is purpose-built for data centers.
Opposition Density
25 pts
Opposition scattered and unorganized. Hyndman Homesites HOA submitted letter about construction impacts. Farmers raised water concerns. No project blocked, delayed, or forced withdrawal.
Score: 18/25. Scattered and unorganized. Hyndman Homesites HOA letter about construction impacts. Farmer water concerns. No blocking outcomes, but the score is lower than Papillion or Clarksville because documented opposition exists.
Approval Timeline
20 pts
Meta approved November 2023, construction mid-2024. Crusoe/Tallgrass approved unanimously October 2025. Cheyenne LEADS provides business development support.
Score: 16/20. Meta approved November 2023, construction mid-2024. Crusoe/Tallgrass approved unanimously October 2025. Cheyenne LEADS provides business development coordination.
Key Findings
What the evidence supports.
Data centers are permitted use in Cheyenne's Light Industrial zones under the UDC.
City of Cheyenne UDC Article 5Laramie County unanimously approved 1,375-acre Switchgrass Industrial Park for Crusoe/Tallgrass DC and power plant.
Cap City NewsWyoming House Revenue Committee rejected HB 88 (repeal DC tax exemptions) by 6-3 vote.
GovTechIncentives & Programs
Why developers are choosing here.
Wyoming data center sales tax exemption ($5M+ investment)
$5M qualifies for equipment exemption; $50M qualifies for expanded exemption. 30+ states offer comparable or lesser incentives.
SourceMicrosoft $3.1B cumulative investment since 2012
One facility produced $200,000+ for local law enforcement.
SourceKnown Risks
No market is risk-free. Here's what to watch.
The credibility of a favorable score depends on honest risk disclosure. These risks are documented in public records.
Hyndman Homesites HOA raised concerns about construction impacts
Farmers worried about water usage
Electric rate increase fears documented
Recommendation
LOW RISK — Score 79/100
Standard process expected. Proactive local government, dedicated DC infrastructure, and legislative support.
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About This Index
Published Q1 2026RealClear gives real estate development teams cited entitlement research before they commit serious diligence spend. This index scores U.S. markets across four dimensions of data-center entitlement risk: regulatory complexity, infrastructure readiness, community opposition density, and approval timeline. It is market-level triage, not a parcel score. Submit a specific parcel and you get a 24-hour cited brief whose claims trace to primary sources.
Read the full methodology20Markets Scored
15Index States
249+Source-Backed Claims
Ready to screen a property candidate? RealClear returns a 24-hour cited brief covering zoning posture, approval path, community posture, comparable outcomes, open questions, and next questions for counsel, civil, utility, or the local team.